UK passport photo online
For an online UK passport application you need a digital colour photo at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, between 50 KB and 10 MB, on a plain light-coloured background. Don't crop it tightly: GOV.UK wants your head, shoulders and upper body and crops the photo itself.
Your photo never leaves your phone
- Stand about 1.5 m in front of a plain, light wall.
- Face a window or a bright light so both sides of your face are lit.
- Ask someone to take it with the phone at your eye level. Selfies are often rejected.
- Glasses off, hair away from your eyes, mouth closed, no smile.
Ready offline. Turn on airplane mode and it still works, which shows your photo isn't uploaded.
Line up your head and shoulders with the outline. Keep the phone at eye level, about 1.5 m away.
Finding your face…
Rules last checked against the official page on 12 November 2026.
UK passport (online) photo rules
- At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
- File size between 50 KB and 10 MB
- In colour, clear and in focus, taken within the last month
- Plain light-coloured background with no shadows
- Head, shoulders and upper body visible. Don't crop it yourself
- Face forward, plain expression, mouth closed, eyes open and visible
- No glasses unless you have to wear them, and never tinted. No glare over your eyes
- Headwear only for religious or medical reasons
- Not altered by computer software: no filters, retouching or background changes
Source: GOV.UK: Photos for passports. SkipTheBooth helps you meet these rules but can't guarantee your photo will be accepted.
Questions
Can I take my UK passport photo at home with my phone?
Yes. GOV.UK accepts digital photos taken at home, as long as they meet the rules. It's easier if someone else takes the photo for you, standing about 1.5 metres away with the phone at your eye level.
Why doesn't SkipTheBooth crop my passport photo tightly?
GOV.UK asks for your head, shoulders and upper body and crops the photo itself. SkipTheBooth leaves that space around you on purpose.
Can SkipTheBooth change my background to white?
No. UK passport photos must not be altered by computer software, and an edited background can get your application rejected. SkipTheBooth only crops and resizes, so stand in front of a plain light wall instead.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything happens in your browser. Once the page has loaded you can turn on airplane mode and the tool still works.