UK & EU Passport Photo Size: 35x45 mm = 413×531 Pixels (2026)
Published July 2026 · 4 min read · ID Photos
The answer first: UK passport photos are 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall (3.5 × 4.5 cm) — at 300 DPI that is 413 × 531 pixels. Digital applications accept a JPEG between 50 KB and 10 MB. The same 35 × 45 mm format is used across the EU and Schengen area, so one correctly-sized photo covers the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and most of Europe.
| Parameter | UK requirement | EU / Schengen |
|---|---|---|
| Physical size | 35 × 45 mm | 35 × 45 mm |
| Pixels at 300 DPI | 413 × 531 px | 413 × 531 px (min 400 × 514) |
| Digital file | JPEG · 50 KB – 10 MB | Varies by country; JPEG standard |
| Face height | 70–80% of frame (29–34 mm) | 70–80% (ICAO 9303 biometric) |
| Background | Plain cream or white | White or light grey, uniform |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Neutral (biometric requirement) |
| Glasses | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Make a compliant 35×45 photo in your browser
The free Passport Photo tool outputs the UK/EU standard directly: upload any photo, position your face within the 70–80% guides, download a 413 × 531 px JPEG at 300 DPI. It runs entirely in your browser, so an ID photo containing your biometric face data is never uploaded anywhere. Under the 50 KB digital minimum? That only happens with tiny source images — use the Upscale tool first, then re-crop.
What the UK automated checker rejects
The gov.uk online service runs an automated check before a human sees your photo. The usual failures: shadows on the background (shoot in diffuse daylight facing a window, never with flash against the wall), face too small or too large (the 70–80% rule), head tilted, and cream backgrounds photographed as grey under poor light. A plain white wall in indirect daylight passes most reliably.
Country quirks within the 35×45 standard
Germany requires eyes symmetrically positioned and applies the biometric template strictly. France requires the photo be under 6 months old and prints a specific background shade reference. Ireland's online service accepts 35 × 45 mm scans between 715 × 951 px and 2096 × 2800 px. When in doubt, the physical 35 × 45 mm format at 300 DPI satisfies the paper application in every EU member state.
Applying elsewhere? See the US 2×2 inch guide, the India 51×51 mm guide, or the all-countries reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UK passport photo size in pixels?
413 × 531 pixels — that is 35 × 45 mm at 300 DPI. For the digital UK application the JPEG must be between 50 KB and 10 MB. The same 35 × 45 mm size applies to EU and Schengen passports.
What is the UK passport photo size in cm?
3.5 × 4.5 cm (35 × 45 mm) — width by height. The face from chin to crown must occupy 70–80% of the frame height, roughly 29–34 mm.
Is the EU passport photo the same size as the UK?
Yes — 35 × 45 mm is the ICAO-derived standard used by the UK and nearly all EU/Schengen countries including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands and Poland. Some countries add extra rules, like Germany's eye-position symmetry requirement.
How do I make a 35x45 mm photo at home for free?
Use the free Passport Photo tool: select the UK/EU standard, upload a photo taken against a plain light background, position your face inside the guides, and download a 413 × 531 px JPEG at 300 DPI. Nothing is uploaded — it runs in your browser.