Passport Photo Pixel & File Specs — 600 × 750 px, 50KB–10MB

For an online passport application, the photo rules are measurable: at least 600 × 750 pixels, a file between 50KB and 10MB, taken within the last month, in colour and unaltered by computer software. This guide sets out each number and the exceptions for babies and children, from GOV.UK’s official photo guidance.

The five measurable rules

GOV.UK lists the quality of the digital photo as a short, checkable set:

Clear and in focus.
In colour.
Unaltered by computer software.
At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall.
At least 50KB and no more than 10MB.

Everything else — background, expression, glasses, babies — sits alongside these. The numbers above are the ones an automated file check catches first.

Pixel dimensions: 600 × 750 as a minimum

The dimension rule reads “at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall”. That wording matters: 600 × 750 is a floor, not a fixed frame. A larger image passes, provided it stays inside the 10MB ceiling. The frame is portrait, so a standard phone photo is already the right shape — the risk is being under the minimum, not over it.

File size: 50KB to 10MB

A file that is too small is rejected just like one that is too big. Keep the finished image between 50KB and 10MB. Check the size in the file’s properties before uploading; if it is over, compress it while keeping at least 600 × 750 pixels. Our digital file requirements guide covers the compression side.

Taken within the last month

The photo must have been taken in the last month, and you must get a new photo when you get a new passport, even if your appearance has not changed. An older photo is a rejection reason even when the pixels and file size are perfect, so shoot fresh. See the photo validity guide for how recency interacts with application timing.

Unaltered by computer software

“Unaltered” is a rule about editing, not about size. It rules out retouching your face, removing blemishes or beautifying the image. Cropping is handled differently: if you take the photo yourself, you must not crop it — the application crops it for you. The editing rules guide sets out what counts as alteration.

Why the spec is in pixels, not print resolution

People often look for a print-resolution number, but the official rules do not set one. They are written as pixel dimensions and a file-size range, because those are exactly what the online submission checks. Work to 600 × 750 pixels and 50KB–10MB rather than to any print figure. If you also need a paper photo, that is a separate 35 × 45 mm standard — see digital vs paper.

What the photo must show

Beyond the numbers, the photo must contain no other objects or people, be taken against a plain light-coloured background in clear contrast to you, and have no red eye and no shadows on your face or behind you. Face forwards, look straight at the camera, keep a plain expression with your mouth closed, eyes open and visible, no hair in front of your eyes, no covering on your head (unless for religious or medical reasons) and nothing covering your face. Avoid glasses unless you must wear them; if you do, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted, and your eyes must not be hidden by frames or glare. For the full walkthrough, see how to take a passport photo.

Babies and children: the exceptions

Children must be on their own in the picture, and babies must not hold toys or use dummies. Three age-based exceptions apply:

Under 6: they do not have to look directly at the camera or hold a plain expression.
Under 1: their eyes do not have to be open.
Under 1: you can support the head with your hand, but your hand must not be visible in the photo, and the baby should lie on a plain light-coloured sheet with the photo taken from above.

Our baby and child rules guide goes deeper on framing and lighting for young children.

Before you upload — a short check

At least 600 × 750 pixels.
File 50KB–10MB.
Taken within the last month.
Colour, clear, in focus, not retouched.
Plain light background, no shadows, no red eye, no other people.
Do not crop a self-taken photo — the application crops it.
Run the file past the passport photo checker before you submit.

Frequently asked questions

What pixel size does a passport photo need to be?
At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall. That is a minimum, not a fixed size, so a larger image is fine as long as it stays inside the file-size limit.

What is the file size limit for a digital passport photo?
At least 50KB and no more than 10MB. Files below 50KB or above 10MB fail the check even if the dimensions are right.

How recent must the photo be?
It must have been taken in the last month. You also must get a new photo when you get a new passport, even if your appearance has not changed.

Can I retouch or edit my passport photo?
No. The photo must be unaltered by computer software, which rules out retouching your face, softening blemishes or beautifying the image.

Is there a required print resolution?
The official rules do not set a print-resolution figure. They are written as pixel dimensions and a file-size range, because those are what the online system checks. Work to 600 x 750 pixels and 50KB to 10MB rather than to a print number.

Can I use a photo taken on my phone?
Yes, if it meets every rule. If you use your own device, include your head, shoulders and upper body, and do not crop it, as the cropping is done for you. Photos from a booth or shop are more likely to be approved.

What are the photo rules for babies and children?
Children must be on their own, and babies must not hold toys or use dummies. Children under 6 do not have to look directly at the camera or hold a plain expression, and children under one do not have to have their eyes open. You can support a baby's head with your hand, but the hand must not be visible.

Why was my photo rejected even though the size was right?
The dimensions are only one check. The photo must also be clear and in focus, in colour, unaltered, on a plain light-coloured background with no shadows, red eye or other people, and taken within the last month.

All guides → Check my photo →

Source: GOV.UK / HM Passport Office, “Get a passport photo” (gov.uk/photos-for-passports), retrieved 2026-10-01. Rules can change — confirm the current guidance before you apply.