Passport photos in the US and the UK: sizes, backgrounds and the rules behind them
November 9, 2026 · 6 min read
A passport photo looks simple: a face on a plain background. Yet photos are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed. The rules come from the same international standard (ICAO Document 9303), which is why they look so similar everywhere, but the details differ from country to country. Here is what the United States and the United Kingdom ask for, and how to meet it.
Size and background
| Country | Photo size | Background | Official guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | White | travel.state.gov |
| United Kingdom | 35 × 45 mm | Light grey | gov.uk |
The US photo is square; the UK photo is the portrait format used across most of Europe and many other countries. In the US, the head (from chin to the top of the hair) must measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches.
What every passport photo needs
- A recent photo that shows you as you look now.
- Face straight to the camera, centred, with the whole head and the top of the shoulders visible.
- A neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible.
- Even lighting: no shadows on the face or behind the head, no red eyes, no reflections.
- A plain background in the required colour, without patterns or objects.
- No hats or head coverings, except for religious or medical reasons; the face must stay fully visible.
- Glasses: the US no longer accepts glasses in passport photos, except for documented medical reasons. Many other authorities also ask you to take them off to avoid glare.
- An unedited photo. Correcting brightness is fine; changing your face, smoothing skin or using filters is not.
Why the rules are so strict
Passport photos are checked by face-recognition systems at border gates and by officers comparing your face with the chip in the passport. Shadows, tilted heads and coloured backgrounds make that comparison unreliable, so authorities reject them.
Printed or digital?
Paper applications need a printed photo at the exact size. Online applications usually want a digital file instead, often with its own limits on pixels and file size. Check which one your application needs before you take the photo.
Making a compliant photo at home
- Stand about a metre in front of a plain wall, facing a window for soft, even light. Ask someone else to take the photo at eye level.
- Open Passport photo maker and choose your country, for example US passport photo or UK passport photo. The crop frame has the right size and head position.
- Replace an uneven background with plain white or light grey, if your country allows a digital background.
- Download the photo as a JPG, or as a print sheet for a photo lab. If an online form sets a file-size limit, finish with Compress image.
Everything happens in your browser, so the photo of your face is never uploaded anywhere.
Rules change
Authorities update their requirements from time to time. Before you apply, check the official guidance linked above. The photo specs page lists the sizes of more than 40 countries with links to their official sources.