Want to make pictures, drawings, and logos smaller for use on the web or an email signature? Find out here how to resize an image in MS Paint without much fuss and for free.
First, Whistler’s Handle
And what lovely a handle it was, seen during the development of was then known as Windows Whistler on both sides of the trash can icon.
The can lost its lovely handles with the release of Windows XP—but MS Paint (also on Windows XP) is still around; so, let’s grab images by imaginary handles and stretch (or shrink) them to size:
How to Resize an Image in MS Paint
Using Paint 3D? How to resize an image in Paint 3D
Time needed: 3 minutes
To resize an image in Microsoft Paint:
- Open the image in Paint.
Here’s how: Click with the right mouse button and select Edit.
- On the Home ribbon tab, click Resize and skew (or Resize) in the Image section.
Paint keyboard shortcut: You can also press Ctrl W to open the image resizing dialog in Paint.
- Select Pixels under By:.
- Make sure Maintain aspect ratio is enabled (or checked).
- Enter the maximum width under Horizontal: or the maximum height under Vertical:.
- Click OK.
- Click File.
- Select Save from the menu that has appeared.
New image: Select Save as, of course, to save the resized image as a new file (and keep the original full-resolution image).
How to Resize an Image in MS Paint: FAQ
How do I resize an image to 2×2 or another square?
To shape an image into a square, say 2×2 format:
- If the image is not yet a square, crop it into one.
- Resize the image as above, if needed.
How big: 2×2 inches is
600×600 px at 300 dpi (preferred and highly suggested for printing),
300×300 px at 150 dpi and
192×192 px at 96 dpi resolution (the standard in Paint)
How do I resize an image to 4×6 in Paint?
To resize an image to 4×6 dimensions:
- Do crop the image to the 4×6 format if necessary.
- Now resize the image as you require for further use.
How big: 4×6 inches is
1200×1800 px at 300 dpi (best for print),
600×900 px at 150 dpi and
384×576 px at 96 dpi resolution
Will resizing reduce the file size?
Yes.
For a typical JPEG image, you can calculate a rough, usually close enough guess like so:
Example: Shrinking a 3 Mb file in half results in a file of roughly 750 Kb (3000 MB × 0.5 × 0.5).
Looking for more of less? Compress images by 70–90% for free with online image compression sites; here are the best ones selected and reviewed.
Can I change the resolution (DPI) in Paint?
No.
There is no easy way to change the dots per inch-resolution of a file. Paint will always work and save in 96 dpi.
You can, of course, change the resolution after editing in Paint with an online tool such as Convert.Town’s.
(How to resize an image in MS Paint tested with Microsoft Paint for Windows Version 11.2304–11.2311 and Version 2004; updated February 2024)