
Changing the dimensions of a photo in Microsoft Paint is a straightforward task. You can use it on any version of Windows, and it's free. To resize an image, first, make a copy of the original image. Then, open the copy in Paint and click the Resize button in the toolbar at the top of the window. In the Resize and Skew dialog box, select the Maintain aspect ratio check box to ensure the resized image doesn't get distorted. Finally, enter a percentage in the Horizontal or Vertical text box to shrink or expand the image.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Software | Microsoft Paint, Paint 3D, or Watermarkly |
| Image type | JPG, PNG, WEBP |
| Image dimensions | Width and height can be entered in pixels or as a percentage |
| Aspect ratio | Can be maintained by selecting the "Maintain aspect ratio" checkbox |
| Cropping | Can be done to remove excess parts of the image while maintaining its resolution |
| Copying | It is recommended to make a copy of the original image before resizing |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Make a copy of the original photo
It is important to make a copy of the original photo before you begin resizing it in Paint. This ensures that you always have the original image in its original size.
To make a copy of the image, start by locating the image file on your computer. Once you've found the image, right-click on it and select "Copy" from the drop-down menu. Then, right-click on an empty space in the same folder or on your desktop and choose "Paste" from the menu. This will create a duplicate of your original image file.
Now that you have a copy of the image, you can safely open it in Paint without modifying the original. To do this, right-click on the copy of the image and select "Open with" from the menu. Choose "Paint" from the list of programs that appears.
With the copy of your image open in Paint, you can now proceed to resize it without affecting the original photo.
Making a copy of the original photo is a crucial step in preserving the original image file. By following these steps, you can ensure that you have a backup of the image in its original state before making any modifications.
Applying Kryolan TV Paint Stick: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Open the photo in Paint
To change the dimensions of a photo in Paint, you will first need to open the photo in the Paint application.
To do this, locate the image file on your computer and right-click on it. In the drop-down menu that appears, hover over "Open with" and then select "Paint" from the pop-out menu.
Opening your image in Paint is the first step to resizing or cropping your image. Paint is a simple graphics editor that can be used to change the pixel dimensions of your image. You can use Paint to make your image smaller or larger, and you can enter new values for both the width and height of your image.
It's important to note that if you enter new values for both width and height, the original aspect ratio of your image may not be maintained, and it could end up looking stretched out. To avoid this, you can ensure the “Maintain aspect ratio” box is checked before entering new values. This will ensure that the resized image retains the same aspect ratio as the original.
By opening your image in Paint, you've taken the first step towards customizing your image to meet your desired size requirements. Now you can explore the various tools within Paint to adjust the dimensions of your photo.
Create a Stunning Maple Sunburst Guitar Finish
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Click 'Resize'
To change the dimensions of a photo in Paint, you must first open the image in the application. It is recommended that you make a copy of the image you want to resize so that you still have the original version.
Once you have opened the image in Paint, you can click on the "Resize" button in the middle-right section of the toolbar at the top of the window. When the Resize window opens, ensure that "Percentage" is selected so that your image's changes will be measured in percentages.
You can then adjust the percentage values to resize your image. For example, changing the values to 75 will result in the image becoming 3/4 of its original size. Make sure to check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box to prevent your image from becoming distorted.
Finally, type a percentage between 1 and 500 into the "Horizontal" text box to shrink or expand your image when you press "OK". Alternatively, you can use the Ctrl + W shortcut to resize your image proportionally. Or, hold Shift while you drag the image to maintain its aspect ratio.
Prevent Paint from Sticking to Your Pallet: Quick Tips
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Maintain aspect ratio
To maintain the aspect ratio of a photo when resizing in Microsoft Paint, you must ensure that the "Maintain aspect ratio" box is checked. This will lock the ratio of the width to the height, so that when you change one, the other will automatically adjust to preserve the ratio and prevent distortion.
- Make a copy of the image you want to resize. This is important, as failing to do so will result in the original image being modified.
- Open the image in Microsoft Paint.
- Click the "Resize" button in the middle-right section of the toolbar at the top of the window.
- When the Resize window opens, make sure "`Percentage`" is selected at the top. This will allow you to resize your image proportionally.
- Check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box.
- Enter a number between 1 and 500 in the "`Horizontal`" or "Vertical" text box, depending on whether you want to adjust the width or height. Any number below 100 will shrink the image, while any number above 100 will enlarge it.
- Click "OK" to apply your changes.
- Save your image by pressing Ctrl+S.
By following these steps, you can resize your image in Paint while maintaining the original aspect ratio and avoiding distortion.
Repairing Nicks: Painting Your Front Door Like a Pro
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Enter new dimensions
To enter new dimensions for your image in Paint, you can follow these steps:
- Open the image in Microsoft Paint.
- Click the "Resize" button in the middle-right section of the toolbar at the top of the window.
- In the "Resize and Skew" dialog box, ensure that the “Maintain aspect ratio” check box is selected. This will keep the original proportions of your image and prevent distortion.
- Enter the new dimensions:
- If you want to resize by a certain percentage, select "Percentage" at the top of the resize window and enter a percentage between 1 and 500 in the “Horizontal” text box. For example, entering 75 will make your image 3/4 of its original size.
- If you prefer to specify the exact pixel dimensions, enter the desired width and height in pixels. However, be aware that entering only one value (width or height) while keeping the "Maintain aspect ratio" box unchecked may result in an oddly stretched image.
Click "OK" to apply the changes.
Remember, it is always a good idea to make a copy of your original image before resizing so that you have the original version intact. Additionally, while Paint is a convenient option, consider using alternative tools like Watermarkly if you need to resize multiple images or require more advanced features.
Unlocking Layer Masking: Hiding Parts of a Layer in Paint
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
First, make a copy of the image you want to resize so you still have it in its original size. Open the copy in Microsoft Paint and click the “Resize” button in the middle-right section of the toolbar at the top of the window. When the Resize window opens, make sure “Percentage” is selected at the top so your image’s changes will be measured in percentages. Select the “Maintain aspect ratio” check box so that the resized picture will have the same aspect ratio as the original picture. Then, enter the horizontal value (width) or vertical value (height).
Yes, you can change the pixel dimensions of your image in Paint. You can enter new values for both the width and height of your image. However, in this case, the original aspect ratio won't be maintained and your image may end up stretched out.
Paint is a free tool that can be used on any version of Windows. However, it may not be the best option if you want to resize multiple images or make an image significantly bigger, as it can result in a stretched-out image. In such cases, you may want to consider using alternative tools such as Watermarkly, which offers batch-processing and better upscaling capabilities.































