Compressing Jpegs: Paint's File Size Reduction Tricks

how to decrease file size of jpeg in paint

There are several ways to decrease the file size of a JPEG image. One way is to use an online image resizer, which can be found through a simple Google search. These tools are user-friendly and can help convert images to JPEG format. Alternatively, you can use pre-loaded image editing software on your computer, such as Windows Photos, MS Paint, or Mac Preview. When using MS Paint, you can resize the image by opening the image, clicking the Resize button, and entering a new horizontal or vertical value. You can also use the cropping tool to make the image size smaller.

Characteristics Values
Tools TinyIMG, Windows Photos, MS Paint, Mac Preview, Photoshop, Photo & Picture Resizer
File Format JPEG
File Size Smaller
Image Quality Maintained
Image Dimensions Reduced
Aspect Ratio Maintained
Image Selection Rectangular
Mouse Button Left
Image Saving Ctrl+S

cypaint

Using the 'Resize' button in Paint

To decrease the file size of a JPEG image using the "Resize" button in Paint, follow these steps:

First, open the image in Paint. It's recommended to create a copy of the original image and work on resizing the copy, so you still have the original in its original size. To do this, right-click on the image, select "Copy," then right-click in an empty space and choose "Paste." Now, open Microsoft Paint and click on File, then Open, and select the copied image.

Once your image is open in Paint, navigate to the Image section in the toolbar at the top of the window and click on the Resize button. A new window will open, where you can adjust the size of your image.

Make sure to select "Percentage" at the top of the window so that your image's changes will be measured in percentages. For example, entering 75 will result in your image becoming three-quarters of its original size.

Next, ensure that the Maintain aspect ratio box is checked. This will keep the width and height proportions of your image locked, preventing it from becoming distorted or stretched out.

Now, you can enter a percentage between 1 and 500 into the Horizontal text box to shrink or expand your image. For instance, entering 50 will decrease the image size by 50%.

Finally, click "OK" to apply the changes.

Remember, decreasing the pixel dimensions will reduce the file size, but for a more significant reduction, you may also need to compress the image.

cypaint

Changing the level of image quality

When it comes to reducing the file size of a JPEG image, one effective approach is to utilise Microsoft Paint. This versatile software enables you to modify the image dimensions and adjust the image quality to meet your requirements. Here's a comprehensive guide to assist you in navigating this process effortlessly:

Making a Copy of Your Image

It is always advisable to work on a copy of your original image. This safeguards the original image, allowing you to make adjustments without any risk of accidental modification. To create a copy, right-click on the image and select "Copy" from the drop-down menu. Subsequently, right-click in an empty space within the folder or on your desktop and choose "Paste." This will generate a duplicate of your image, serving as the canvas for your edits.

Opening the Image in Microsoft Paint

Once you have created the image copy, it's time to delve into Microsoft Paint. Right-click on the copy and navigate to "Open with" in the drop-down menu. From the pop-out menu, select "Paint." This action will launch your selected image in the Paint program, providing you with the tools necessary to adjust its attributes.

Resizing the Image

Within the Paint toolbar, locate the Image section and click on "Resize." This will initiate the resizing process, allowing you to manipulate the dimensions of your image. Ensure that you select "Percentage" and "Maintain Aspect Ratio" to preserve the image's proportionality. Then, input a value between 1 and 500 in the "Horizontal" text box to shrink or enlarge the image to your desired specifications.

Adjusting Image Quality

To further decrease the file size, you can modify the image quality. This can be achieved by altering the resolution value. For instance, if the image is intended for online or digital purposes, a resolution of 72ppi is generally sufficient. Conversely, if you require a higher resolution for printing, you can opt for 300ppi. Additionally, you can experiment with different resampling methods, such as Bicubic Sharper or Bicubic, which are known for their effectiveness in reducing file size while maintaining visual quality.

Saving Your Edits

After you have finalised your adjustments, remember to save your work. This will ensure that your reduced JPEG file is preserved on your PC, ready for future use or distribution. Simply press the "Save" button, and your modified image will be available at a smaller file size.

By following these systematic steps, you can effectively decrease the file size of a JPEG image using Microsoft Paint. This process empowers you to tailor your images for specific purposes, ensuring they conform to storage limitations, website load speeds, and email attachment constraints.

cypaint

Cropping the image

Cropping an image will make the image file size smaller. To do this, you must first make a copy of the image you want to resize. This is important because failing to make a copy of the image will result in the original image being modified.

Go to the image you want to resize, right-click it, and click 'Copy' in the drop-down menu. Then, right-click an empty space in the folder or on the desktop and click 'Paste'. Now, right-click the image's copy, and select 'Open with' from the drop-down menu. Click 'Paint' in the pop-out menu to open your selected image in the Paint program.

From the ''Image' section of the ''Home' tab at the top of the 'Paint' window, click the arrow beneath 'Select'. From the drop-down menu, click 'Rectangular selection'. This will allow you to select the area of the image you want to keep.

After you have made your selection, press 'Ctrl+S' to save your image. This will save your copied image as a cropped file rather than overwriting the original image.

cypaint

Using online tools

There are several online tools available to help reduce the file size of JPEG images. These tools are useful if you want to reduce the overall size of the image without changing its dimensions.

One such tool is TinyIMG, which allows you to drag and drop up to 10 JPEG images at a time (3MB max size per image) into its compressor. It will then reduce the file sizes while maintaining the quality of the images. After the files have been compressed, you can download them back to your computer.

Other online tools that can be used to resize JPEG files include w3speedster, which comes with WEBP support to integrate WEBP images on your website.

In addition to resizing, some online tools also offer the ability to crop unwanted portions of the images. This can be particularly useful if you only need a specific section of the image.

cypaint

Using third-party apps

Several third-party apps are available to help you reduce the file size of a JPEG image. These include online tools such as TinyIMG, which can reduce file sizes while maintaining image quality. You can also use pre-loaded image-editing software on your computer, such as Windows Photos, MS Paint, or Mac Preview.

If you're using an Android device, one of the most convenient ways to resize JPEG files is by using a third-party app like Photo & Picture Resizer, available on the Google Play Store. Here's how you can use it:

  • Download the Photo & Picture Resizer app from the Google Play Store.
  • Click the "Select Photos" button and open your image.
  • Choose a specific size from the dimension options or enter a custom size. Your pictures will be automatically saved to your phone.

For iOS devices, you can reduce the JPEG file size in your phone settings by taking photos in a predefined smaller format. You can also use third-party apps from the App Store, such as Photo Compress or Compress Photos & Pictures.

Additionally, if you're using a Windows computer, you can use the built-in Paint app to reduce JPEG file sizes. Here's a step-by-step guide:

  • Open the Paint app and use the Ctrl+O shortcut or the "Open" option in the "File" menu to open your JPEG image.
  • Go to the "Image" menu and click on "Resize and Skew."
  • Choose whether you want to change the dimensions by percentage or pixel.
  • Set the resolution accordingly, ensuring the "Maintain Aspect Ratio" box is ticked to avoid separately changing the height and width.
  • Press Ctrl+S or go to "File" and select "Save As" to save your resized image.

Remember, when reducing JPEG file sizes, it's important to balance file size with image quality. While decreasing the quality can lead to smaller file sizes, it may negatively impact the visual appeal of your image.

Frequently asked questions

To decrease the file size of a JPEG in Paint, you must first open the image in Paint and then click the "'Resize' button". In the Resize window, make sure "Percentage" is selected, and then enter a number between 1 and 500 into the "Horizontal" text box. Check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box to avoid distorting the image. Finally, press "OK".

Before resizing, make a copy of the image by right-clicking on it, clicking "Copy", and then right-clicking on an empty space and clicking "Paste". Now, when you open the copied image in Paint and hit "Resize", the original image will be unchanged.

There are many online image resizers that can be used to reduce the size of JPEG files. Some of these tools are free to use and some are paid. You can also use pre-loaded image editing software like Windows Photos, Mac Preview, or Photoshop.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment