
Microsoft Paint is a simple graphics painting program that has been included in all versions of the Windows operating system. While it is a basic program, it can be used to create artistic works of a high standard. One common task users want to perform in Microsoft Paint is resizing images. To do this, you must first open the image in Microsoft Paint, then click the Resize button in the toolbar at the top of the window. In the Resize window, you can then adjust the image size by entering a percentage or pixel value, depending on your preference. To ensure that the image doesn't become distorted, you should check the Maintain aspect ratio box.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method | Click on "Resize" in the toolbar at the top of the window |
| Right-click on the image and select "Resize" or use the Ctrl + W shortcut | |
| Maintain aspect ratio | Check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box |
| Select "Percentage" at the top | |
| Type a number between 1 and 500 in the "Horizontal" text box | |
| Type the number of vertical pixels you want in the "Vertical" text box | |
| Change dimensions | Uncheck the "Maintain aspect ratio" box |
| Enter the desired dimensions in the "Horizontal" and "Vertical" text boxes |
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What You'll Learn

Click Resize in the toolbar
To resize an image in Microsoft Paint, first, make a copy of the image you want to resize so you still have it in its original size. Then, open the image in Microsoft Paint.
Now, click the "Resize" button in the toolbar at the top of the window. The "Resize" button is typically found in the middle-right section of the toolbar or under the "Image" section. When the Resize window opens, make sure "Percentage" is selected at the top so your image’s changes will be measured in percentages. For example, changing your image’s values to 75 will result in it becoming 3/4ths or 75% of its original size.
Now, check the “Maintain aspect ratio” box to make sure your image doesn’t get distorted. Checking this box will automatically adjust the other dimension when you change one. Finally, type a percentage between 1 and 500 into the “Horizontal” text box to shrink or expand your image when you press “OK”.
You can also resize using pixels. To do this, type the number of vertical pixels you want to use into the "Vertical" text box. You can also uncheck the "Maintain aspect ratio" box and enter a different number than was initially used in the "Horizontal" text box if necessary.
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Select Percentage
To resize an image in Microsoft Paint while maintaining its aspect ratio, you must first open the image in Microsoft Paint. Then, 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 that your image's changes will be measured in percentages. You can identify this by looking for a black dot next to "Percentage". If there isn't one, click the circle next to "Percentage" to select it.
Your image will start at 100% for both the vertical and horizontal values. Changing these to a smaller number, such as 75, will reduce your image to a percentage of its original size. For example, 75 will result in your image becoming three-quarters of its original size.
Make sure to check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box to ensure your image doesn't get distorted. This ensures that any changes you make to one aspect of your image (e.g. vertical size) will scale with the other aspects.
Finally, type a percentage between 1 and 500 into the "Horizontal" text box to shrink or expand your image when you press "OK".
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Check Maintain aspect ratio
When resizing an image in Microsoft Paint, it is important to check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box to ensure that your image doesn't become distorted. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
Step 1: Create a Copy of the Original Image
First, make a copy of the image you want to resize so that you still have the original version. To do this, right-click on the image, select "Copy" from the drop-down menu, then right-click in an empty space and choose "Paste".
Step 2: Open the Image in Microsoft Paint
Open the copy of your image in Microsoft Paint.
Step 3: Access the "Resize" Window
Click the "Resize" button in the middle-right section of the toolbar at the top of the Paint window. This will open the "Resize" window.
Step 4: Select "Percentage"
Ensure that "Percentage" is selected at the top of the "Resize" window. This will allow you to resize your image proportionally. The image will initially display values of 100 for both horizontal and vertical, indicating its original size.
Step 5: Check the "Maintain Aspect Ratio" Box
Check the box next to "Maintain aspect ratio". This will ensure that your image doesn't become distorted when you resize it. If you do not check this box, any changes you make to one aspect of the image (e.g. vertical size) will not scale with the other aspects.
Step 6: Resize Your Image
Now, you can resize your image while maintaining its aspect ratio. Type a percentage between 1 and 500 into the "Horizontal" text box to shrink or expand your image. For example, changing the value to 75 will result in your image becoming 3/4 of its original size.
Step 7: Save Your Changes
Once you are happy with the new size, click "OK" to apply the changes to your image. To save your changes, press Ctrl+S.
By following these steps and ensuring that the "Maintain aspect ratio" box is checked, you can resize your image in Microsoft Paint without distorting its proportions.
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Enter a number in the Horizontal box
To set the aspect ratio of an image in Microsoft Paint, you must first open the image in the software. Then, click on the "Resize" button located in the middle-right section of the toolbar at the top of the window.
When the Resize window opens, make sure that “Percentage” is selected so that your image's changes will be measured in percentages. Check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box to ensure your image doesn't get distorted.
Now, you can enter a number in the "Horizontal" text box to adjust the size of your image. If you enter a number between 1 and 500, your image will shrink or expand accordingly. For example, changing the horizontal value to 75 will result in your image becoming three-quarters of its original size.
You can also uncheck the "Maintain aspect ratio" box if you want to set a custom size for your image. This will allow you to enter different values in the "Horizontal" and "Vertical" text boxes, giving you more control over the dimensions of your image.
It is always recommended to make a copy of the original image before resizing, so you have the original version as a backup.
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Save changes
To save changes in Microsoft Paint after setting the aspect ratio of an image, follow these steps:
- Make a copy of the original image before you start making changes. This way, you can always go back to the original size if needed.
- 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 window, ensure that "Percentage" is selected so that your image's changes will be measured in percentages.
- Check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box to keep the proportions of your image intact.
- Make your desired changes to the image, such as shrinking or expanding it by typing a percentage between 1 and 500 into the "Horizontal" text box.
- Once you are happy with your changes, click "OK" to apply them to the image.
- Finally, press Ctrl+S on your keyboard to save the changes to your image.
By following these steps, you will successfully save your image with the desired aspect ratio adjustments in Microsoft Paint.
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Frequently asked questions
To set the aspect ratio of an image in Paint, first, make a copy of the image. Then, open the image in Paint and click the "Resize" button in the toolbar at the top of the window. In the Resize window, select "Percentage" at the top and check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box. Finally, enter a number between 1 and 500 in the "Horizontal" text box to resize the image proportionally.
To maintain the aspect ratio when resizing an image in Paint, make sure the "Maintain aspect ratio" box is checked in the Resize window. This ensures that any changes made to one aspect of the image (e.g., vertical size) will scale proportionally with the other aspects.
To resize an image in Paint without distorting it, first, create a copy of the original image. Then, open the image in Paint and click "Resize." In the Resize window, select "Percentage" and check the "Maintain aspect ratio" box. Enter a percentage between 1 and 500 in the "Horizontal" text box to resize the image while preserving its original proportions.
Yes, you can change the aspect ratio of an image in Paint by unchecking the "Maintain aspect ratio" box in the Resize window. This will allow you to set custom dimensions for the image by entering different values in the "Horizontal" and "Vertical" text boxes. However, be aware that changing the aspect ratio may distort the image if the proportions are not carefully adjusted.











































