How to Use Microsoft Paint to Resize Images

Image files straight from a modern smartphone or digital camera are often massive—sometimes 5MB to 10MB each, with resolutions far larger than most screens can display. If you need to upload a photo to a website, attach it to an email, or simply save storage space, you will need to resize it.

While there are countless complex image editing applications available, Windows 10 and Windows 11 include a lightweight, built-in tool that handles this perfectly: Microsoft Paint.

In this guide, we will show you exactly how to use Microsoft Paint to quickly resize your images without losing their proportions.

How to Resize an Image Using Microsoft Paint

Microsoft Paint has received a significant visual overhaul in Windows 11, but the core functionality remains just as straightforward as it has always been.

Step 1: Open Your Image in Paint

1. Locate the image you want to resize in File Explorer.
2. Right-click the image file.
3. Select Open with, and then click Paint.

Tip: If the image opens zoomed in very close, use the zoom slider in the bottom-right corner of the Paint window to zoom out so you can see the whole picture.

Step 2: Open the Resize Tool

1. In the Paint toolbar at the top of the screen, look for the Image section.
2. Click the Resize and skew button. In Windows 11, this icon looks like a small picture with an arrow pointing diagonally. In Windows 10, the button is clearly labelled Resize.
3. A new dialogue box will appear on your screen.

Step 3: Choose Your Resizing Method (Pixels vs Percentage)

The Resize dialogue box gives you two options for determining the new size of your image:

• Percentage: This is best if you don’t have a specific size in mind but just want the file to be smaller. For example, entering "50" will make the image exactly half its original size.
• Pixels: This is the best option if a website or application requires an exact dimension (e.g., "must be exactly 1920 pixels wide").

Step 4: Maintain Aspect Ratio

Before you type any numbers, ensure the checkbox labelled Maintain aspect ratio is ticked.

This is the most critical step. If this is ticked, changing the horizontal width will automatically adjust the vertical height to match. If you untick this box and change the width, your image will stretch, warp, and look unnatural.

Step 5: Apply the Resize

1. Select either Percentage or Pixels.
2. Type your desired number into the Horizontal box. (The Vertical box will update automatically).
3. Click OK.

Your image will immediately shrink (or grow) to the new dimensions.

How to Save Your Resized Image

Once you are happy with the new size, you need to save it. You have two choices here:

• Save (Overwrite): If you want to replace the original large file, simply press Ctrl + S or click File > Save.
• Save As (Create a Copy): If you want to keep the original large file and create a new, smaller version, click File > Save as. Choose a format (JPEG is usually best for photographs, while PNG is better for graphics or screenshots), give the file a new name (e.g., photo-resized.jpg), and click Save.

Why Use Microsoft Paint for Resizing?

Microsoft Paint is not designed for professional photo retouching, but for simple resizing, it is often the best tool for the job. It opens instantly, requires no third-party downloads, and is completely free. By mastering this simple workflow, you can easily prepare images for the web, reduce email attachment sizes, and better manage your digital files on Windows.