How to Resize an Image in Paint on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you’re uploading an image to a website, compressing photos for email, or adjusting dimensions for a project — resizing images is something almost every Windows user needs to do.

Why Resize Images on Windows 11?

Microsoft Paint, included with Windows 11, offers a simple and effective way to resize images without needing expensive photo editors like Photoshop.

In this comprehensive step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to resize an image in Paint on Windows 11, understand the difference between resizing by percentage and pixels, and explore pro tips for maintaining image quality.

---

What Does Resizing an Image Mean?

Resizing an image changes its dimensions — width and height — while trying to preserve its overall quality.

When you resize:

• Downscaling = reduces image size (good for web uploads)

• Upscaling = increases image size (may cause blurriness if enlarged too much)

💡 Pro Tip:
Always keep a copy of the original image before resizing to avoid losing detail.

Quick Summary

---

Understanding Microsoft Paint on Windows 11

Microsoft Paint in Windows 11 has received a refreshed design with the new Fluent UI, but its core features remain the same — including:

• Crop, resize, and rotate images

• Add text or shapes

• Adjust colors and transparency

• Save in multiple image formats

Paint is perfect for quick editing tasks, especially resizing and cropping.

---

How to Open Microsoft Paint in Windows 11

There are several easy ways to open Paint:

Option 1: Use Search

1. Click the Start Menu or press Windows + S.

2. Type Paint in the search bar.

3. Click the Paint app icon to open it.

Option 2: Use Run Command

1. Press Windows + R.

2. Type mspaint and press Enter.

Option 3: Right-click an Image

1. Right-click the image you want to resize.

2. Select Open with → Paint.

---

How to Resize an Image in Paint on Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)

Now let’s go through the resizing process carefully.

---

Step 1: Open Your Image

1. Launch Paint.

2. Click File → Open, then choose your image from your computer.

3. The image will appear in the Paint workspace.

---

Step 2: Open the Resize Tool

1. Click on the Home tab in the Paint toolbar.

2. Click the Resize button (found in the “Image” group).

   • A Resize and Skew dialog box will appear.

---

Step 3: Choose Resizing Option (Percentage or Pixels)

You’ll see two options:

Example:

• If you want to cut image size in half, choose Percentage → 50 for both Horizontal and Vertical.

• If you need specific dimensions, select Pixels → enter width and height.

💡 Pro Tip:
Keep the “Maintain aspect ratio” box checked to avoid stretching the image.

---

Step 4: Adjust the Image Size

• Enter new width/height values.

• Preview the numbers — Paint automatically adjusts the other dimension to maintain proportion.

• Click OK when ready.

Your image will now appear resized in the main Paint window.

---

Step 5: Save Your Resized Image

1. Click File → Save As.

2. Choose a file format:

   • JPEG – for smaller file size

   • PNG – for high-quality, transparent images

   • BMP/GIF – for specific compatibility

3. Select the folder and click Save.

💡 Tip:
Use a new filename (e.g., photo_resized.jpg) to keep the original intact.

---

Example: Resize by Percentage in Paint

Let’s say you have a 4000×3000 pixel photo and want to reduce it to half size.

1. Click Resize.

2. Choose Percentage → set both Horizontal and Vertical to 50.

3. Ensure Maintain aspect ratio is checked.

4. Click OK.

✅ Result: Your image becomes 2000×1500 pixels.

---

Example: Resize by Pixels in Paint

Suppose you need your image to be exactly 800×600 pixels.

1. Click Resize.

2. Select Pixels.

3. Enter 800 (Horizontal) and 600 (Vertical).

4. Keep Maintain aspect ratio checked if you want proportional scaling.

✅ Result: Image resizes to precise dimensions — ideal for web uploads or documents.

---

How to Check Image Size Before and After Resizing

Option 1: In Paint

• Look at the status bar at the bottom — it shows current image dimensions.

Option 2: In File Explorer

1. Right-click the image → Properties.

2. Go to Details tab.

3. Check Dimensions under Image section.

---

How to Resize an Image Without Losing Quality

Resizing often causes images to lose sharpness, especially when enlarged.

Here’s how to minimize quality loss:

1. Reduce, don’t enlarge — Shrinking an image keeps quality intact.

2. Use PNG format — it handles compression better than JPEG.

3. Always keep the aspect ratio locked.

4. Avoid multiple resizes — resize once, then save.

💡 Bonus Tip:
If you must enlarge an image, use AI tools like Let’s Enhance, Pixlr, or Adobe Express, which upscale images without blur.

---

Alternative: Resize Image Using Paint 3D

Paint 3D is another built-in Windows app that offers improved scaling and quality.

Steps:

1. Open Paint 3D → click Menu → Open → Browse Files.

2. Click Canvas from the top toolbar.

3. Enable Lock aspect ratio.

4. Enter new Width and Height values.

5. Click Menu → Save As → Image.

✅ Paint 3D preserves better image clarity than classic Paint for larger resizes.

---

Alternative: Resize Image Using Photos App

If you prefer not to open Paint at all:

Steps:

1. Right-click your image → Open with → Photos.

2. Click the three dots (⋯) menu at top right.

3. Select Resize image.

4. Choose:

   • S (small)

   • M (medium)

   • L (large)

   • Or enter custom dimensions

5. Click Save resized copy.

✅ Great for quick one-click resizing without editing manually.

---

Understanding Image File Formats

When saving a resized image, choose the format wisely:

💡 Best Practice:
Use JPEG for photos, PNG for logos or transparent images.

---

How to Crop Before Resizing

Sometimes resizing alone doesn’t give the perfect frame — you may need to crop unwanted edges.

Steps:

1. Open image in Paint.

2. Click Select → Rectangular selection.

3. Drag to highlight desired area.

4. Click Crop from the toolbar.

5. Then Resize as needed.

✅ Cropping first helps preserve composition and image proportions.

---

Resize Multiple Images in Windows 11 (Batch Resize)

While Paint can’t batch-resize images, Windows provides easy alternatives.

Option 1: Use PowerToys Image Resizer

1. Download Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store.

2. Install and open it.

3. Enable Image Resizer feature.

4. Select multiple images → right-click → Resize pictures.

5. Choose size (Small, Medium, Large, or Custom).

✅ Perfect for resizing entire photo folders instantly.

---

Keyboard Shortcuts for Paint (Windows 11)

💡 Quick Tip:
Use Ctrl + W anytime to open the Resize dialog instantly.

---

How to Resize Image for Web or Social Media

Here are ideal image dimensions for online platforms:

💡 Resize Tip:
Use Pixels mode in Paint for precise control when preparing web content.

---

Troubleshooting: Common Paint Resizing Issues

---

SEO Keyword Cluster (for On-Page Optimization)

---

Expert Tips for Image Resizing

✅ Always work on a copy of the original image
✅ Prefer Pixels mode for accuracy
✅ Keep aspect ratio locked for natural scaling
✅ Save as PNG for transparent images
✅ Use PowerToys Image Resizer for multiple files

---

Conclusion: Resize Images Easily in Paint on Windows 11

Resizing an image in Microsoft Paint on Windows 11 is fast, free, and simple.
With the Resize tool, you can reduce file size, change dimensions, or prepare images for websites — all in under a minute.

Whether you’re editing a family photo, optimizing for the web, or creating thumbnails, Paint is your go-to tool for quick and precise resizing.

So next time someone asks, “How do I resize an image on Windows 11?” — you’ll know exactly what to do.

---

FAQs: How to Resize an Image in Paint on Windows 11

1. Does Paint reduce image quality when resizing?

No, as long as you’re reducing size. Enlarging may blur details.

2. What’s the shortcut to resize in Paint?

Press Ctrl + W to open the Resize and Skew dialog instantly.

3. Can I resize multiple images at once in Paint?

No — use Microsoft PowerToys Image Resizer for batch resizing.

4. How to resize without stretching?

Keep Maintain aspect ratio checked in the Resize dialog.

5. Which is better — resize by pixels or percentage?

Use pixels when exact dimensions are needed; percentage for general scaling.

---

✅ Final Tip:
If you resize images frequently, create a preset dimension list or use PowerToys to automate repetitive resizing tasks.