Resizing an image is something we’re all going to have to do at some point in our digital lives. And whether you’re usingWindows,macOS, or you’re rocking aChromebook, there are ways to scale images up and down on each PC. Fortunately, these are all relatively simple methods too.
Difficulty
What You Need
Windows 11 PC, Mac, or Chromebook
Windows Photos, Preview in macOS, or Gallery in ChromeOS app
While there’s a near-limitless world ofphoto-editing programsout there, we made sure to highlight tools in this multi-step guide that any Windows, macOS, or Chromebook user will have access to.
With that being said, here’s how to resize images in Windows 11, macOS Sonoma, and ChromeOS.
Windows 11
For Windows 11 PCs, we prefer to use the operating system’s native Photos app. Follow the steps below to resize an image in Photos on Windows 11:
Step 1:Right-click on the image and selectOpen withfollowed byPhotos.
Step 2:Select theThree dotsicon located in the app’s top-right corner.
Step 3:SelectResizeon the drop-down menu.
Step 4:A pop-up window appears. Select one of the three preset sizes (shown on the left). Otherwise, chooseDefine custom dimensionsfor a specific size. Another pop-up window appears (shown on the right).
Step 5:To keep the aspect ratio, select the box next toMaintain aspect ratio.
As you enter a number into one of the boxes, the other box will automatically adjust its number in proportion to the number you just entered. If the aspect ratio doesn’t matter, don’t check the box, and enter the numbers in both boxes.
Step 6:Select the purpleSave resized copybutton.
On macOS, you can use Preview to resize images. Here’s how to do that:
Step 1:Right-click on the image and selectOpen. If Preview is not your default image viewer, selectOpen withfollowed byPreviewinstead.
Step 2:SelectToolson the menu bar.
Step 3:SelectAdjust sizeon the drop-down menu.
Step 4:Enter the width and height information. You may need to switch the size type, like changing from inches to pixels, as shown above. Alternatively, you can select a preset size by selecting the arrows next toFit into.
Step 5:Select the blueOKbutton to confirm the new size.
Step 6:To save the resized image, selectFileon the menu bar.
Step 7:SelectSave.
you’re able to use ChromeOS' Gallery image viewer app to resize images. Use the steps below to resize images via Gallery:
Step 1:Right-click on the image and selectOpen with Galleryon the pop-up menu. Alternatively, if Gallery is not your default image viewer, selectOpen withfollowed byGallery.
Step 2:Select theRescalebutton at the top.
Step 3:Enter the width and height. Select theChainicon to unlock the aspect ratio if needed.
Step 4:Select the blueSavebutton. Alternatively, select the blueDown arrowto chooseSave asif you don’t want to alter the original image.
Web (Pixlr X)
Pixlr X is a free web app you’re able to use to make simple edits to your images, including resizing them. Follow the steps below to resize an image using Pixlr X:
Step 1:Head toPixlr X.
Step 2:Select the blueOpen imagebutton. Choose the image you want to edit.
Step 3:Find theLayout and Templatebutton and select it. It looks like a group of three rectangles.
Step 4:In the Layout menu, selectSmart resize.
Step 5:On theSmart resizescreen that appears, you can enter in your desired width and height measurements, lock or unlock the aspect ratio with the Lock proportions toggle, or even choose from a variety of size presets.
Step 6:Once you’ve made all your changes, select the blueApplybutton.
Step 7:Find the blueSavebutton at the bottom and click it.
Step 8:Enter the file name, select your preferred file type, and adjust quality as needed. Once everything is as you want it, select the blueSavebutton.
Your edited image should be saved to yourDownloadsfolder. There is a daily limit of three free saves.
