To resize an image in Paint 3D, click Canvas in the top toolbar, then enter new pixel or percentage values in the Width and Height fields on the right panel. Check Resize image with canvas to scale the image content along with the canvas dimensions. Uncheck it to change only the canvas size while keeping the image at its original scale.
Understanding the difference between canvas resize and content resize is critical. Canvas resize changes the workspace boundary, which either crops or extends the visible area. Content resize scales the actual image pixels up or down to fit new dimensions. Most users need content resize (scaling the photo itself), which requires the Resize image with canvas checkbox to be enabled. Microsoft discontinued Paint 3D in November 2024, but this guide covers the final version on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Step-by-Step: Resize an Image (Scale Content)
- Open your image. Click Menu > Open > Browse files and select the image you want to resize.
- Click Canvas. Select Canvas from the top toolbar. The Canvas settings panel opens on the right side, showing current Width and Height values.
- Enable content scaling. Check the box labeled Resize image with canvas. This ensures the image pixels scale proportionally when you change dimensions, rather than getting cropped.
- Lock the aspect ratio. Check Lock aspect ratio to maintain the image’s original proportions. When locked, changing the width automatically calculates the corresponding height, and vice versa. This prevents stretching or squishing.
- Choose your unit. Select either Pixels or Percentage from the dropdown above the dimension fields. Pixels gives you exact control. Percentage is useful when you need to scale by a specific factor (for example, 50% to halve the size).
- Enter new dimensions. Type your target width or height value. With Lock aspect ratio enabled, the other dimension updates automatically. For percentage mode, entering 50 reduces the image to half its current size.
- Apply the resize. Click outside the Canvas panel or select another tool. The image redraws at the new dimensions.
- Save the resized image. Click Menu > Save as > Image. Choose PNG for lossless quality or JPEG for smaller file size.
Canvas Resize vs. Content Resize
| Setting | Resize image with canvas ON | Resize image with canvas OFF |
|---|---|---|
| What changes | Both canvas and image scale together | Only canvas boundary changes |
| Image quality | Pixels are resampled to new size | Original pixels preserved |
| Making canvas larger | Image stretches to fill new size | Adds empty space around image |
| Making canvas smaller | Image shrinks to fit new size | Crops edges of the image |
| Typical use | Scaling photos for web or email | Trimming or extending workspace |
For trimming an image to a specific area without scaling, see our guide on how to crop an image in Paint 3D.
Common Resize Scenarios
Reducing file size for email. A 4000×3000 photo is often 5 to 10 MB. Resizing to 1200×900 (30% of original) reduces file size to under 500 KB in JPEG, making it suitable for email attachments without quality loss visible at screen resolution.
Preparing images for social media. Instagram posts display at 1080 px wide. Facebook cover photos require 820 x 312 px. Resize to these exact dimensions for the sharpest display on each platform.
Scaling up for printing. Enlarging a small image (for example, 800×600 to 2400×1800) introduces blurriness because Paint 3D interpolates new pixels between existing ones. For print, start with the highest resolution source image available. 300 DPI is the standard for print quality.
For a broader overview of Paint 3D features, visit our complete guide or browse the tutorials library.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to image quality when I resize up in Paint 3D?
Enlarging an image beyond its original pixel dimensions causes quality loss. Paint 3D uses bilinear interpolation to generate new pixels, which produces soft, slightly blurry results. A 2x enlargement (for example, 1000×750 to 2000×1500) shows noticeable softness. For best results, avoid enlarging beyond 150% of the original size. If you must scale up significantly, consider dedicated upscaling tools that use AI-based algorithms.
Can I resize only part of an image without affecting the rest?
Not with the Canvas resize tool, which affects the entire image. To resize a specific element, use the Select tool to draw a selection around that area, then drag the corner handles of the selection to scale it independently. The selected area resizes while everything outside the selection remains at its original size.
How do I resize to an exact dimension like 1920×1080?
Click Canvas, uncheck Lock aspect ratio (since your target may differ from the original ratio), check Resize image with canvas, set the unit to Pixels, then type 1920 in the Width field and 1080 in the Height field. This forces the exact dimensions, though it may stretch the image if the aspect ratios do not match. To avoid distortion, crop to a 16:9 ratio first, then resize.
Does resizing an image change the DPI or print quality?
Paint 3D does not let you set DPI (dots per inch) directly. It works in pixel dimensions only. DPI is determined by the print size: a 3000×2000 pixel image printed at 10×6.67 inches equals 300 DPI. The same image printed at 20×13.33 inches equals 150 DPI. To calculate, divide pixel count by your target print dimension in inches.