Encountering a message saying your image resolution is too low can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to print or use it for a project. A low-resolution image can result in blurry or pixelated prints, which is definitely not ideal. Fortunately, you don’t need expensive or complicated software to increase the resolution of your photos. If you’re using a PC or a Mac, you already have basic tools built right in that can help you improve your image quality.
For Windows users, Microsoft Paint, a program that’s been a standard part of the operating system for years, offers a simple way to adjust image resolution. Mac users can easily achieve the same result with Preview, the default image viewer that also packs surprisingly useful editing features. Both of these tools allow you to increase the pixel dimensions of your image, effectively boosting its resolution and making it suitable for printing or other applications where higher quality is needed. Let’s explore how to use these readily available programs to change the resolution of your photos.
Changing Photo Resolution in Microsoft Paint (Windows)
Microsoft Paint might be basic, but it’s surprisingly effective for quick image edits, including resolution adjustments. Here’s how you can increase the resolution of your photo using Paint:
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Open your image in Paint: Launch Microsoft Paint. Click on File in the top left corner, and then select Open from the dropdown menu. Navigate to the image you want to edit on your computer and open it.
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Access the Resize tool: Once your image is loaded in Paint, look for the Resize option in the toolbar at the top of the Paint window. It’s usually located in the “Image” section of the toolbar. Click on Resize.
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Adjust Pixel Dimensions: A “Resize and Skew” window will appear. In this window, ensure that the Pixels option is selected. This is crucial for changing the resolution. You’ll see fields for “Horizontal” and “Vertical” pixels. Increasing these numbers will increase the overall resolution and file size of your image. Enter your desired pixel dimensions for width and height. Usually, maintaining the aspect ratio is recommended to avoid distortion, which Paint typically does automatically.
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Confirm and Save: After entering your new pixel dimensions, click OK. Paint will resize your image according to your specifications. Now, to save your changes, click on File again, and this time select Save As. Choose your desired image format from the options, such as PNG, BMP, or JPEG, and save the image to your computer. Saving as PNG or BMP is generally recommended for higher quality if file size is not a primary concern, while JPEG is a more compressed format.
By following these steps, you’ve successfully increased the resolution of your image using Microsoft Paint.
Adjusting Image Resolution with Preview on Mac
For Mac users, Preview is the go-to application for image viewing and basic editing, and it includes a straightforward way to change image resolution. Here’s how to do it in Preview:
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Open your image in Preview: Locate the image file on your Mac and open it. By default, images usually open with Preview. If not, right-click on the image, select Open With, and choose Preview.
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Find the Adjust Size tool: Once the image is open in Preview, look at the top menu bar and click on Tools. In the dropdown menu that appears, select Adjust Size.
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Customize Resolution Settings: The “Adjust Size” window will pop up. From the “Fit into” dropdown menu, select Custom. This allows you to manually adjust the dimensions and resolution. You can change the Width and Height. Ensure you are adjusting by pixels if you are aiming to change resolution for digital use or print. The resolution (DPI – Dots Per Inch) can also be adjusted here. Generally, for printing, a resolution of 300 DPI is recommended for good quality.
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Apply and Export: After making your desired adjustments to width, height, and resolution, click OK. Preview will apply these changes to your image. To save the modified image, go to File in the top menu and select Export. In the export dialog, you can choose the file format (JPEG, PNG, PDF, TIFF) and adjust the quality if applicable (for JPEG). Choose your desired settings and click Save to save the image.
Using Preview, you can easily manage the resolution of your images on a Mac without needing any additional software.
Conclusion
Changing the resolution of a photo doesn’t have to be a complex task. With built-in tools like Microsoft Paint on Windows and Preview on Mac, anyone can quickly adjust their image resolution to meet their needs, whether it’s for better print quality or for specific online requirements. By increasing the pixel dimensions using these simple methods, you can ensure your photos look their best, regardless of how you intend to use them. Experiment with these tools and find the resolution that works best for your images and projects.
