2 Ways to Resize an Image in GIMP

ByJim Miller

GIMP is a popular free photo editor for computers. While it doesn't have a dedicated Resize tool, you can still resize images in GIMP easily. Whether you want to change the dimensions of an image or reduce its file size, this article will guide you through the process.

1. How to Resize an Image by Changing File Size

Many websites and apps have limitations on image size. If you need to reduce the file size of an image, follow these steps:

  1. Open the image in GIMP by going to File > Open.
  2. Once the image is open, navigate to File > Export as.
  3. In the Export image dialog box, give the image a name and click Export.
  4. In the Export Image window, use the Quality slider to decrease the file size of the picture. Click Export to save the image.

Tip: Enable the Show preview in image window checkbox to view the file size.

2. How to Resize an Image by Changing Dimensions

You can change the resolution of an image in GIMP using three different methods. Let's explore each one:

1. Using Scale Tool

To resize images in GIMP, you can use the Scale tool. Here's how:

  1. Open the desired image in GIMP by going to File > Open.
  2. Click on the Image option in the menu bar and select Scale image from the dropdown menu.
  3. In the Scale Image window, enter the desired image dimensions in the Width and Height fields. Make sure to lock the aspect ratio to avoid any distortion. Click Scale.
  4. To save the image with the new resolution, go to File > Export as. Give the image a name and select the image quality.

Tip: Find out how to make a photo square without cropping it.

2. Scale Using Mouse

You can also manually resize an image using your mouse:

  1. Load the image in GIMP.
  2. Click on the Scale icon in the toolbox or use the Shift + S keyboard shortcut.
  3. Press and hold the Ctrl key and mouse button, then drag the image inwards from any corner to decrease its size. Release the buttons at the desired size and click Scale in the pop-up window. To increase the size, stretch the image outwards.
  4. If you notice a blank canvas underneath after decreasing the image size, click on Image > Crop to content to remove it.
  5. Finally, go to File > Export as to save the image.

3. Resize Layer

If you have multiple image layers, you can resize individual layers using the Scale tool or the Scale layer feature. Here's how:

  1. Ensure that the selected layer is a normal layer, not a Floating layer. If it's a Floating layer, right-click on it in the Layer panel and select “To new layer.”
  2. Using Scale Tool:
    1. Select the layer you want to resize in the Layer panel.
    2. Click on the Scale icon in the toolbox.
    3. In the Scale options, select Layer next to Transform.
    4. Press Ctrl and click and drag the image edges to resize it. Click Scale to apply the changes.
  3. Using Scale Layer:
    1. Select the layer in the Layer panel.
    2. Go to the Layer option in the menu bar and choose Scale Layer.
    3. Enter the new image dimensions, ensuring the aspect ratio is locked. Click Scale.
  4. Repeat the above steps to resize other image layers.

And that's it! Now you know how to resize images in GIMP using different methods. Remember, resizing an image can be useful for various purposes, such as fitting it into a specific space or sharing it on social media platforms. If you want to learn more about resizing images, check out our articles on resizing images in Windows 10 and reducing the file size of a PNG image.