How to resize an image in Gimp

If you need to edit the size of an image, whether it’s the dimensions or the size of the file itself, GIMP is the perfect software to do it. This photo editing program is not only free, but can also be installed on devices running Windows, macOS, and GNU/Linux. You can use it to change an image’s dimensions and file size, as well as crop, rotate, and flip an image.

In this guide, we will show you how to resize image dimensions and file size in GIMP without reducing its quality or resolution. Additionally, we will go through the process of resizing a layer, canvas, and selection in GIMP.

How to Resize Image Dimensions in GIMP

Knowing how to resize an image can be very useful when you need to post the same image on multiple social media platforms. Different platforms have different requirements for the proportions and dimensions of their posts. The trick is to change the dimensions of the photo without cropping it, as this could cause the image to lose potentially important elements.

Fortunately, you can use GIMP to resize the dimensions of an image and it only takes a few moments. It doesn’t matter what operating system you use; This process is the same in all of them. First, you need to download the software and install it on your computer or laptop. After opening GIMP, here’s what you need to do next:

1. Click the “File” tab in the upper left corner of the window.
   
2. Go to the “Open” option and select the image whose size you want to resize.
   
3. Click on it and select “Open” in the new window.
   Note: You will be able to see the current dimensions of the image in the second half of the title tab (for example, 800 x 1200 – GIMP).
   
4. Select the “Image” tab in the top menu.
   
5. Choose “Scale Image…” from the drop-down menu. This will open the “Scale Image” dialog.
   
6. Under “Image Size”, change the width and height of the image manually.
   
   • You can also change the value type by clicking the down arrow next to the “px” tab. It is possible to change the value to percentages, millimeters, centimeters and more. If not necessary, we recommend that you leave it in pixels.
7. Click the “Scale” button when you’re done.
   

If there are no further changes you want to apply to this image, you can save it. You can do this by clicking the “File” tab again and selecting “Export as…”. Decide in which folder you want to save the edited image and go to the “Export” button.

How to Resize Image Dimensions by Dragging the Mouse in GIMP

There is an even easier and faster way to resize the dimensions of an image in GIMP, and that is by dragging it with the mouse. This is how you do it:

1. Start GIMP and open a new image.
   
2. Click the “Unified Transformation Tool” icon in the left sidebar. It is the sixth icon on the first line.
   
3. Under “Restrict (change)”, make sure the “Scale” option is checked.
   
4. Under “From pivot”, check the “Scale” box.
   
5. Click on one of the four squares on either side of the photo to resize it.
   
6. To enlarge the image, drag the square to the edge of the window.
   
7. To reduce the size of the image, drag the square to the center of the window.
   

You will be able to see the percentage of pixels at the bottom left of the window. If you want to resize it in a different way, go to the “Reset” button in the “Unified Transformation” window. When you’re done, save your changes and export the image to your computer.

How to change the file size of an image in GIMP

GIMP also gives you the option to change the file size of an image. This can be especially useful when you want to send someone an image, but it’s too large to fit in the attachments section. This is how you do it:

1. Start GIMP and import an image.
   
2. Make any necessary changes to the image.
3. Select “File” in the upper left corner of the window.
   
4. Choose “Export as…”
   
5. Click on the “Select file type (by extension)” option.
   
6. Select “JPEG Image” and click the “Export” button.
   
7. Choose the quality of the image, which will also determine its size.
   
8. Go to “Export” again.
   

For any image you edit, the smaller the file size, the lower the quality of the image. You can change the file size of an image only if you export it in JPEG format.

How to resize a layer in GIMP

You can also add layers on top of your image in GIMP. To choose the correct dimensions of a layer, follow the steps below:

1. Select “Layer” from the top menu.
   
2. Click “New Layer” in the drop-down menu.
   
3. Choose the width and height of the layer.
   
4. Click the “OK” button.
   

If you want to resize the dimensions of an existing layer, do the following:

1. Right click on the layer and choose “Layer.”
   
2. Continue with “Scale Layer”.
   
3. Change the width and height of the layer.
   
4. Click the “Scale” button.
   

That’s all about it. You can add as many layers as you want to your project.

How to change size without losing quality in GIMP

As mentioned above, you can change the file size of an image. However, if you reduce the file size too much, you could risk losing image quality. There are certain things you can do to preserve the original quality of the image. Follow the steps below to do it:

1. Open GIMP and import a new image.
   
2. Go to the “Image” tab and select “Scale Image…”.
   
3. Change the width and height of the image.
   
4. Next to “Interpolation,” select “Cubic.” If you can see the “Sync (lanczos3)” option, you can also select it.
   
5. Select “Scale.”
   
6. Go to “File” and then “Export as…”.
   
7. Select the file type and choose “JPEG file” from the drop-down menu.
   
8. Make sure the image quality is set to 100%.
   
9. Choose “Export.”
   

How to resize the canvas of an image in GIMP

In GIMP, a canvas refers to the visible area of ​​the image. The canvas and layers are the same size by default. To resize a canvas in GIMP, here’s what you do:

1. Click the “Image” tab in the top menu.
   
2. Select “Canvas Size” from the dropdown menu.
   
3. Change the width and height of the canvas.
   
4. Choose the “Resize” button.
   

If you want, you can also resize the layers to fit on the canvas in the same place. Simply go to “Resize Layers” and choose “All Layers” from the menu.

How to resize a selection in GIMP

To draw a selection in GIMP, you can use a variety of tools: the free selection tool, the rectangle selection tool, the ellipse selection tool, the diffuse selection tool, the foreground selection tool, the path, the color selection tool and more. . This is what you need to do:

1. Make a selection of your image. You can do this by clicking any of the selection tools in the left sidebar.
   
2. Go to “Tools” in the top menu and continue with “Transformation Tools”.
   
3. Select “Scale.”
   
4. Change the width and height.
   
5. Click the “Scale” button.
   

Resize all your images with GIMP

GIMP may seem complicated to use at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll use all of its features to your advantage. You can use GIMP to change the dimensions of an image and the file size. You can also use it to resize a layer, a canvas, and a selection. With many creative options, you will be able to design amazing images.