An image looks stretched or squashed when its width and height are changed in different proportions. Preserve the aspect ratio to keep the original shape.
Resizing down is usually straightforward. Enlarging a small source cannot recreate detail that is not present, so begin with the highest-resolution original available.
Keep the aspect ratio locked
Aspect ratio is the relationship between width and height. With the ratio locked, changing the width automatically calculates the matching height, preventing distortion.
- A 1200 × 800 image has a 3:2 aspect ratio.
- At 600 pixels wide, its matching height is 400 pixels.
- Unlock the ratio only when intentional stretching or an exact nonmatching frame is required.
Resize, crop, or compress?
Resizing changes pixel dimensions. Cropping removes part of the picture to create a different shape. Compression reduces file size, usually without changing dimensions. Choose the operation that matches the requirement.
Choose the right output format
JPG is commonly effective for photographs. PNG is useful for transparency and sharp interface graphics. WebP often provides smaller web files while supporting both photographic content and transparency.
Common questions
Questions about this topic
Why does my image look stretched?
Its width and height were changed without preserving the original aspect ratio. Undo the change and resize with the ratio locked.
Does resizing make a file smaller?
Reducing pixel dimensions usually reduces file size, but format, quality, transparency, and image detail also affect the final size.
Can I enlarge an image without losing quality?
Enlargement can interpolate pixels but cannot restore detail missing from the original. Use a larger source file when sharp output is important.