How to Quickly Resize Your Book Cover
Most ebook aggregators require a book cover of at least 1600 x 2400 pixels. If your cover file is a different size, here’s how to resize it using tools you likely already have — no downloads needed.
Option 1: Windows (Using Paint, Already Installed)
Paint comes built into every Windows PC — there’s no need to download it from anywhere.
- Open Paint (search “Paint” in your Start menu).
- Open your book cover file (File → Open).
- Click Resize in the toolbar.
- Select Pixels.
- Uncheck “Maintain aspect ratio” only if you specifically need to distort the image — for a book cover, you almost always want to leave this checked.
- Type in your target size (e.g., 1600 x 2400).
- Click OK, then save your file.
Option 2: Mac (Using Preview, Already Installed)
- Open your cover image in Preview (the default image viewer on Mac).
- Go to Tools → Adjust Size.
- Enter your target pixel dimensions.
- Make sure “Scale proportionally” is checked.
- Click OK, then save.
Option 3: Any Device (Free Web-Based Tool)
If you’re not on a computer, or just want something quicker, a free browser-based tool like Photopea (photopea.com) works entirely in your browser and supports precise pixel resizing without installing anything.
Two Things to Watch For
- Don’t try to enlarge a small image dramatically. Stretching a small file up to 1600 x 2400 will make it look pixelated and blurry — this process works well for making a large image smaller, not the other way around. If your original cover file is small, you’ll need the source file (or a fresh export) at a higher resolution instead.
- Always maintain the aspect ratio. If width and height aren’t scaled proportionally, your cover will look stretched or squashed. Most tools have a “maintain aspect ratio” or “scale proportionally” checkbox — keep it checked.
Want This Done For You?
If your cover needs more than a simple resize — cropping, format conversion, or a full mockup for your listing — we can handle the whole thing.