You’ve got an image that’s too small, and making it bigger leaves it blurry. In the AI era, the fix is an AI upscaler, since it generates new detail instead of stretching what you already have.
We tested three ways to do this without the blur: a free online tool, a free desktop app, and a premium option for the biggest jobs.
In this guide, we’ll show you why images lose quality when enlarged. Then we’ll walk through all three methods so you can pick the one that fits your image.
Why Do Images Lose Quality When Enlarged?
Images lose quality when enlarged because they don’t have enough pixel information to support the larger size.
Most images on the web, including JPEG and PNG files, are in a format called bitmap.
A bitmap image is made up of thousands of tiny squares called pixels. Each pixel holds a bit of color and sits in a fixed spot on the image (that’s why it’s called a bitmap).
Shrinking an image usually looks fine because you’re squeezing the pixels closer together, which hides imperfections. But when you make it larger, you’re just stretching those existing pixels.
Since the enlargement doesn’t add any new details, the image ends up looking blurry or blocky.
AI upscaling solves this by generating new detail instead of stretching existing pixels. Developers train the AI model on millions of images.
The model then uses that training to predict and add the missing detail, so the result looks much sharper than basic stretching.
💡Note: Always start with a high-resolution image. The more pixels the original image has, the better it handles enlargement.
The same logic applies before you even take a screenshot. If it’s for your own blog post, capture it at the right size from the start, and you skip the enlargement problem entirely.
In the sections below, we’ll walk through three ways to use AI upscaling. You can use the links below to jump to any method with just a click:
Method 1: Enlarging Images With a Free Online AI Upscaler
The fastest way to enlarge an image without losing quality is a free online AI upscaler like Upscale.media.
It runs the AI model on its servers and hands you a sharp result in your browser.
Head to Upscale.media and click ‘Upload’ to select the photo you want to enlarge. The tool accepts JPG, PNG, and WebP files up to 16MB.
It shows a live preview of your image as soon as it’s uploaded.
Under ‘Upscale Image’, leave Super Resolution selected, and choose how much to enlarge your photo. 2x is free and doesn’t require an account, while 4x and 8x need a paid credit.
Upscale.media marks both paid options with a small crown icon.
Click Upscale once you’ve chosen a scale. The tool processes the image in a few seconds.
We ran this on a 400 by 400 pixel test image. The free 2x option returned an 800 by 800 pixel result with visibly sharper edges, no login, and no watermark.
A before and after slider lets you drag across the image to compare the two versions before you download.
Click Download to save the enlarged image once you’re happy with it. You don’t need an account for one enlargement a day, and a free account adds three credits a month.
Method 2: Enlarging Images With Upscayl (Free Desktop)
Upscayl is the better free option for batch jobs, private images, or files too large for a browser upload. It runs the AI model on your own computer.
Download Upscayl for free from upscayl.org, available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Install it, open the app, and you’ll land on a simple three-step layout.
Click Select Image under Step 1 to choose your photo. If you want to enlarge a whole folder at once, turn on the ‘Batch Upscayl’ toggle first.
Under Step 2, pick your AI model from the dropdown and set ‘Image Scale’ to how much you want to enlarge it, up to 16x.
Upscayl Standard is the default model, and it works well for most photos.
Step 3 lets you choose where Upscayl saves the enlarged file, and it defaults to the same folder as your original image.
Click Upscayl to start the AI model running locally on your computer. We tested this on a 500 by 600 pixel image.
Upscayl’s standard model returned a 2000 by 2400 pixel result at 4x, and it added texture and edge detail instead of just stretching pixels.
Method 3: Enlarging Images With ON1 Resize AI 2026 (Premium)
ON1 Resize AI is the premium pick when you need a very large enlargement, up to 10 times the original size, for a print or a poster-sized image.
It combines its AI models with Genuine Fractals, the resizing technology ON1 has been refining for over two decades.
ON1 Resize AI 2026 works as a standalone app or as a plugin inside Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Capture One, and Apple Photos. That means you can enlarge an image without leaving your usual editor.
Open your photo, then choose your AI model in ‘Settings’.
The Standard model is built for speed and large batch jobs, while the Highest Quality model is a diffusion-based option meant for tight crops and gallery-quality prints.
Set your target size by width, height, or long edge. If you’re preparing a physical print, use a print size and resolution instead.
A before and after preview with zoom lets you check detail and sharpness before you export.
If you’re resizing more than one file, ON1 can batch process multiple images using a saved preset.
ON1 offers a 30-day free trial that’s fully functional with no watermark, so you can test it on your own images before paying.
The standalone app is a one-time purchase, currently $69.99.
That price covers 2 computers, and ON1 backs it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
FAQs: Resizing Images to Make Them Larger Without Losing Quality
Why do images become blurry when resized?
Images get blurry because enlarging them stretches the existing pixels. Since the process doesn’t add any new details, the image can look soft or pixelated.
How can fractal interpolation help in resizing images?
Some advanced tools use a technique called fractal interpolation to fill in missing details. It works by blending each pixel with the ones around it, which helps create a smoother, sharper result when enlarging an image.
Are there any tips to improve image quality before resizing?
Starting with the highest quality version of your image gives you the best result, since more original detail always helps. After resizing, you can also adjust the sharpness and contrast to improve the final result.
What is a free way to upscale an image without losing quality?
Upscale.media is a free way to upscale an image without losing quality, since it runs an AI model that adds real detail rather than just stretching pixels.
You can enlarge one image a day at 2x without an account. If you need more, sign up for 3 free credits a month.
Does AI upscaling work on every image?
The result depends on how much information your source image has to start with. It’s not the same as adding detail your camera never captured in the original photo.
We hope this guide helped you enlarge your images without losing quality. Once your images look sharp, see our guide on optimizing images for web performance to keep your WordPress site fast too.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
Suman Sourabh
I used GIMP for creating thumbnails for my YouTube channel but never used this feature. Thanks for this article!
WPBeginner Support
Glad we could share another way to use it
Admin
Shamsad
For anyone seeing this in 2022, the gimp solution worked for me. The Sinc(Lanczos3) got replaced by NoHalo. Using this and scaling, I got to resize my png.
I always find quality solution in wpbeginner. Keep up the good work.
WPBeginner Support
Thank you for sharing and glad our guide was helpful!
Admin
Dorki3
None of the above solutions helped me resize to the desired size and quality, i managed to resize the picture but the quality was very poor! thank you for the effort tho! found some nice picture software!
WPBeginner Support
Sorry that you couldn’t solve the issue on your end but glad you liked our recommendations for tools
Admin
Giorgio
Hi, with Gimp is perfect. But if I have lot of photos is there a solution for automate with gimp?
Thanks
Giorgio
WPBeginner Support
Unless I hear otherwise, we don’t have an automation tool to work with Gimp like that at the moment.
Admin
Chris Campbell
Unfortunately the instructions call for opening an image in PS and then selecting File > Automate >Perfect Resize, but there is no Perfect Resize option available. Not sure how an article this new is incorrect, but that what I’m seeing. Very frustrating now since the article encouraged me to spend $60.
WPBeginner Support
There may have been an update to the option location. If you reach out to Perfect Resize’s support they should be able to let you know where the button is currently.
Admin
Jim Barker
well the explanation of each item to use was great, except I tried to down load both free versions and neither one did anything to the picture I was trying to increase in size. it was wallet to 5×7. bummer
Peter
Hello how do you make your mobile Nokia phone photos bigger to download on a shirt
Linto
Thank you so much for this tutorial!!
Liene
Thanks for this post. I haven’t heard about IrfanView, just now downloaded and it really does its job. Great. Thanks.
Melissa
Hi!
I tried the perfect resize which I think is now called ON1, and I wasn’t able to resize from a 3 inch to an 8 inch without losing quality. I just wanted to ask you if you hay any idea why.
Thank you!
manish
i great that i have founded the solution of my big and big problem.
i thank to the programmer of Irfanview and the web site designer.
thank a lot!!!!
Dufner
I’ve used Perfect Resize software itself without Photoshop and it works better than just resizing with Photoshop without plugin. I did it at school where they had the license for the program. Never tried it in Photoshop with the Resize plugin, good to know! Thanks
anupama
plz tell me what is hooks in wordpress? what is work of hooks ..
Safura Abbas
Hi Team,
I am glad to have found my solution on this site. So very well explained and understood. Appreciate your help. I downloaded the trial version of ON1 software and my image that i was trying to enlarge for hours to print right on the paper went in vain until I found your blog. Kudos to Syed Balkhi and team for this informative site. Happy me
Thank you once again.
ashish
nice tutorial awesome
Mike
Thank you! Very useful
sedatbasman
thank you for your help.
Rebecca Cunningham
It works like magic! I’ve tried everything, and this is pure perfection. Thank you so very much.
DBlake
Rebecca…which one did you use?
Tej
Hey, I had taken a picture of some old photography but it’s looks worst. How I can increase its quality
Irineu
I have used the extension Simple Image Resizer, Chrome, and have had good results. I’m from Brazil. Congratulations.
Rosie
But it does not make images LARGER – which is the point of the article!
Anthony
This is what i’ve been looking for. PS CC has limited options for retaining image size after merging it with several other layers. Thanks a lot!
May
I’m using the Gimp resize (logo obtained but company wont resize) and it still is a resolution I cant use?
Dana
Thank you! I have been looking for a resize plug in on photoshop!–Works great!!!!
Carol
I have two questions:
1. I know next to nothing about photoshop, but I do use Lightroom 6 when editing images. Is there a way that is similar to the ways mentioned here to do the same in Lightroom?
2. In another article here on WPBeginner, someone commented that the days of lowering the photo resolution for a faster site are practically over. If so, what is the recommended mg size & dpi for most blog photos? (This is a photography blog site, so I want them to be as clear as possible.)
Thanks.
Rebecca Rose
Hi and thank you for your site. I am a rank Beginner (to put it mildly) and found your site while searching the web for information on how to resize photos for Windows Movie Maker.
Right now I want to make Slide Show “movies” for the music I compose … but, those black panels on either side of the smaller photos that I use are a real turn-off! So, I am trying my best to learn what to do … I own Photo Shop – but sadly, as yet I have never used it. After reading the above comments, I think it’s time! Any other comments you have would be VERY welcome …
Richard Cunningham
Here is a simple solution if you are challenged by loss of definition/blurring or over pixellation when you re-size an image. My problem was with a business card where I had an excellent large image in .jpg format but I could not figure out how to retain the definition quality when I reduced it using gimp.
Voila!
Assume that you have an excellent .jpg image which is A4 size and you want to reduce it to a business card size allowing for trim and bleed of 3.6 inches by 2.1 inches at 300 dpi. If you try to edit the file in Gimp, you will end up with unacceptable quality. I wasted hours!
Try this:
1. Open a new file using a 300 dpi template. Set the size parameters as you want them to be – 3.600 x 2.100.
2. Open the file you want to resize – in this case you want to downsize.
3. While in this file, hit Edit – Copy.
4. Go to the new file and hit Edit – Paste.
Check the image details and you will find that you have a perfectly defined reduced 3.6 inch by 2.1 inch image at 300 dpi !
Eshaan
How do you make an image smaller than its original size without losing quality?
And I mean really small. In pixel units “10×10”
The answer to this question will mean a lot to me!
If possible please email me the answer at
Thank you!
Tom
@Eshaan
The thing is, when reducing an image’s size, you have to lose pixels. An image of 100×100 pixels contains 10,000 different pixels, whilst an image of 10×10 only contains 100. This means shrinking a 100×100 image to 10×10 requires you drop 9900 pixels. When making an image larger, you are adding pixels, which is physically possible, unlike in shrinking
john jr.
Hi I am trying to upload files to you but it is saying that the file size is too small.
How can I fix this so I can forward the pics I like.
joycebartley
hi i am trying to download some pictures from my computer to a contest and they have to be smaller than 4mg unfortunately most of my pictures are a little above that …so how can i reduce the size of mg lower than 4?????? i hope there is an easy way to do it…..from now on should i take the picture with my cell ph up closer or farther away?????
Dan
Whilst this offers some useful techniques, and some expensive ones. I personally don’t think that you should EVER size up an image. EVER!! I have worked in Print for years as well as web and this is just a big no no, or that’s how I was taught.
Size down, never up. This is one technique I will NEVER be taking on board. But thanks for the post.
Dave
I agree with Dan. If you want the picture bigger, you need to get it from the source or retake it.
Joe Turner
Dave, that’s really not very helpful. Obviously, I would think everyone understands they should retake it, if they could. People wouldn’t need to try to look at finding the “best” of all the imperfect ways of resizing if they could just retake a photo. But most of these photos are of events or at times and/or places that can’t be revisited and going back in time is not really an option, so retaking it is usually quite impossible. I think you should realize that most people looking to upsize didn’t think they were going to need to print the photo as large as they are now looking to go, but want the best results given the circumstances they find themselves in.
Mawande
Thanks Joe
I was also shaking my head before your comment. Obviously people would rather do things right the first time, but circumstances and situation can change involuntarily and all people can do is make the best of those situations by coming up with work arounds.
Peggy Woods
I must really spend some time learning how to operate the Photoshop I purchased some time ago. I generally just resize photos by using Picasa3 for cropping and such. Going to g+ this information. Thanks!
Nora
I have only ever used Photshop to re-size images. But only to a certain extent. When you start with a low-rez image it can only be sized up to a certain extent. Open the file in Photshop, click on “image size, un-check “Resample image”, then start adjusting the pixel size under width until you reach as close to 300dpi as possible. You will see the resolution # change as you mess with the pixel size. Once you have gotten to about 300dpi click “save”. The go back and re-check “Resample image”. Click “save” again. Done.
Leon Quinn
Surely there is some way of doing this in Photoshop without a commercial plugin?
Darshan Gajara
This is splendid stuff. Can you please suggest some free Photoshop plugins to simplify photo manipulation?
Mark Narusson
Nice article thanks for sharing. You could also consider using Photoshop, make the image a smart object, enlarge the canvas then scale the image to fit. This isn’t perfect but it has got me out a fix on a few occasions.
Jim Massman
A note for anyone who’s interested in editing pictures: Image formats generally used on the Web are based upon compression algorithms and you can get into trouble easily when editing those formats unless you edit a “lossless” copy. This is an old trick I’ve used for years after seeing some horrible results… simply save the first file in a non-compression file format such as “.tif”; edit that file to your hearts content, then “File Save As” in the .jpg or .png format.
Remember that every time you open, edit, then save a .jpg or .png file, whatever compression settings your graphics editing program has been set to will “recompress” that file. Most programs allow you to determine the compression rate, so it doesn’t hurt to set the default value to the least “loss” setting. The days of ‘needing’ to smash file sizes down for fast page loads are pretty much gone… but you may not know what the program defaults have been set to.
$0.02
Jim
_.- M -._
“The days of ‘needing’ to smash file sizes down for fast page loads are pretty much gone…”
That would depend upon your definition of ‘need’, as well as some rudimentary understanding of your target audience.
Is your target audience composed entirely of urban dwellers with access to fast broadband, who only visit your site while at home? Then, *maybe* that’s true.
If, on the other hand, you’re interested in reaching any rural audience at all, then you need to keep in mind that *25%* of the population of the rural US can’t get broad band access, and that 6% of the overall US population doesn’t have broadband access.
If you still say, “Oh, I don’t care about those 16 million potential visitors”, then stop and look at it from the perspective of the mobile web. Does your visitor-base have smart phones? Do you want to support a mobile experience? (A little clue here, your answer should be ‘yes’.) Then guess again. You DO still ‘need’ to do image optimization to minimize the bandwidth requirements for your site.
If you’re a real professional in the business of providing content to users, then *YES* you need to care about the actual user experience for folks visiting your site. And, part of that *IS* still site optimization for speed.
Richard
Guys, there is no way you can enlarge or shrink a pixel. Pixel size is relative. You can only add or subtract pixels.
Akash KB
Very nice and useful tips for resizing images. Specially the ‘Perfect Resize’ Plugin for Photoshop. Resizing of images is a very common day to day activity of bloggers while adding photos to blog posts
Melissa Klotz
I love this site and a lot of your posts have been very helpful. But I’m really scratching my head on this one. Maybe it’s my eyes, maybe my monitor, but I’m seeing very little difference between the “normal resize” and the other resizes. There are plenty of other resampling options in Photoshop. I don’t understand why you would buy a $150 photoshop plugin (extremely expensive for a plugin) or download free software to do something Photoshop is inherently capable of.