How to re-size a picture for use as an avatar

[BrianMac]

In order to use a picture as an avatar, the image must be less than 200 x 300 pixels in physical size, AND use less than 50 kB of memory space. A “pixel” is a physical measurement (a dot, essentially) of how much screen space an image takes up. “kB,” or kilobytes, is a measure of memory space, and this represents how much memory the computer needs to store your image.

How to determine the size of your image.

You can check how much memory a picture uses by right-clicking on it and selecting “Properties” (on a Mac this is “Get Info").

This image uses 12 kB of memory. If the number shown here is greater than 50 kB (or 50,000 bytes, depending on how your computer displays), then the image takes up too much memory to use as an avatar. One way to reduce this number is to reduce the size of the image. However, even if this number is less than 50 kB, the next step is to check the physical size of the image.

Click on the “Details” tab to see the physical size of the image (on a Mac, this is "More Info").

This image is 235 pixels wide by 87 pixels tall. These numbers need to be 200px wide by 300px tall or less in order to use this image as an avatar.

How to change the size of your image.

The easiest way to change the size of an image may be to use a free website such as http://picresize.com/, which was recommended by forum member billkatz.

This is the site I used to resize CIndy's avatar:
http://picresize.com/
It took some work to get her text to not get blurred when the high-def phone picture (2000+ pixels/side) was shrunk to avatar size (<180 pixels per side and <12kB). What I did was first convert it from jpeg to gif at full resolution to reduce it to 256 colors, and then I changed the size and saved it as a jpeg with the max file size specified.

[Note: Since billkatz posted this message, the kB limit has been increased to 20].

Websites like these let you upload your image, help you adjust the size, and then save the newly re-sized image to your computer, at which point you can upload it to this site as your avatar.

You can also manually change the size of an image using a simple program such as Microsoft Paint, which may have come with your computer. I’m sure advanced programs like Photoshop can also do this.

In Paint, open your picture and select “Resize”

Then make sure "Pixels" and "Maintain aspect ratio" are both checked. Next, set the larger of the two numbers (Height and Width) to 300 x 200. The other should adjust automatically and proportionately.

Save the new image to your computer, at which point you can upload it to this site as your avatar.


As of 10-7-2024 (and much earlier) the size limits and settings are as follow:

[Stukmn]

Ha! Wish I had come here first. Spent about 20 minutes trying to figure out how to resize my photo before finally googling it and finding a website similar to the one you mentioned.

[Joe Ross]

SUGGESTION: The pixel count may be correct, but the file size may be too big.

Following Brian's instructions, determine your avatar's properties in pixels/side. Also determine the avatar's file size. In MS Paint: File - Properties

Use calculator or app to determine pixel reduction (200 w x 300 t pixels max / largest width x height # in pixels).

Use calculator or app to determine file size reduction (50 KB / avatar's file size).

Reduce to the lower PERCENTAGE (i.e. greater reduction) of the pixel vs file size calculations.

[SReh26]

Thank you everyone!! I have what I need! Much obliged!

[Joe Ross]

bump