4 Ways to Upscale an Image on Windows and macOS

We’ve all been there when we revisit older photographs, only to be troubled by the smaller resolution. A little zooming in and bam – it’s all blurry. This is a bigger issue if you wish to resize images, but the bigger sizes always pixelate. Whether you’re a budding photographer, a graphic designer, or someone who loves sharing pictures, the need to upscale an image might arise. Thankfully, there are easy ways to upscale an image on Windows and macOS. And that’s what we’ll be talking about today.

In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the easiest and most user-friendly methods to enhance your visuals without breaking a sweat. We’ll guide you through easy and effective ways to upscale your images on Windows and macOS systems. These methods will ensure that your shots look sharper and more impressive. So, grab your mouse and prepare to witness the magic of image upscaling.

Method 1: Using an Online Tool – Pixelcut

For those seeking a quick and effortless solution, Pixelcut emerges as a shining beacon in the online realm. While its mobile apps serve well to add stickers to Instagram posts and stories, the online tool has added features. This free, user-friendly tool lets you upscale images in a matter of clicks without downloading any software. Here’s how to use Pixelcut to enlarge images without losing quality for free.

Step 1: Open the web browser of your choice on your Windows or macOS device. Head over to Pixelcut’s website.

Use PixelCut

Step 2: Click on ‘Upload image’. Now, browse your computer and select the image you wish to upscale. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the image to this window.

Step 3: Once the image is uploaded, Pixelcut will automatically upscale it to a higher resolution. By default, the upscaled image will be 2x (twice) the resolution of the original image. However, you can upscale the image to 4x by clicking on the option in the left pane.

Step 4: And that’s it. With your image upscaled, you can save the image to your PC by clicking on the Download button in the top-right corner.

Method 2: Using an Offline Tool – Upscayl

As seamless as Pixelcut is, not everyone is comfortable uploading their images on the internet. If you prefer to keep your images offline and use your system’s resources for the needful, you can try Upscayl. This software boasts advanced upscaling algorithms and intuitive controls, making it a perfect choice for beginners and seasoned adventurers. Here’s how to upscale an image without losing quality.

Step 1: Go to Upscayl’s official website. You can download the application to your system based on your operating system. It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Once downloaded, install it on your system like any other application.

Download Upscayl

Step 2: Once installed, launch Upscayl. Click on Select Image and find the image you wish to upscale.

Step 3: Now, click on the button below Select Model. There are multiple models to select from here, varying from general photos to digital art. Select the model that best matches your image. If you’re unsure, select ‘General Photo (Ultrasharp)’.

Step 4: Next, change the output folder’s path. To do that, click on ‘Set Output Folder’, and select your preferred location. By default, the upscaled image will be outputted to the same folder as the original image.

Step 5: Finally, click on Upscayl.

The app will now process and upscale your image using AI along with the model you specified. If you’re unhappy with the results, try using a different model, as mentioned in Step 3.

Method 3: Using Adobe Photoshop

When working with offline software, one thing to note is that the processing time largely depends on the available resources. If you own a system with high-end specifications, the app should upscale images faster. However, if you don’t mind paying, try using Adobe Photoshop. It’s the industry-standard software that offers unparalleled control and customization. While paid, it allows you to fine-tune your image to perfection. Here’s how to upscale an image in Photoshop.

Step 1: Launch Adobe Photoshop on your system. Open the image you wish to upscale. Now, navigate to the Image menu and click on Image Size.

Step 2: In the new box that appears, enter your desired dimensions in the Width and Height fields. Ensure to maintain your image’s proportions.

Step 3: Now, select the Resample option and choose ‘Preserve Details 2.0’.

Step 4: Finally, click on OK. And that’s it.

Photoshop will now process the image and upscale it based on your settings. Also, if you’re unhappy with the processing, you can use a different resample model, as mentioned in Step 3. You can also edit it further as per your needs or save it to your chosen location.

Method 4: Using GIMP

Now, what if you like the fine-tuning of Photoshop, along with the enhanced privacy, but don’t want to spend money on paid software? For budget-conscious heroes, GIMP stands as a valiant alternative to Photoshop. This powerful, free image editor offers surprisingly robust upscaling capabilities. Here’s how to upscale an image to 4K or other resolutions easily using GIMP.

Step 1: Download and install GIMP on your system. It’s free software available for all platforms.

Download GIMP

Step 2: Once done, open your image inside GIMP. Now, head to the Image menu and select Scale Image.

Step 3: Similar to Photoshop, modify the width and height parameters to achieve the desired upscale effect. Then, in the Interpolation dropdown menu, choose Cubic.

Step 4: Finally, click on Scale.

And that’s it. GIMP will automatically enhance and upscale your image.

Say No to Pixelation

And there you have it – a plethora of options to effortlessly upscale your images on both Windows and macOS. Whether you prefer the simplicity of online tools like Pixelcut, the offline capabilities of Upscayl, the precision of Adobe Photoshop, or the freedom of GIMP, enhancing your visuals has never been easier. Happy editing!