This tutorial provides step by step instructions on how to resize the dimensions of video files using completely free and open source software for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Please note: the steps and screenshots in this guide are from HandBrake running in Windows. The steps are similar enough (though not identical) for the macOS and Linux versions of HandBrake that you should have no trouble at all following along, even if you’re not using Windows.
- Get started by downloading HandBrake and installing it. The app itself isn’t very big and doesn’t take long to download or install. Once the installation has completed, launch HandBrake.
- Now you’ll need to load the video that you want to resize. To do so, click the File – Open a single video file. link.
- Select the video and then click the Open button.
- Once the video has been loaded into HandBrake, select the Dimensions tab.
- Locate the Size section – this is where you set the dimensions you want the video to have. Make your changes to both the Width: and Height: numbers by using the up/down arrows next to each item. Make sure to maintain the same aspect ratio or the resulting video will looked ‘squished’.
- Confirm that the Output: lists the Display size with your newly set dimensions.
- Feel free to review the other encoding options that HandBrake offers, if you’d like. They have great documentation, and the app itself has a lot of features. This step is not mandatory, and the default settings will probably suit your needs. Plus, you can always make changes and try again if you’re not happy with the result the first time.
- Finally, give your new video a name and choose a location to save the file in the Save As: field at the bottom of the window. Click the Start Encode button when you’re ready.
- The status of your encode will be displayed at the bottom of the HandBrake app window. The larger (file size) and longer the video is, the longer this process will take. You may want to go grab yourself a cup of coffee. Of course, you can continue to use your computer while HandBrake does its thing – it’ll just be a bit slower.
- Once HandBrake is done resizing the video, open up a File Explorer and locate the newly created file. Select it and then click the Properties button in the ribbon or right-click the file and choose Properties from the context menu.
- Click the Details tab and locate the Video section on that screen. Confirm that the Frame width and Frame height are set to the correct, new dimensions.
- Open the file in your favorite video player and confirm it looks the way it should etc.
- That’s it! You’re all done.
HandBrake is a super helpful tool you can use for much more than just resizing videos, like converting videos to play on your iPhone or iPad and copying DVDs to play on your phone, tablet or computer.
