Resize and color space
Image resize
Section titled “Image resize”Turn on resizing to change image dimensions. The same settings apply in both Convert and Compress, so you can drop pixel dimensions while shaving file size in either mode. Six modes to choose from:
| Mode | What It Does | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage | Scale by a percentage of the original size | 50% |
| Fixed Width | Set a specific width; height adjusts to maintain aspect ratio | 1920 px |
| Fixed Height | Set a specific height; width adjusts to maintain aspect ratio | 1080 px |
| Max Dimensions | Constrain to maximum width and height — image is scaled down only if it exceeds either limit | 1920 x 1080 px |
| Exact Dimensions | Resize to an exact width and height | 1920 x 1080 px |
| Max File Size | Scale the image down just enough to fit a target file size | 500 KB |
Max File Size
Section titled “Max File Size”Type a target size (in KB or MB) and Picmal scales each image down until it fits. It searches for the largest size that still lands under your budget, so you keep as much detail as possible. Images already under the target are left at full size. This mode is for images only — it isn’t available for audio or video.
Aspect ratio
Section titled “Aspect ratio”By default Picmal keeps the original aspect ratio. In Exact Dimensions mode you can override that and stretch the image to fit, if you really want squashed faces.
DPI / Resolution
Section titled “DPI / Resolution”Set the DPI (dots per inch) metadata on output images. This changes how big the image lands when printed or dropped into InDesign or Figma. The pixel dimensions stay exactly the same.
Turn on Set DPI in the output settings and pick a preset, or type your own number.
| Preset | DPI | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 72 | Web, email, social media |
| Windows | 96 | Windows display standard |
| Retina | 144 | Retina / HiDPI displays (2× 72) |
| Draft Print | 150 | Low-quality print proofs |
| 300 | Standard print quality | |
| High-Quality | 600 | Professional / fine art print |
| Custom | 1–9999 | Any value you need |
DPI applies to both converted and compressed images. Audio and video files ignore it (as they should).
Color space
Section titled “Color space”Convert images between color spaces during processing. Useful when the same photo has to go to a browser, a print shop, and your phone without looking like three different images.
| Color Space | Best For |
|---|---|
| sRGB | Web, email, general screen use (standard) |
| Display P3 | Apple devices, wide-gamut displays |
| Adobe RGB (1998) | Professional print workflows |
| ProPhoto RGB | Professional photography, maximum color range |
| Rec. 709 | HD video and broadcast |
| Rec. 2020 | 4K / HDR video |
| Grayscale | Black-and-white output |
| CMYK | Print-ready files, via bundled color profiles |
If you’re not sure, leave it off. sRGB is the safe bet for almost everything. Grayscale drops color entirely for black-and-white output, and CMYK converts through Picmal’s bundled color profiles for print shops that ask for it.
Orientation
Section titled “Orientation”| Mode | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Auto-fix | Physically rotates pixels and removes the orientation tag. The image looks correct everywhere |
| Keep tag | Preserves the original orientation tag in metadata. Some apps may not read it correctly |
Pick Auto-fix if your photos are heading to the web or into apps that habitually forget EXIF orientation exists.