File Format & Compatibility

Fix Word Images Not Displaying at 100% in EPUB Files

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is concerned about images inserted into a Word document changing physical size, specifically appearing smaller than 100% or exceeding the page width when manually scaled, which raises concerns about images getting cut off in the final EPUB format.

Why Word Images Do Not Display at 100% in EPUB and How to Fix It

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a document containing images for eBook publishing and converting it to the EPUB format.
Observed behavior: Images display at a smaller physical size than expected, and manually adjusting them to 100% makes them wider than the Word document page, creating uncertainty about how the EPUB reader will render them.

Before you start

Before altering your images, check the specific image resolution and formatting guidelines of your intended eBook publishing platform (such as Amazon Kindle or Barnes & Noble), as their requirements dictate how images will render.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust the Image's Pixel-Per-Inch (PPI) Resolution

Modify the embedded resolution of your image to change its physical display size in the document without losing image quality or altering the actual pixel count.

The physical size of an image in a word processor depends heavily on its embedded resolution (Pixels Per Inch or PPI). A 1000 x 1000 pixel image saved at 300 PPI will display much smaller (about 3.33 inches) compared to the same image saved at 72 PPI (about 13.88 inches). To make an image display at your desired physical size at 100% scale, you must adjust its PPI before inserting it into the document.

Note that basic programs like Microsoft Paint cannot modify the PPI metadata of an image. You will need a dedicated image editor such as GIMP or Adobe Photoshop.

Open your image in GIMP

Launch the free image editor GIMP and open the picture you intend to insert into your document.

Access the scale settings

Navigate to the top menu and select 'Image', then click on 'Scale Image'.

Modify the X and Y resolution

In the Scale Image dialog box, locate the 'X resolution' and 'Y resolution' fields. Increase the value (e.g., to 300) to make the physical display smaller, or decrease it (e.g., to 72) to make it larger.

Save and reinsert

Click 'Scale', save the updated image, and then insert this newly saved image into your document.

Adjust the Image's Pixel-Per-Inch (PPI) Resolution

Image Quality: Changing the PPI does not add or remove pixels; it only changes the instruction given to the software about how large the image should be printed or displayed on the screen.

Solution 2

Preview the Document with an EPUB Viewer

Since word processors and eReaders handle image boundaries differently, the most accurate way to check for cropped images is to test the converted EPUB file directly.

Advanced Image Formatting

Control Image Sizes Precisely with WPS Writer

Ensure your images are perfectly scaled before exporting your manuscript. WPS Writer offers robust picture tools that allow you to dictate exact physical dimensions and scaling percentages for flawless eBook formatting.

1. Open Your Manuscript: Launch WPS Writer and open the document you are preparing for eBook publication.
2. Select the Image: Click on any inserted image in your document to bring up the 'Picture Tools' tab on the top ribbon.
3. Adjust Scale and Size: Use the settings in the Size group to input exact physical measurements or lock the aspect ratio and adjust the scaling percentage to 100%.
4. Save for Conversion: Save your accurately formatted document, which is now ready to be seamlessly run through your preferred EPUB converter.

Precise image scaling and dimension controlsFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsFamiliar, user-friendly layout interfaceLightweight performance even with high-resolution images

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do GIF images look extremely large when inserted into a document?

GIF files generally do not contain embedded resolution (PPI) settings. Without this data, word processors typically assume a default resolution of 72 PPI, which causes the image to display at a very large physical size.

Can I use Microsoft Paint to fix the resolution of my images?

No, Microsoft Paint does not have the capability to adjust an image's embedded pixels-per-inch (PPI) resolution. You must use a more advanced image editor like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop to change the X and Y resolution.

Will images that are wider than the document page get cut off in the final EPUB?

Usually, no. EPUB is a reflowable format, and most standard eBook readers automatically resize images to fit within the screen's margins. However, because each publishing platform (like Amazon or Barnes & Noble) has different rendering rules, you should always preview your EPUB file in a dedicated eBook viewer to confirm.

Document & File Issues