How to Change the Size of the Eraser in Microsoft Paint

PDF download Download Article
A step-by-step guide to adjusting the eraser tool size in MS Paint on Windows
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to change the size of the eraser in Microsoft Paint? You can make the eraser bigger or smaller by using the program's size presets or with your full-sized keyboard. If you don't have a keyboard with a number pad, you can always use the On-screen Keyboard app. This wikiHow will show you how to increase or decrease the size of the eraser in MS Paint using your Windows computer.

How to Adjust Eraser Size in Paint

On your keyboard, press "CTRL" and "+" (NumPad) at the same time to increase the size of your eraser or "-" and (NumPad) to decrease it.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Increasing Eraser Size

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Use-Microsoft-Paint-in-Windows-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-Microsoft-Paint-in-Windows-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Use-Microsoft-Paint-in-Windows-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Use-Microsoft-Paint-in-Windows-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Open Microsoft Paint. You can use Microsoft Paint to draw and color or edit images.
    • Paint should be an included app in your Windows device. If you don't have it, you can download it from the Microsoft Store.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This looks like a pink eraser, underneath the pencil icon.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Use-Microsoft-Paint-in-Windows-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-Microsoft-Paint-in-Windows-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Use-Microsoft-Paint-in-Windows-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Use-Microsoft-Paint-in-Windows-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will be the icon with different lines of varying thickness.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can select from four preset sizes. Clicking them will change your eraser to its size.
    • If you want to make your eraser bigger or smaller than the preset sizes, skip to the next step.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To increase your eraser size, press CTRL and + (Number Pad) at the same time. To decrease your eraser size, press CTRL and - (Number Pad) at the same time.
    • The Number Pad is the right-most section of a full-sized keyboard. This won't work with the + or - at the top of your keyboard.
    • If you don't have a full-sized keyboard or numeric keypad, see Using the On-Screen Keyboard to complete this method.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using the On-Screen Keyboard

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Open the Windows On-Screen Keyboard. Click the Start menu and type on-screen keyboard. Click the "On-Screen Keyboard" app.
    • You'll notice that the On-Screen Keyboard stays visible even when Paint is the active window.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    By default, the On-Screen Keyboard does not have the numeric keypad enabled.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The numeric pad will appear on the right side of the On-Screen Keyboard. [1]
    • Make sure you have Paint open behind your On-screen Keyboard.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-the-Eraser-Bigger-in-MS-Paint-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll need to use your keyboard and mouse simultaneously.
    • To increase the size, hold the CTRL key on your keyboard and click + on the On-screen Keyboard. This is the + key on the number pad to the right of Del .
    • To decrease the size, hold the CTRL key on your keyboard and click - on the On-screen Keyboard. This is the - key on the number pad to the right of PgDn .
    • Do this as many times as needed to reach your desired eraser size.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    It didn't work. What do I do?
    GrassyMania B
    Community Answer
    Try to hold down the control key and the + key on your keyboard. Make sure you are holding them both down at the exact same time, or it won't work.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 91 Helpful 31
  • Question
    What do I do if Ctrl and + doesn't work when making the eraser bigger in MS Paint?
    Community Answer
    Make sure that the + key you pressed is the one on the numpad, located at the very right of your keyboard. Do not press the + key on the number row located along the top of your keyboard under the function keys.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 40 Helpful 44
  • Question
    How do I get the options button?
    Community Answer
    Have you opened on-screen keyboard? If you have not opened on-screen keyboard, go to Start (Windows key) and type "Screen Keyboard" without the quotation marks. The Options button is in the bottom right.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 12
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • To reset the eraser size back to default, then you can close and then reopen Paint. You cannot save an eraser size.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • The On-Screen Keyboard will save its settings, so you don't have to enable the keypad again if you close it.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • You can use CTRL and Page Up or Page Down to change the size, too.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Use Microsoft Paint in Windows
      How to
      Open Microsoft Paint
      How to
      Enable a Keyboard on PC or Mac
      How to
      Remove the White Background in Microsoft Paint
      How to
      Resize an Image in Microsoft Paint
      How to
      Use Color Replacement in MS Paint
      How to
      Invert Colours in MS Paint
      How to
      Change an Image Background in MS Paint (Green Screen)
      How to
      Create and Use Custom Icons
      How to
      Create an Icon in Paint
      How to
      Open Multiple Pictures in Microsoft Paint
      How to
      Make a Blend in Microsoft Paint
      Simple Steps to Make a Gradient in MS Paint
      5 Quick Steps to How to Draw a Perfect Circle on Microsoft Paint
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-the-on-screen-keyboard-osk-to-type-ecbb5e08-5b4e-d8c8-f794-81dbf896267a

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click the eraser tool.
      2. Click the Size menu.
      3. Select a size.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 516,396 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement