---
title: "2011 05 30 resizing ec2 instances"
description: "An EC2 instance needs to be stopped before it can be resized. Also, it can only be resized to a \"compatible\" type (ie, one with a compatible kernel, 32 bit or 64 bit). So, if you started with a 32 bit `t1.micro` you can only resize up to a 32 bit `m1.small`. If you started with a 64 bit `t1.micro` you could resize up to a 64 bit `m1.large`."
type: skill
canonical_url: https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/2011-05-30-resizing-ec2-instances
source: "Claudary"
difficulty: intermediate
author: "Claude Code Knowledge Pack"
date: 2026-07-10T10:58:46.492Z
license: CC-BY-4.0
attribution: "2011 05 30 resizing ec2 instances — Claudary (https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/2011-05-30-resizing-ec2-instances)"
---

# 2011 05 30 resizing ec2 instances
An EC2 instance needs to be stopped before it can be resized. Also, it can only be resized to a "compatible" type (ie, one with a compatible kernel, 32 bit or 64 bit). So, if you started with a 32 bit `t1.micro` you can only resize up to a 32 bit `m1.small`. If you started with a 64 bit `t1.micro` you could resize up to a 64 bit `m1.large`.

## Overview

---
title: Resizing EC2 Instances
date: 2011-05-30
draft: false
slug: resizing-ec2-instances
---

An EC2 instance needs to be stopped before it can be resized. Also, it can only be resized to a "compatible" type (ie, one with a compatible kernel, 32 bit or 64 bit). So, if you started with a 32 bit `t1.micro` you can only resize up to a 32 bit `m1.small`. If you started with a 64 bit `t1.micro` you could resize up to a 64 bit `m1.large`.

~~~ console
wintermute:~ $ ec2-stop-instances i-3e15ff51
INSTANCE        i-3e15ff51      running stopping
wintermute:~ $ ec2-modify-instance-attribute -t m2.2xlarge i-3e15ff51
Client.IncorrectInstanceState: The instance 'i-3e15ff51' is not in the 'stopped' state.
wintermute:~ $ ec2-modify-instance-attribute -t m2.2xlarge i-3e15ff51
instanceType    i-3e15ff51      m2.2xlarge
wintermute:~ $ ec2-start-instances i-3e15ff51
INSTANCE        i-3e15ff51      stopped pending
~~~

By the way, these short posts are essentially notes to myself while working (I keep forgetting the syntax!). I've got some Cherokee-related posts in the pipeline, I just need to find some extra spare time at night.

In the meantime, [follow me on Twitter](https://twitter.com/davidltaylor), it's free.

---

Source: [Claudary](https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/2011-05-30-resizing-ec2-instances) · https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com