diff --git a/core/docs/image-fitting.md b/core/docs/image-fitting.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81dcbdf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/docs/image-fitting.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# Opaque image fitting
+
+`ImageScaler.fitOpaque(source, maxWidth, maxHeight, background)` returns an
+independent RGB BufferedImage. It fits within positive bounds without enlargement,
+keeps aspect ratio to the nearest pixel (minimum one pixel per dimension), and
+composites transparent pixels onto the supplied opaque AWT Color. Bilinear
+interpolation is used. The source is unchanged and graphics resources are released.
+
+This operation is independent of file format and wire encoding. Callers own image
+decoding, any source subsampling, and target quantization. Existing PNG scaling
+methods retain their original behavior.
+
+`ImageScalerTest` verifies fitting, no enlargement, transparent/partial-alpha
+composition, narrow images, source preservation, and invalid bounds.
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/neitzel/core/image/ImageScaler.java b/core/src/main/java/de/neitzel/core/image/ImageScaler.java
index bc357f9..2fc7633 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/neitzel/core/image/ImageScaler.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/neitzel/core/image/ImageScaler.java
@@ -17,6 +17,41 @@ import java.io.InputStream;
 @Slf4j
 public class ImageScaler {
 
+    /**
+     * Fits an image within positive bounds without enlargement, retaining aspect ratio
+     * to the nearest pixel (at least one pixel per dimension). Composites alpha onto
+     * the supplied opaque background and returns an independent RGB image.
+     *
+     * @param source source pixels, never modified
+     * @param maxWidth maximum output width
+     * @param maxHeight maximum output height
+     * @param background opaque background colour
+     * @return fitted image with no alpha channel
+     * @throws IllegalArgumentException for non-positive bounds or translucent background
+     */
+    public static BufferedImage fitOpaque(final BufferedImage source, final int maxWidth,
+                                         final int maxHeight, final Color background) {
+        java.util.Objects.requireNonNull(source, "source");
+        java.util.Objects.requireNonNull(background, "background");
+        if (maxWidth < 1 || maxHeight < 1 || background.getAlpha() != 255)
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("Positive bounds and an opaque background are required");
+        double scale = Math.min(1.0, Math.min((double) maxWidth / source.getWidth(),
+                (double) maxHeight / source.getHeight()));
+        int width = Math.max(1, (int) Math.round(source.getWidth() * scale));
+        int height = Math.max(1, (int) Math.round(source.getHeight() * scale));
+        BufferedImage result = new BufferedImage(width, height, BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_RGB);
+        Graphics2D graphics = result.createGraphics();
+        try {
+            graphics.setColor(background);
+            graphics.fillRect(0, 0, width, height);
+            graphics.setRenderingHint(RenderingHints.KEY_INTERPOLATION, RenderingHints.VALUE_INTERPOLATION_BILINEAR);
+            graphics.drawImage(source, 0, 0, width, height, null);
+        } finally {
+            graphics.dispose();
+        }
+        return result;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Specifies the target image format for scaling operations.
      * <p>
diff --git a/core/src/test/java/de/neitzel/core/image/ImageScalerTest.java b/core/src/test/java/de/neitzel/core/image/ImageScalerTest.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aa6b678
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/test/java/de/neitzel/core/image/ImageScalerTest.java
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+package de.neitzel.core.image;
+
+import java.awt.Color;
+import java.awt.image.BufferedImage;
+import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
+import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.*;
+
+class ImageScalerTest {
+    @Test void fitsWithoutUpscalingAndCompositesTransparency() {
+        BufferedImage source = new BufferedImage(128,64,BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_ARGB);
+        BufferedImage result = ImageScaler.fitOpaque(source,64,64,Color.BLUE);
+        assertEquals(64,result.getWidth());
+        assertEquals(32,result.getHeight());
+        assertEquals(Color.BLUE.getRGB(),result.getRGB(0,0));
+        assertEquals(0,source.getRGB(0,0));
+        BufferedImage tiny = new BufferedImage(1,1,BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_ARGB);
+        tiny.setRGB(0,0,0x80ff0000);
+        result = ImageScaler.fitOpaque(tiny,64,64,Color.BLUE);
+        assertEquals(1,result.getWidth());
+        Color mixed = new Color(result.getRGB(0,0));
+        assertEquals(128,mixed.getRed(),1);
+        assertEquals(127,mixed.getBlue(),1);
+        BufferedImage narrow = ImageScaler.fitOpaque(new BufferedImage(1,1000,BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_ARGB),64,64,Color.BLACK);
+        assertEquals(1,narrow.getWidth()); assertEquals(64,narrow.getHeight());
+        assertThrows(IllegalArgumentException.class, () -> ImageScaler.fitOpaque(tiny,0,64,Color.BLACK));
+    }
+}