Grayscale PDF
Convert colour PDFs to grayscale or black and white.
or drop files here
Free: files up to 100 MB · up to 10 files · 15 of 15 free tasks left today. See plans
Files are encrypted in transit and deleted after 2 hours. You can delete them sooner.
What can Grayscale PDF do?
Converts to grey
Converts text, drawings and images to shades of grey.
Sharp black text
Pure black text and drawings for the sharpest print, with images in grey or in colour.
Optional image compression
Optional image compression to 150 dpi for a smaller file.
Grayscale files left alone
Files that are already grayscale are left alone, and the task is not counted.
To convert a PDF to grayscale or black and white, add it to Grayscale PDF and select Convert to grayscale; colours become shades of grey, text can be pure black, and the file often gets smaller.
How to convert a PDF to black and white in 3 steps
- 1
Choose your PDF files, or drop them anywhere on the page.
- 2
Pick how text and drawings, and images, should be converted.
- 3
Select Convert to grayscale and download your PDF.
How do I make a PDF grayscale?
To make a PDF grayscale, add it to Grayscale PDF and select Convert to grayscale; every colour on every page is rewritten as a shade of grey. It works on text, vector graphics and images, so the document prints without colour, which saves colour ink.
Can I keep images in colour?
Yes. Set Text and drawings to Pure black and Images to Keep colour. Text and lines then print in solid black while photos keep their colours, which suits printed handouts and forms.
Will converting to grayscale reduce file size?
Converting to grayscale often makes scans and photo-heavy PDFs smaller. For the biggest saving, turn on Compress images, or run the result through Compress PDF afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a PDF to black and white?
Add the PDF to Grayscale PDF, set Text and drawings to Pure black and select Convert to grayscale. Text and lines print in solid black, and images are turned grey.
What is the difference between grayscale and black and white?
Grayscale uses shades of grey, so photos and shading keep their detail. Pure black turns text and drawings solid black for the crispest print, while images stay grey or, if you choose, in colour.
Will a grayscale PDF be smaller?
Often, especially for scans and photos. Turn on Compress images, which lowers image resolution to 150 dpi, for a bigger saving.
Is the text still selectable after converting?
Yes. Only the colours change; text, links and layout stay as they are.
What if my PDF is already grayscale?
We leave it alone and tell you, and the task is not counted against your daily limit.
Is it safe to convert a PDF to grayscale online?
Yes. Files are processed on our servers, encrypted in transit and deleted automatically after 2 hours. The limits for your plan are shown on the page before you upload.
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Last updated 23 October 2026