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Grayscale PDF – Convert a Color PDF to Black and White

A free tool that converts a color PDF to black and white (grayscale). Use it when you’re asked to submit in black and white, or to check how a document will look when printed without color. Choose standard or high quality.

Your files are processed in your browser and are never uploaded to a server.

How to convert a PDF to grayscale

  1. 1Tap “Select PDF file”, or drag and drop a PDF.
  2. 2Choose the quality (standard or high).
  3. 3Tap “Convert to grayscale”.
  4. 4Check the preview and download the PDF.

Supported files and limits

Supported files
One PDF file (.pdf)
You get
A black-and-white (grayscale) PDF
File size
Up to 100MB per file
Good to know
  • Each page is turned into an image before it's converted, so text in the result can't be selected or searched.
  • Password-protected or edit-restricted PDFs can't be processed. Remove the password first with Unlock PDF.

When you need a black-and-white PDF

  • You’re asked to submit a document in black and white
  • You want to check how it will look before printing in black and white at a convenience store
  • You want to see whether color charts and photos can still be told apart without color

Choosing the quality

“Standard (smaller file)” suits viewing on screen and sending by email. “High (sharper text)” suits documents with fine text or ones you’ll print.

About the converted PDF

Converting to grayscale turns each page into an image. Afterwards, text can no longer be selected, copied or searched.

Text-heavy PDFs may also get larger than the original, while photo-heavy PDFs may get smaller. If there’s a size limit, compress the PDF after converting.

Related tools

To make the converted file smaller, use Compress PDF. To convert only some pages, split them out, convert, and merge again.

Your PDF is never uploaded

Your PDF isn’t uploaded to a server; it’s converted in your browser.

Works on a phone

You can convert in iPhone and Android browsers too. PDFs with many pages may take a while.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is it free?

A. Yes. It’s free with no usage limits, and no watermark is added.

Q. Can I still select text after converting?

A. No. Each page becomes an image, so text can no longer be selected or copied.

Q. Will the file get smaller?

A. It depends on the PDF. Text-heavy PDFs can get larger. To make it smaller, use Compress PDF.

Q. Which quality should I choose?

A. “Standard” to view or send, and “High” for printing or fine text.

Q. Can I convert only some pages?

A. Currently every page is converted. For some pages only, split, convert, then merge.

Q. Is it grayscale rather than pure black and white?

A. Yes. Colors are converted to shades of gray.

Q. Can I use it to check before printing?

A. Yes. You can see whether color differences are still distinguishable in black and white.

Q. Is my PDF uploaded to a server?

A. No. It’s processed in your browser.

Q. Do I need to sign up?

A. No. Just open the page and start using it.

Q. Does it work with password-protected PDFs?

A. No. It can’t be used on password-protected PDFs or PDFs with editing restrictions. Remove the restriction first, then try again.

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