Convert a PDF to grayscale
Remove the colour from every page, for printing on a black-and-white printer, saving ink, or portals that ask for grayscale documents.
Nothing is uploaded. Your files stay private.
Popular uses
Opens the tool with the right settings already chosen.
How to make a PDF black and white
Three steps, about ten seconds.
- 01
Add your PDF
Drop it in the box, or tap to choose it.
- 02
Choose the look
Gray, keep text is best for most files. Black and white suits text documents and scans.
- 03
Download
Press Convert PDF to save the gray copy.
Good to know
Gray, keep text removes colour while keeping everything else exactly as it is: text stays selectable, links still work, and the file barely changes in size.
Gray images and Black and white redraw each page as an image. Black and white is like a photocopy: great for forms and letters, and often smaller for colour scans.
Some government and university portals ask for documents in grayscale. Check the file size afterwards, and use Compress PDF if it's over the limit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a PDF black and white?
Drop the PDF in, choose Black and white or a gray option, and download.
Will text stay selectable?
With Gray, keep text, yes. The other two options turn pages into images.
Does it make the file smaller?
Gray, keep text keeps the size about the same. Black and white is often smaller for colour scans. To shrink the file further, use Compress PDF.
Will it print in black and white?
Yes. Every colour is turned into a shade of gray.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Colours are removed by your browser, so the PDF stays on your device.