Grayscale PDF
Convert a colour PDF to grayscale or black and white.
Each page is redrawn as a grayscale image, so text in the result can no longer be selected or searched.
About this tool
Grayscale PDF turns a colour document into shades of gray, or strict black and white, which saves colour ink and meets upload rules that ask for monochrome scans. Each page is redrawn as a grayscale image, so text in the result is no longer selectable. Your files are processed on your own device. Nothing is uploaded to our servers.
How to use Grayscale PDF
- Choose the colour PDF.
- Pick a quality, and tick “Pure black and white” if you need it.
- Press “Convert to grayscale” and download.
Questions people ask
Why is the text not selectable afterwards?
Pages are rendered as images and then converted pixel by pixel. That is what guarantees no colour remains, but it removes the text layer. Keep the original if you need to copy text.
How are colours turned into gray?
Each pixel uses the standard luma formula 0.299 × red + 0.587 × green + 0.114 × blue, which matches how bright the human eye sees each colour.
Which quality should I choose?
Normal (150 DPI) is right for most forms and on-screen reading. Use High (300 DPI) for printing small text, and Small file when an upload limit is tight.