Select language

Interface controls and tool names are translated. Detailed instructions, legal text and some form labels remain in English. Your files are not translated.
Easy To Use - 140+ Free Online Tools

Grayscale Image

Convert an image to grayscale.

Drop your files here

or

Choose files

Max 100 MB per file · JPG, JPEG, JFIF, PNG, WEBP, GIF, BMP, TIF

    Image options

    PNG output. Animation uses the first frame. Large images may be resized. Multiple images follow the upload queue order.

    Your file is ready!

    Download
    Free No watermark No sign-up Files never uploaded
    Scan looks faded?Use Adjust Image Contrast afterwards.
    Want an old-photo look?Try Sepia Image instead.
    Printing documents?Grey text is often clearer.

    Related Tools

    Compress ImageShrink JPG, PNG and WEBP images while keeping them sharp.Resize ImageChange the width and height of JPG, PNG and WEBP images.Crop ImageCut the edges of an image or crop it to a square, 4:3 or 16:9.Rotate ImageRotate an image by 90°, 180° or 270°.Watermark ImageAdd your own text watermark to an image.Remove Image MetadataRe-encode an image as PNG without copying original EXIF, GPS or source metadata.Add Image BorderAdd a coloured border around an image.Adjust Image BrightnessMake an image brighter or darker.Adjust Image ContrastIncrease or decrease image contrast.Flip Image HorizontallyMirror an image from left to right.

    How to use Grayscale Image

    1. Select your images.Add the colour photo or ID scan that must be black and white.
    2. Click Grayscale Image.Standard brightness weighting keeps faces and text natural.
    3. Download your image.Save the grey PNG; transparent areas stay transparent.
    4. Check the image.It should now be black, white and grey.

    About Grayscale Image

    When is it useful? Grayscale Image turns a colour picture into black-and-white shades of grey — for classic-looking portraits, for documents that will be printed in black and white, or for forms that ask for a grayscale photo or scan.

    Good to know: each pixel is converted using the standard brightness weighting (more green, less blue), so faces and text keep natural contrast. Transparent areas stay transparent. The result is a PNG file; camera and GPS details are not copied.

    Example: an online form asks for a black-and-white scan of your ID card, but your phone photo is in colour. Convert it to grayscale, then raise the contrast slightly with Adjust Image Contrast, and the details stay clear while meeting the form's colour rule.

    Tips for Better Results

    • For printed documents, grayscale often gives clearer text than colour.
    • Use Adjust Image Contrast afterwards to make faded scans stronger.
    • Want an old-photo look instead? Try Sepia Image.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Will faces and text still look natural?
    Yes. The standard brightness weighting (more green, less blue) keeps natural contrast.
    A form wants a black-and-white ID scan — what do I do?
    Convert it here, then raise the contrast slightly with Adjust Image Contrast.
    Does a transparent logo stay transparent in grey?
    Yes. Transparent areas stay transparent in the PNG.
    Works with: Windows Photos · Mac Preview · phone gallery · WhatsApp · websites · black-and-white printers

    What converts well, and what doesn't

    In your pictureAfter grayscale
    ColoursShades of grey
    Brightness weightingStandard (more green, less blue)
    Faces and textKeep natural contrast
    Transparent areasStay transparent
    Saved asPNG — camera and GPS details not copied
    💡 Tip: For printed documents, grayscale often gives clearer text than colour.

    Common uses

    ID card scansForms asking for B&W.
    PortraitsClassic look.
    PrintingBlack-and-white printers.
    FormsGrayscale photo rules.
    DocumentsClearer printed text.
    DesignMonochrome style.

    Is my file safe?

    Browser processing: your files are processed on your own device and are never uploaded to our server.

    Advertisement
    Guide

    Grayscale Image: a complete guide

    Why remove colour

    Grayscale pictures print cleanly on black-and-white printers, make documents look consistent, meet forms that ask for grayscale scans, and give portraits a timeless look. Removing colour can also make text in photos of documents easier to read.

    How the conversion works

    Each pixel's brightness is calculated with the standard weighting used in television and photography: green counts most, then red, then blue, because our eyes are most sensitive to green. This keeps faces, skies and text looking natural in grey. Transparent areas remain transparent, and the result is saved as a PNG.

    Getting a better black-and-white picture

    After converting, faded scans and dull photos often benefit from more contrast — use Adjust Image Contrast. For photos of documents where only text matters, Scan to PDF in black-and-white mode gives an even cleaner result.

    Common problems and how to fix them

    The picture looks flat: increase contrast. Two colours look the same in grey: red and green of similar brightness can become identical shades — this is normal for grayscale. The form wants a JPG: convert the PNG with Image to JPG.

    Good habits

    Keep your colour original, convert copies, and check the result at full size before printing.

    Advertisement