Grayscale PDF
Turn every page of a colour PDF into grayscale, ready for printing on a black-and-white printer without wasting colour ink.
- Select a PDF file
- Choose the quality
- Convert and download
Your files never leave your device
Print in black and white
Colour printing is expensive, and some offices and universities only accept black-and-white documents. This tool converts every page to grayscale using the brightness of each colour, so charts and photos stay readable.
Before you convert
- Choose 300 DPI if the document contains small print.
- Keep the original PDF if you need searchable text later.
- Combine with Compress PDF if you need a smaller file.
Related tasks
- To reduce file size, use Compress PDF.
- To add page numbers before printing, use Add Page Numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Why convert a PDF to grayscale?
To save colour ink, to meet submission rules that require black and white, or to preview how a document prints on a monochrome printer.
Will the text stay selectable?
No. Pages are converted to grayscale images, so text can no longer be selected or searched. Keep your original file for editing.
Which quality should I choose?
150 DPI is enough for most printing. Choose 300 DPI for small text or fine details; the file will be larger.
Does the file get smaller?
It depends. Colourful pages often get smaller; text-only documents may become larger because pages become images.
Are all pages converted?
Yes. Every page is converted and keeps its original size and orientation.
Is my file uploaded?
No. Conversion happens in your browser and the PDF never leaves your device.