How to convert an image to grayscale
- Upload your image.
- Preview the grayscale version instantly.
- Click to apply the conversion.
- Download the black and white image.
Grayscale versus pure black and white
A grayscale image uses shades of grey between black and white, typically 256 levels, which keeps all the tonal detail of a photo. Pure black and white, or 1-bit, has only two colours and is used mostly for line art and faxes. What most people call a black and white photo is actually grayscale.
How colours become grey
A good conversion does not simply average red, green and blue. Our eyes see green as much brighter than blue, so each colour is weighted by how bright it appears. A blue sky and green grass that looked equally bold in colour therefore become different shades of grey, just as they would on black and white film.
When to use grayscale
Grayscale gives portraits and street photos a classic mood, prints cleanly on black and white printers, and can make scanned documents easier to read. Converting is a one-way step, so keep your colour original. If you only want to tone colours down, lower the saturation partway with Adjust Image instead. Product and property photos are usually better left in colour, but grayscale versions work well for printed handouts and as subtle background images on websites.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert a grayscale image back to colour?
No. Colour information is discarded, so keep the original file if you may need it.
Will a grayscale JPG be much smaller?
Not necessarily. Browser-encoded images still store three colour channels, so the file size often stays similar.
Is transparency kept?
Yes. PNG and WebP images keep their transparent areas.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The conversion is done in your browser.