Convert PDF to Grayscale
Turn a colour PDF into black and white. Saves ink when printing and meets forms that ask for greyscale scans.
Select PDF file
or drop PDF here
Files are processed securely in your browser.
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How to convert a PDF to black and white
Printing colour pages in black and white saves ink, and some application forms and portals ask for documents in greyscale.
Arcanize converts every page, including photos and coloured text, to shades of grey on your own device. The file is never uploaded.
Every element: Text, drawings and photos are all converted, not just the images.
Print-ready: A true greyscale PDF, so printers don't use colour ink.
Private: Converted in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Convert a PDF to grayscale in 3 steps
- Click Select File and choose your PDF, or drop it onto the page.
- Click Convert to Grayscale.
- Click Download File to save the black and white PDF.
Good to know
- One PDF at a time.
- The first run takes longer because your browser downloads the processing engine (up to 14 MB).
- Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first.
- The file is rewritten during conversion, so its size may change. Run Compress PDF afterwards if you need it smaller.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a colour PDF to black and white?
Select the PDF on this page, click Convert to Grayscale and download the result. Every page is converted to shades of grey.
Is grayscale the same as black and white?
Grayscale keeps shades of grey, so photos still look natural. That is what most forms mean when they ask for a black and white document.
Will grayscale make my PDF smaller?
Often slightly, because colour information is removed, but not always. Use Compress PDF if you need a specific size.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The conversion runs in your browser on your own device.
Related PDF tools
- Compress PDF – Reduce PDF file size with three compression levels.
- PDF to JPG – Convert each PDF page into a JPG or PNG image.
- Watermark PDF – Stamp text like CONFIDENTIAL or DRAFT across every page.