B&W / Grayscale PDF
Create a black-and-white PDF for a cleaner print or shared copy.
*Local PDF tools after the app and required resources have loaded. Optional cloud AI and checkout need a connection.
The interactive tool loads in your browser.
How to convert a PDF to grayscale or pure black and white
Create a monochrome copy locally. Use Smooth Grayscale when you want many gray tones, or Pure B&W when you want only black and white pixels with an adjustable threshold.
- Choose the PDF you want to convert.
- Select Smooth Grayscale or Pure B&W (Photocopy).
- If you choose Pure B&W, adjust the Scan Contrast Threshold while checking the first-page preview.
- Convert the document and download the new PDF.
- Reopen several pages and verify photos, diagrams, light text and fine lines before printing or sharing.
A practical example
A colour report with photographs can use Smooth Grayscale to retain tonal detail, while a text-heavy scan can use Pure B&W with a tuned threshold for stronger photocopy-style contrast.
Common questions
What is the difference between grayscale and pure black and white?
Grayscale keeps many intermediate gray tones. Pure B&W uses only black or white pixels, determined by the selected luminance threshold.
What does the threshold slider do?
In Pure B&W mode, pixels darker than the threshold become black and lighter pixels become white. The current control ranges from 50 to 200.
Will text remain selectable or searchable?
No. The converter renders each page and rebuilds the output from JPEG-backed page images, so normal selectable or OCR text layers do not remain searchable in the converted copy.
Does this preserve vector graphics?
No. The visible page is rendered before the grayscale or black-and-white transform is applied. Keep the original when you need editable or vector content.
Is the PDF uploaded?
The conversion runs locally in your browser.