Grayscale PDF: how it works
To convert a PDF to grayscale, open the Grayscale PDF tool, add your file, and download a black-and-white version. Each page is rendered and desaturated in your browser, so the file is never uploaded.
How to use Grayscale PDF
- Open the Grayscale PDF tool and add your PDF.
- Click “Convert to grayscale”.
- Download the grayscale PDF.
In your browser vs. uploading to a server
Best for cheaper black-and-white printing and removing colour from a document. Because pages are rasterized, the output is image-based and its text is no longer selectable — keep the original if you need editable text.
Frequently asked questions
Will the text still be selectable after converting to grayscale?
- No. Grayscale conversion rasterizes each page, so text becomes part of the image. Keep your original PDF if you need the text to remain selectable.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
- No. PDFER runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly and JavaScript. Your files are read into memory on your device, processed locally, and never sent to PDFER or any third party. Closing the tab or leaving the tool erases them from memory.
Is it free, and is there a file-size limit?
- Yes, it is free with no account, no watermarks, and no daily caps. Because processing happens on your own device, the only practical size limit is your device's available memory rather than a server upload quota.
PDFER is a privacy-first PDF toolkit built by Kiril Urbonas. Every tool runs entirely in your browser — see our security model and privacy policy.