How to convert a PDF to grayscale

Quick steps

1. 1Open Grayscale PDF and add your file.
2. 2Click convert to re-render every page in gray.
3. 3Download the black-and-white PDF.

Why convert to grayscale

Grayscale is ideal before printing on a mono printer, for consistent black-and-white handouts, or to strip out color that distracts from the content.

It also guarantees the file prints the same way everywhere, rather than depending on each printer's color handling.

How it works

PDFER renders each page and converts its pixels to gray, then rebuilds the PDF from those images. Because the pages become images, the text is no longer selectable or searchable in the result.

Keep the text selectable instead

If you need the words to stay selectable, don't convert the file — instead choose “Print in grayscale” (or “Black and white”) in your printer dialog, which affects the printout only and leaves the PDF unchanged.

Private by design

The conversion runs entirely in your browser, so the document isn't uploaded.

Frequently asked

Will the text still be selectable after converting to grayscale?

No. Grayscale rasterizes each page, so the text becomes part of the image. If you need selectable text, print in grayscale from your printer instead.

Does grayscale make the PDF smaller?

Often, yes — color-heavy pages usually get smaller once color data is removed, though the exact saving depends on the document.

Can I convert only some pages?

Grayscale applies to the whole document. To isolate pages, split them out first, convert, then merge back if needed.

Is the file uploaded?

No. The pages are rendered and re-encoded in your browser, so nothing leaves your device.