Does the grayscale PDF keep searchable text and links?

No. Each page becomes one image. Text selection and search, clickable links, editable forms and vector objects are not retained. You must confirm that conversion before processing the PDF.

Which grayscale method should I choose?

Weighted luma applies round(0.2126R + 0.7152G + 0.0722B) to the rendered sRGB channels. It gives green more weight than red or blue. Average channels applies round((R + G + B) / 3). Neither option is a color-managed print proof.

Will the page size or orientation change?

The output uses each visible page size in PDF points and preserves its rotation. DPI changes the number of image pixels, not the physical page dimensions.

Why might the output be larger than the original PDF?

A compact vector or text PDF can become larger when its pages are images. Lower DPI or JPEG quality can reduce output size, with a tradeoff in fine detail. The tool shows original and output file sizes before download.

What are the conversion limits?

Choose a PDF up to 50,000,000 bytes and 200 pages. Each rendered page is limited to 16 million pixels, the full job to 250 million pixels and its encoded images to 100 MB. Lower the DPI or split a large document if a limit is reached. Cancel stops the current worker and rendering work.

Does my PDF leave my device?

No. The chosen PDF is processed locally in this browser. It is not uploaded by this tool, and no file is saved until you request the download.

How do I convert and save a PDF in grayscale?

Choose a PDF, select the resolution and grayscale method, and set JPEG image quality. Confirm that the output will contain page images, then choose Convert to grayscale. Review the page previews and use Download grayscale PDF. Print that saved file normally; this page does not change settings in Acrobat, Preview or a printer driver.

Is grayscale the same as pure black and white?

No. Grayscale keeps intermediate gray shades, which preserve photos and shading. A strictly black-and-white or 1-bit document uses only black and white after a threshold. This converter produces grayscale JPEG page images and has no monochrome threshold mode.

Can I make a 200 DPI or 600 DPI grayscale PDF?

200 DPI is available in Resolution. The supported choices are 72, 96, 144, 200 and 300 DPI; 600 DPI is not supported here. A higher DPI creates more pixels and may improve fine detail while using more memory. It cannot recover detail absent from the source.

Can I convert JPG or Word files, or download grayscale JPG pages?

This tool opens and saves PDF files. Convert supported JPG or PNG pictures with Image to PDF first; export Word documents to PDF in your word processor. To make separate JPG or PNG pages from the downloaded grayscale PDF, use PDF to Image . That is a second conversion, not a direct 600 DPI grayscale JPG export.

PDF to Grayscale

Render a PDF into grayscale page images and assemble a new PDF locally. Choose weighted luma or average channels, set resolution and image quality, and inspect every page before downloading. The new file contains images instead of searchable text or editable PDF objects.

COLOR TO GRAYSCALE

A clear preview before you print.

Render each page locally, choose its resolution, and download a new PDF made of grayscale images.

R → 54G → 182B → 18

Choose a PDF

Up to 50 MB and 200 pages. Your file stays in this browser.

ResolutionGrayscale methodJPEG image quality: 90%

Y′ = round(0.2126R′ + 0.7152G′ + 0.0722B′), applied to rendered sRGB channels. Conversion can increase file size. Each page is limited to 16 million pixels; the whole job is limited to 250 million.

I understand the new PDF contains page images. Searchable text, clickable links, editable forms and vector detail will be lost.

Choose a PDF to begin.

Red patch255, 0, 0
54, 54, 54
Green patch0, 255, 0
182, 182, 182
Blue patch0, 0, 255
18, 18, 18

Raster output loses selectable text, links, forms and vector fidelity. Page sizes and rotation are preserved; grayscale uses the displayed formula on rendered sRGB channels.

Common questions

Does the grayscale PDF keep searchable text and links?: No. Each page becomes one image. Text selection and search, clickable links, editable forms and vector objects are not retained. You must confirm that conversion before processing the PDF.
Which grayscale method should I choose?: Weighted luma applies round(0.2126R + 0.7152G + 0.0722B) to the rendered sRGB channels. It gives green more weight than red or blue. Average channels applies round((R + G + B) / 3). Neither option is a color-managed print proof.
Will the page size or orientation change?: The output uses each visible page size in PDF points and preserves its rotation. DPI changes the number of image pixels, not the physical page dimensions.
Why might the output be larger than the original PDF?: A compact vector or text PDF can become larger when its pages are images. Lower DPI or JPEG quality can reduce output size, with a tradeoff in fine detail. The tool shows original and output file sizes before download.
What are the conversion limits?: Choose a PDF up to 50,000,000 bytes and 200 pages. Each rendered page is limited to 16 million pixels, the full job to 250 million pixels and its encoded images to 100 MB. Lower the DPI or split a large document if a limit is reached. Cancel stops the current worker and rendering work.
Does my PDF leave my device?: No. The chosen PDF is processed locally in this browser. It is not uploaded by this tool, and no file is saved until you request the download.
How do I convert and save a PDF in grayscale?: Choose a PDF, select the resolution and grayscale method, and set JPEG image quality. Confirm that the output will contain page images, then choose Convert to grayscale. Review the page previews and use Download grayscale PDF. Print that saved file normally; this page does not change settings in Acrobat, Preview or a printer driver.
Is grayscale the same as pure black and white?: No. Grayscale keeps intermediate gray shades, which preserve photos and shading. A strictly black-and-white or 1-bit document uses only black and white after a threshold. This converter produces grayscale JPEG page images and has no monochrome threshold mode.
Can I make a 200 DPI or 600 DPI grayscale PDF?: 200 DPI is available in Resolution. The supported choices are 72, 96, 144, 200 and 300 DPI; 600 DPI is not supported here. A higher DPI creates more pixels and may improve fine detail while using more memory. It cannot recover detail absent from the source.
Can I convert JPG or Word files, or download grayscale JPG pages?: This tool opens and saves PDF files. Convert supported JPG or PNG pictures with <a href="/image-to-pdf">Image to PDF</a> first; export Word documents to PDF in your word processor. To make separate JPG or PNG pages from the downloaded grayscale PDF, use <a href="/pdf-to-image">PDF to Image</a>. That is a second conversion, not a direct 600 DPI grayscale JPG export.

Raster output loses selectable text, links, forms and vector fidelity. Page sizes and rotation are preserved; grayscale uses the displayed formula on rendered sRGB channels.