Convert Image to Grayscale Online

How to convert an image to grayscale

Drop your image above and it converts to grayscale instantly in your browser using the CSS grayscale(1) filter applied via Canvas API. Download as JPG for a small file or PNG for lossless quality. Nothing is uploaded to any server.

Frequently asked questions

What is grayscale vs. black and white?

Grayscale images contain shades of gray from pure black to pure white — not just the two extreme values. A photograph converted to grayscale retains all its tonal information as gray values. True "black and white" (also called threshold or 1-bit) has only pure black and pure white with no gray — used for certain print techniques. This tool outputs grayscale (full tonal range), which is what most people mean when they say "black and white photo."

Does converting to grayscale reduce file size?

Slightly for JPG output — grayscale images compress more efficiently because there's less color variation. For PNG, the file size may actually be similar or slightly smaller since PNG compression handles repeating gray values efficiently. For significant file size reduction, use the image compressor after converting.

Can I convert a grayscale image back to color?

No — once color information is removed, it cannot be recovered by a simple conversion. AI-powered colorization tools (like DeepAI or Palette.fm) can attempt to re-add color based on image content, but the original color data is gone. Convert a copy of your image, not the original.

What image formats are supported?

Any format your browser supports: JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, AVIF. The output can be saved as JPG or PNG.

Can I convert multiple images to grayscale at once?

Yes — drop multiple files at once and all convert in one batch.

Can I also invert image colors?

Yes — use the invert image colors tool to create a negative of your photo. You can combine: convert to grayscale first, then invert to get a grayscale negative.

How do I convert a photo to black and white on iPhone?

Open toolchop.com/grayscale-image in Safari on your iPhone, tap the upload area, select your photo from Photos, and tap JPG to download the grayscale version. The iPhone Photos app also has a built-in B&W filter under Edit → Filters → Mono/Silvertone/Noir.

What is the difference between grayscale and black-and-white?

Grayscale images contain a full range of gray tones from pure black to pure white — they preserve all the tonal variation of the original photograph, just without color. True black-and-white (also called "threshold" or 1-bit) has only two values: pure black or pure white, with no shades in between. This creates a high-contrast graphic look used in certain print techniques. This tool produces grayscale output — the continuous-tone version that most people mean when they say "black and white photo."

How do I make a photo black and white on iPhone?

The iPhone Photos app has built-in filters for this: open a photo, tap Edit, tap the three overlapping circles (Filters icon), and choose Mono, Silvertone, or Noir. For more control over the conversion, use this browser tool — open it in Safari, upload your photo, and download the result as JPG or PNG. You can also use the Adjustments → Saturation slider set to -100 in the Photos editor for a similar effect.

How do I convert to grayscale in Photoshop?

In Photoshop, the simplest method is Image → Mode → Grayscale, which converts the document to grayscale color mode. For non-destructive editing, use Layer → New Adjustment Layer → Black & White — this gives you sliders to control how each color converts to gray (e.g., brighten reds, darken blues). A third option is adding a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and setting Saturation to -100. All methods achieve grayscale, but the Black & White adjustment layer gives the most creative control.

Does grayscale reduce file size?

Yes, in most cases. Grayscale images carry less color information, which means they compress more efficiently. For PNG output, removing color channels can reduce file size by 20–40% compared to the color version of the same image. For JPG, the reduction is typically smaller but still present. For the most significant file size reduction, use the image compressor after converting to grayscale — combining both steps can shrink a file by 60–80%.