Look at the face first
In a portrait, start at neutral contrast. Raise it a little if the face and background have similar tones. Check the eyes and hair for detail as you adjust.
Black and white photo converter
Convert a photo to black and white, adjust contrast, and save a full-size grayscale PNG. Compare your edit with the original in your browser.
Convert a photo
Add your image
JPG, PNG, WebP · up to 10 MiB · 24 megapixels
Opening image…
Free · Your image stays in your browser.
Use light and shadow to shape the photo
Keep detail in bright areas
Clouds, light fabric and pale walls can lose texture when contrast is too high. Lower the slider until their edges and folds are easy to see.
Match a set of photos
Convert each photo at its own contrast setting. Compare the saved images together so one dark shot does not make the rest of the set feel uneven.
How it works
Choose a photo
Open a JPG, PNG or WebP, or work with the sample portrait.
Compare tones
Slide between the color original and grayscale edit. Adjust Contrast until highlights and shadows feel balanced.
Save the PNG
Download the grayscale image at the original pixel dimensions.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to the colors?
The converter weights red, green and blue into a single gray value for each pixel. Its contrast control changes the separation between light and dark tones.
What should I set Contrast to?
Start at 0. Move right to deepen shadows and lift highlights, or left to soften the tonal differences.
Does the image keep its dimensions?
Yes. The PNG keeps the decoded image width and height. The preview is scaled to fit the workspace.
Can I keep a transparent background?
Yes. The PNG keeps the source transparency while converting its colored pixels to gray.
What files can I open?
Choose a JPG, PNG or WebP image up to 10 MiB and 24 megapixels.
Can I compare the original?
Yes. Drag the divider across the preview or move it with your arrow keys.
Why is my downloaded PNG larger?
PNG encodes the pixels differently from JPG or WebP. The dimensions can stay the same while the file uses more bytes.
Is this converter free?
Yes. Choose, compare and download in your browser without an account or credits.