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Make a photo black and white

A black and white conversion keeps the light and shadow of a photo while removing color. The filter is preset to Black & white at full strength; lower the strength for a muted look.

Processed on your device
THE PLAYGROUND

Filters

01 / ORIGINAL IMAGENo image yet

Drop your image here.

Choose an image, or drop it here.

JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF or HEIC · up to 20 MiB each

    Use Undo settings to revisit an adjustment. Your source image stays untouched.

    02 / Make it yours

    Adjust your settings, then create a new copy.

    Creative filters
    100
    128
    Export
    90

    PNG is lossless; its quality slider is disabled.

    Output format & background

    Fills transparent areas for JPEG and when transparency is off.

    Choose an image or try the sample to get started.

    How to make a photo black and white

    1. Choose a photo, or try the sample.
    2. Black & white is already applied. Lower Filter strength for a partial, faded effect.
    3. Process and download your black and white copy.
    Read the guide: JPEG, PNG or WebP?

    Know before you export

    Still JPEG, PNG, WebP and AVIF inputs up to 64 megapixels are supported, and HEIC where the browser can decode it. Photos above 24 megapixels or 8,192 pixels per side are edited at that size. Color, filter and color-removal effects run at up to 12 megapixels; larger photos are scaled for the effect. All processing stays in your browser.

    Supported files

    Still JPEG, PNG, WebP and AVIF up to 20 MiB and 64 megapixels, plus HEIC where your browser can open it (Safari on Mac, iPhone and iPad). Photos above 24 megapixels are edited at 24 megapixels, and color effects run at up to 12 megapixels. Multi-image tools allow 12 files and 60 MiB of combined input. GIF, SVG, animated images and RAW formats are not supported.

    Quick ways in

    Drop an image anywhere on this page or paste one from your clipboard.

    Keyboard shortcuts

    • Ctrl/⌘ O Choose an image
    • Ctrl/⌘ Enter Process
    • Ctrl/⌘ S Download the result
    • Ctrl/⌘ Z Undo settings · add Shift to redo
    • Esc Cancel processing

    Your files stay local

    Selected image bytes are processed in browser memory. No account, upload endpoint or remote processing service is used.

    Keep creating.

    Explore all 26 tools
    Photo editorYour everyday creative workspace.CropKeep exactly what matters.Rotate & flipFind a fresh perspective.Light & colorBring your picture into balance.WatermarkMake your signature part of it.Shapes & arrowsPoint out the important details.

    Black & White is free to use in your browser. No account or image upload is required.

    Black & White: common questions

    How is the black and white version calculated?

    Each pixel becomes a gray level based on how bright the eye sees its red, green and blue values, so skies and skin keep natural contrast instead of turning flat.

    Can I make only a partial black and white effect?

    Yes. Lower Filter strength to blend the gray version with the original colors for a muted, vintage look.

    More quick presets

    Open the full Filters tool
    Sepia FilterCompress to 20 KBCompress to 50 KBCompress to 100 KBCompress to 200 KBCompress to 500 KBCompress to 1 MBInstagram Post SizeInstagram Portrait SizeStory & Reels SizeYouTube Thumbnail SizeResize to 1920 × 1080