SurveyMake a PDF black and white
Turn every color in a PDF to gray, so it prints the same on any printer. Text and lines stay sharp.
or drop them here
Your files stay on this device
How to make a PDF black and white
- Choose one or more PDFs.
- Keep "Keep text sharp", or pick "Turn pages into pictures" to be sure every last bit turns gray.
- Press Make it gray and save the new file.
Print color drawings in black and white
Turn color sheets or site photo reports gray to print on a black and white printer or plotter. Check that color-coded items still tell apart in gray.
Private
Your files stay on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
Free
No sign-up, no watermark on your file, no daily limit.
Works offline
Once the page loads, it keeps working without the internet.
Any device
Phone, tablet or computer, in Chrome, Edge or Safari.
Questions
Will I still be able to select and search the text?
Yes, with "Keep text sharp", the usual choice. Colors are changed to gray inside the PDF, so text, lines and links stay as they were. "Turn pages into pictures" makes each page a gray picture, so the text can no longer be selected.
Why might a little color be left?
A few rare kinds of color, like some complex gradients or JPEG 2000 pictures, can't be changed in place. The tool tells you when that happens; "Turn pages into pictures" turns everything gray.
How are colors turned to gray?
Each color becomes the gray of the same brightness, so dark colors stay dark and light colors stay light.
Are my files uploaded?
No. The tool runs in your browser, so your files never leave your device. Nothing is sent to us or kept after you close the tab.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark on your file and no daily limit.
Is there a file size limit?
Only what your device can hold in memory. Most phones handle files of a few hundred MB; a computer handles more.
More free PDF tools
Compress PDF
Make a PDF smaller to email or upload.
Fast web view
Make a big PDF open fast online, page 1 first.
Remove markups
Strip comments and markups off a PDF.
Pages per sheet
Put 2, 4, 6 or 9 pages on one sheet.
Add page numbers
Number the pages of a PDF.
Add watermark
Stamp words like DRAFT, or a logo, across pages.
Need to mark up the PDF too?
Survey is a full PDF app for drawings. Add pens, shapes, clouds and count markers, and keep every sheet in sync on your computer, iPad and phone.
Open Survey free