Grayscale PDF (Rasterized)
Local Processing (Offline Capable)Grayscale PDF conversion for ink-saving prints — the default rasterizes pages into images (text not selectable), or choose Images only to grayscale embedded images while keeping text selectable. Runs in your browser, free, with no upload.
How this tool works (no sign-up needed)
- Upload your file above. Each tool shows whether it runs Local (in your browser) or Cloud (encrypted servers).
- Adjust options, then click the Run / Convert / Process button.
- Wait for progress, then download the result. Use Next tools to continue.
If buttons are not visible, enable JavaScript — the interactive workspace loads in your browser.
Free · LocalConvert to grayscale — raster mode keeps layout, images-only mode keeps text selectable
Supports application/pdf
Local — your file is processed in your browser and not uploaded to us. No account needed.
What is it?Grayscale PDF (Rasterized) is a PDFLean optimization tool: Convert a PDF to grayscale for ink-saving prints.
TL;DR: Convert a PDF to grayscale for ink-saving prints. Everything runs locally in your browser — your file is never uploaded, and closing the page clears it immediately; the default rasterizes pages into images (text not selectable), while Images only grayscales embedded images and keeps text selectable.
This tool converts a color PDF to grayscale, typically to cut print cost or prepare documents for formal filing. Processing runs entirely in your browser — no upload, no account needed. Two grayscale modes: the default Text + images (rasterize) renders every page as a grayscale image — the text layer becomes images, so text is no longer selectable or searchable; Images only applies a vector desaturation overlay to embedded images alone, leaving text in its original color, still selectable and searchable, with almost no file-size change — use it when only the images need grayscaling and the text layer must stay searchable (the quality/resolution sliders apply to raster mode only). The input is capped at 10 MB.
About this tool
No accounts, no uploads, no watermarks — just the operation you came for. Convert a PDF to grayscale for ink-saving prints. Rasterized output: pages become images, text not selectable — or pick Images only to grayscale embedded images while keeping text selectable and uncut. Processing runs locally in your browser's memory — the document is never transmitted, and closing the tab clears it completely. The workflow is deliberately short: load the file, choose the options on the page, run the operation, and save the result. Every choice is applied before the file is written, so re-running with different settings takes seconds. Practical limits apply (see the on-page limits); it pairs well with the related tools linked beside this page when one step is not the whole job. Key facts — Processing: runs entirely in your browser, client-side; Access: free with no account required; File limits: see the on-page limits; Privacy: the file never leaves the device.
How to use
Upload a color PDF
Choose a grayscale mode: "Text + images" (rasterize) or "Images only" (keeps text selectable)
Click "Convert to grayscale"
Download the grayscale file
Watch: convert a PDF to grayscale in 77 seconds
Turn color pages into black-and-white pages that are easier to print. The video player loads only after you press play.
FAQ
Will my file be uploaded?
No. Everything runs locally in your browser — your file is never uploaded, and closing the page clears it immediately.
Are there any limits?
Raster mode: the text layer is rasterized into images and is no longer selectable; Images-only mode: text stays in its original color and selectable, while the quality/resolution sliders apply to raster mode only; file size limit is ≤ 10MB.
Is text still selectable after conversion, and how can I balance quality?
It depends on the mode: the default Text + images (rasterize) turns the text layer into images, so it is no longer selectable; Images only desaturates embedded images alone, leaving text in its original color — still selectable and copyable, with almost no file-size change. In raster mode you can adjust the quality (JPEG quality 30–95%) and render resolution sliders to balance clarity and file size (raster mode only). Output file size may vary, and the tool alerts you before saving.
Can I process multiple files in bulk?
A single tool page handles one task at a time; for bulk work use the Batch Processing workflow and add this tool as a step to run a whole set at once.
Is the processed file still editable?
The output is still a standard PDF that opens in any PDF reader; your original file is untouched and you receive a new file, but in raster mode pages become images, so text cannot be selected or extracted (the Images-only mode keeps a selectable text layer and is not affected).