How do I convert a PDF to strict Black & White (not grayscale)?

Upload your PDF, adjust the threshold slider if needed, and click 'Convert to B&W'. The tool processes each page to pure black and white pixels. Download the converted PDF. This happens entirely in your browser.

What is the difference between Black & White and Grayscale?

Grayscale uses multiple shades of gray. Strict Black & White (monochrome or 1-bit) uses only pure black and pure white pixels. This tool produces strict Black & White, which is often better for printing line art or text documents to save ink and can result in sharper text.

Will this make my PDF text non-selectable?

Yes, typically. Since this tool converts each page into a black and white image, the resulting PDF will be image-based. If you need selectable text, you would need to run an OCR tool on the converted B&W PDF.

Convert PDF to Black & White (Monochrome) Online

Drop your PDF file here

Client-Side Conversion

Your privacy is key. All PDF to Black & White conversion happens in your browser:

Your PDF files are NOT uploaded to any server.
Enjoy instant conversion for printing or archival.
Adjust the B&W threshold for optimal results.

Error message goes here

Converting PDF to Black & White...

Preparing conversion...

Initializing PDF processing...

B&W Preview (First Page)

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PDF converted to Black & White successfully!

Your monochrome PDF file is ready to download.

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How to Convert PDF to Black & White

Upload your PDF file using "Select PDF File" or by dragging and dropping it.
(Optional) Adjust the "B&W Threshold" slider. A lower value makes more of the image black, a higher value makes more white. The default (128) is usually a good starting point.
Click the "Convert to B&W" button.
A preview of the first converted page will be shown (if your PDF has content).
Click "Download B&W PDF" to save your monochrome PDF file.

Why Convert PDF to Black & White?

🖨️

Save Printer Ink

Strict B&W uses significantly less ink than grayscale or color, perfect for draft prints or text-heavy documents.

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100% Private & Secure

All conversion is performed in your browser. Your PDF files are never sent to a server, ensuring data privacy.

👁️‍🗨️

Improved Clarity

For some documents, especially line art or text, B&W can offer sharper and clearer output than grayscale.

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Potentially Smaller Files

Converting color or grayscale images within a PDF to 1-bit B&W can significantly reduce the overall file size.

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Instant Conversion

No upload/download delays for processing. Get your monochrome PDF quickly.

🎛️

Adjustable Threshold

Fine-tune the black and white conversion point to get the best results for your specific PDF content.

FAQ: PDF to Black & White (Monochrome)

Is this tool free to use?

Yes, our PDF to Black & White converter is completely free to use with no limitations on file size or number of conversions.

What does the 'Threshold' slider do?

The threshold determines the cutoff point for converting a pixel to black or white. Each pixel is first converted to a grayscale value (0=black, 255=white). If the grayscale value is less than the threshold, it becomes black; otherwise, it becomes white. Adjusting this helps you get the best contrast for your document.

Will this tool work on scanned PDFs or PDFs with only images?

Yes, this tool is particularly effective for PDFs containing images (including scanned documents). It will convert all visual content on each page to black and white. Note that the output will be an image-based PDF, meaning text might not be selectable unless OCR is applied afterwards.

Have more questions? Check our complete FAQ page.