How do I make a photo black and white?

Drop it on the box above. It turns black and white at once; adjust the contrast and click Download.

Can I control how each colour turns grey?

Yes, in the CutLift editor: its Black & White adjustment has a slider per colour, like a darkroom filter.

Are my images uploaded?

No. The conversion happens in your browser on your own device, so your images never leave it.

Yes. Converting is free with no watermark and no limit on how many images you convert. To download, sign in with a free CutLift account; it takes a few seconds.

Does it work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. It works in Safari, Chrome and other modern browsers on phones, tablets and computers. No app is needed.

FreeBlack & white

Make a photo black and white

Turn colour photos into rich black and white in one drop, with a contrast slider for extra punch. Free, instant and private.

No upload
No watermark
Batch + ZIP
Free account

Need more? Open the full editor

imageBlack & white

On your device · No upload

Contrast15

or drop them anywhere on this page · up to 100 at once · paste works too

02More converters

Every quick fix, free

03How it works

Three steps. Seconds.

01Add your photosDrop one or many on the box, choose them, or paste one with Ctrl or ⌘ + V.
02Set the contrastKeep it natural, or add contrast for a bold, classic look.
03DownloadSave each photo, or all of them as one ZIP.

04Why CutLift

Built to be the best one

True grey tonesColours become greys by how bright they look to the eye, not a flat average.
Contrast controlOne slider from soft and natural to deep and dramatic.
Many files at onceDrop up to 100 images together and download them one by one or as a single ZIP.
Nothing is uploadedThe conversion runs in your browser, on your device. Your pictures never reach a server.

Free and unlimited. CutLift Pro adds batch processing, upscaling, sky replacement and studio exports for $7.99/month.

05The guide

The black and white photo guide

How colours turn into greys

Many people search for a grayscale image, but a good black and white photo needs more than simply removing the colour. This tool turns each colour into a grey by how bright it looks to the eye. It uses the Rec. 709 weights, which make greens the brightest and blues the darkest. A green leaf therefore turns into a lighter grey than a blue sky of the same strength. Red falls between the two.

Because the greys follow perceived brightness, the tones of a scene stay in the right order. Foliage, skies and skin each keep their place from light to dark.

Setting the contrast for a classic look

After the photo turns black and white, use the Contrast slider. At the soft end, the greys stay gentle and natural. Move it towards the other end for deeper blacks and brighter whites, which gives a bold, classic look.

Try a few settings before you choose one. Compare the result on the same photo, and keep the one that suits the subject best. Portraits often look best with a softer setting, while landscapes and architecture can take more contrast.

Converting many photos and fine tuning in the editor

Drop up to 100 photos on the box, choose them, or paste one with Ctrl or ⌘ + V. Changing the contrast updates every photo. Download each one, or save them all as one ZIP. Photos taken in dim light often benefit from a little extra contrast, while bright outdoor shots may need less.

For more control, open a result with the Edit button. The CutLift editor has a Black & White adjustment with a slider for each colour, so you can darken the sky or lighten the skin, much like a darkroom filter. The conversion runs on your device, so nothing is uploaded, and it works on phones, tablets and computers. Keep the original photo as well, so you can try a different contrast at any time.

06Related tools

07Questions

Good to know

Is grayscale the same as black and white?

Yes, in everyday use. A grayscale image uses only shades of grey from black to white, which is what this converter makes.