How to Make a Photo Black and White: 5 Easy Methods (2025 Guide)

Want to transform your color photos into striking black and white images? Whether you're a photographer perfecting your portfolio, a designer creating moody visuals, or simply want that timeless aesthetic for social media, converting photos to monochrome is easier than you think.

This guide walks through five practical methods—from instant browser-based tools to professional software—so you can choose the approach that fits your workflow and skill level.

Quick navigation

• Method 1: Free online converter (fastest)
• Method 2: Photoshop (pro control)
• Method 3: Mobile apps
• Method 4: Mac Photos
• Method 5: Windows Photos
• Comparison table
• Expert tips

Method 1: Free online converter (recommended for most users)

Best for: Quick results, batch processing, privacy-conscious users

Online converters like BWConverter offer the fastest path from color to black and white without installing software or creating accounts. The entire conversion happens in your browser—your photos never touch a server.

Step-by-step with BWConverter

1. Open the converter. Navigate to bwconverter.com and you'll see the upload zone immediately.
2. Add your photo. Drag a JPG, PNG, or WebP file into the browser window, or click to browse. Files up to 50 MB are supported—ideal for high-resolution camera exports.
3. Choose a starting preset. Try Dramatic for bold contrast (architecture, street scenes), Soft for gentle tones (portraits, weddings), or Film Noir for gritty cinema-style blacks.
4. Fine-tune the look. Adjust contrast, brightness, shadows, highlights, and grain with real-time preview. Each slider updates instantly thanks to WebAssembly processing.
5. Download your result. Click the export button and select PNG (maximum quality), JPEG (smaller file), or WebP (modern format). The output matches your input resolution—no compression unless you choose it.

Why this method works:

• Zero learning curve—upload, adjust, download in under 60 seconds.
• Complete privacy. Images process locally; nothing uploads to a cloud service.
• No watermarks, signup walls, or file limits on the free tier.
• Perfect for one-off conversions or testing multiple looks before committing.

Batch bonus: Converting an entire photo shoot? Use the batch converter to apply the same preset across 50+ images in one pass. Ideal for wedding photographers, event coverage, or portfolio curation.

Real-time preview lets you dial in contrast before export—no guesswork.

Method 2: Photoshop (for pixel-perfect control)

Best for: Professional retouchers, print workflows, non-destructive editing

Adobe Photoshop remains the gold standard when you need surgical control over tonal ranges and layered adjustments.

Quick method: Desaturate shortcut

1. Open your image in Photoshop.
2. Press Shift + Ctrl + U (Windows) or Shift + Cmd + U (Mac).
3. Done. Your photo is now grayscale.

Drawback: This flattens all color channels equally, often resulting in muddy midtones. Great for speed, poor for nuance.

Advanced method: Black & White adjustment layer

1. Go to Layer → New Adjustment Layer → Black & White.
2. Six color sliders appear (Reds, Yellows, Greens, Cyans, Blues, Magentas). Drag each to see how the original color data translates to gray tones.
   • Boost Reds to brighten skin in portraits.
   • Lower Blues to darken skies.
   • Adjust Yellows to control foliage brightness.
3. Stack a Curves adjustment on top to refine highlights and shadows.
4. Save as a PSD to keep layers editable, or flatten and export as TIFF for print.

When to use Photoshop:

• Client work requiring 16-bit color depth and CMYK output.
• Projects where you'll revisit edits weeks later (adjustment layers stay live).
• Complex masking—for example, keeping one element in color while converting the rest.

Cost: $9.99/month (Photography Plan). Free 7-day trial available.

Channel mixing gives you control over how each original color maps to a gray tone.

Method 3: Mobile apps (edit on-the-go)

Best for: Instagram stories, quick social posts, travel photography

Mobile apps excel at speed and convenience. Most offer one-tap filters plus manual tweaks for those who want more control.

Top free apps

iOS:

• Snapseed (Google, free)
  Open photo → Tools → Black & White → Adjust brightness/contrast → Save. The grain slider adds film-like texture.

• Lightroom Mobile (Adobe, free tier)
  Tap B&W profile, then fine-tune exposure and clarity. Paid tier unlocks selective adjustments.

Android:

• Snapseed (same as iOS)
• VSCO (free with in-app filters)
  Swipe to monochrome presets like A4 (soft) or HB2 (contrasty). Premium unlocks advanced tools.

Workflow tip

Shoot in color even if you plan to convert. RAW or high-quality JPEGs give apps more tonal data to work with. Lightroom Mobile can even sync edits back to your desktop catalog if you're an Adobe subscriber.

When mobile beats desktop:

• You're posting directly to Instagram/TikTok.
• The photo was captured on your phone (no file transfer needed).
• You want to experiment with filters during downtime (train commute, coffee break).

Snapseed's swipe gestures make tonal adjustments feel intuitive on small screens.

Method 4: Mac Photos app (built-in simplicity)

Best for: Casual Mac users, quick family photo edits, iCloud library management

Apple's Photos app includes three black and white filters that require zero technical knowledge.

Steps

1. Open Photos and select an image.
2. Click Edit (top-right).
3. Choose Filters from the toolbar.
4. Pick Mono (neutral), Noir (deeper blacks), or Tonal (softer grays).
5. Optionally adjust Light and Color sliders in the edit panel for more control.
6. Hit Done to save changes.

Bonus: Edits are non-destructive. Click Revert to Original anytime to restore the color version.

Limitations:

• No granular control over individual tones.
• Filters are preset—you can't create custom looks.
• Export options are basic (JPEG or HEIC).

Perfect for: Family albums, quick blog headers, or testing whether a photo works in black and white before opening heavier software.

One-click filters get you 80% of the way there with zero learning curve.

Method 5: Windows Photos (PC equivalent)

Best for: Windows 10/11 users, quick desktop edits

Microsoft's Photos app offers a straightforward path to monochrome without third-party downloads.

Steps

1. Right-click your photo and choose Open with → Photos.
2. Click Edit & Create → Edit (or press Ctrl + E).
3. Option A: Drag the Saturation slider all the way to -100.
4. Option B: Click Filters and scroll to black and white presets (names vary by Windows version).
5. Tweak Light settings if needed, then Save a copy.

Why it's useful:

• Pre-installed on every modern PC.
• Fast enough for casual use.
• Integrates with OneDrive for cloud backup.

Trade-offs:

• Less control than Photoshop or online converters with sliders.
• No batch processing (convert one file at a time).

Dragging Saturation to -100 removes color instantly—functional if not sophisticated.

Comparison table: Which method fits your needs?

Our pick: For most scenarios, BWConverter hits the sweet spot. It's as fast as built-in OS tools but delivers Photoshop-grade control without the subscription. Use mobile apps when you're away from your desk, and reserve Photoshop for client deliverables requiring 16-bit depth or CMYK output.

Expert tips for stunning black and white photos

1. Start with high-contrast originals

Photos with strong light-dark separation translate better to monochrome. Think:

• Backlit portraits with rim lighting
• Architecture shot in harsh midday sun
• Street scenes with neon signs against dark alleys

Flat, evenly lit images often look washed out in black and white. If you're shooting specifically for B&W conversion, embrace dramatic shadows.

2. Don't just remove color—remap it

Desaturation treats all colors equally. A red apple and green leaf might turn the same gray tone, losing visual separation.

Better approach: Use tools (like BWConverter's presets or Photoshop's channel mixer) that let you control how each color maps to a gray value. Brighten reds to make skin glow in portraits, or darken blues to intensify skies.

3. Increase contrast after conversion

Black and white images typically need 15-20% more contrast than their color counterparts to maintain visual punch. Most converters and apps include a contrast slider—don't be afraid to push it.

Quick test: If your image looks "flat" or "muddy," boost contrast until shadows and highlights feel distinct.

4. Watch skin tones in portraits

Pale skin can appear gray and lifeless if you're not careful. Slightly brighten skin areas (via exposure or targeted adjustments) for a more flattering result.

Pro trick: In Photoshop, create a layer mask around the subject's face and apply a subtle Curves adjustment to lift midtones.

5. Add grain for a film aesthetic

Digital black and white can feel sterile. A touch of grain mimics classic film stocks like Kodak Tri-X or Ilford HP5, adding warmth and texture.

BWConverter includes a grain slider calibrated to silver halide characteristics—start at 10-15% and adjust to taste.

6. Shoot RAW when possible

RAW files preserve all sensor data, giving you maximum flexibility during conversion. Even if your camera captures color, RAW lets you extract richer tonal gradations than a JPEG.

Workflow: Shoot RAW → Convert to TIFF or high-quality JPEG in Lightroom/Capture One → Fine-tune in BWConverter or Photoshop.

Lifting midtones in the subject's face prevents the "gray pallor" common in naive desaturation.

Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

❌ Mistake 1: Simple desaturation

Problem: Removing color without adjusting tonal values yields flat, lifeless images.

Fix: Use proper black and white conversion tools that let you control how colors translate to grays. Try BWConverter's presets—each one remaps color channels differently.

❌ Mistake 2: Ignoring contrast

Problem: Black and white photos feel washed out because they lack the visual pop that color provides.

Fix: Increase contrast by 15-20% after conversion. Push blacks darker and highlights brighter until the image feels dynamic.

❌ Mistake 3: Converting low-resolution images

Problem: Grainy, pixelated results that can't be used for print or large displays.

Fix: Always work with the highest resolution available. If you only have a low-res file, black and white conversion won't magically add detail.

❌ Mistake 4: Overlooking composition

Problem: Not all photos work in black and white. Color sometimes carries the entire visual interest.

Fix: Choose images with strong:

• Lines (leading lines, geometric patterns)
• Textures (tree bark, fabric weave, weathered walls)
• Shapes (silhouettes, architectural forms)
• Contrast (light vs. shadow)

If an image relies on vibrant color relationships (like a sunset gradient or colorful street market), it may not translate well.

❌ Mistake 5: Over-editing

Problem: Cranking contrast to 100% or adding excessive grain turns images into clichéd parodies.

Fix: Subtlety wins. Make adjustments until the image feels "right," then dial back 10%. When in doubt, reference classic black and white photographers like Ansel Adams or Henri Cartier-Bresson for tonal balance.

Restraint matters. The image on the right preserves detail in shadows and highlights.

Frequently asked questions

What's the fastest way to make a photo black and white?

Use a free online converter like BWConverter. Upload your photo, pick a preset (Dramatic, Soft, Film Noir), and download the result—all in under 60 seconds. No software installation or account signup required.

Should I shoot in black and white mode or convert later?

Always shoot in color (preferably RAW). Even if you know the final output will be monochrome, capturing color data gives you far more control during editing. You can always convert to black and white, but you can't restore color to a B&W-only file.

How do I make a picture black and white on my phone?

Download a free app like Snapseed (iOS/Android). Open your photo, tap Tools → Black & White, adjust brightness/contrast to taste, then save. For instant results, try built-in filters in your phone's Photos app.

Can I make only part of a photo black and white?

Yes! This technique is called selective color or color splash. Advanced tools like Photoshop let you mask specific areas to preserve color while converting the rest. Mobile apps like Snapseed also offer this feature—search for "Selective" in the tools menu.

What's the difference between grayscale and black and white?

Technically, grayscale refers to images with shades of gray between pure black and white. Black and white is the colloquial term people use, though it can also mean high-contrast images with only black and white pixels (no grays). In practice, most "black and white" photos are actually grayscale.

How do I avoid losing quality when converting to black and white?

1. Start with high-resolution originals (at least 2000px on the short side).
2. Use proper conversion tools that preserve bit depth—don't rely on basic saturation sliders.
3. Export in lossless formats (PNG for web, TIFF for print) or high-quality JPEG (90%+ quality setting).
4. Avoid repeated edits and saves—each JPEG re-save degrades quality. Edit once and export the final file.

Can I undo a black and white conversion?

Yes, if you kept the original color file. Most tools create a new file rather than overwriting the original. In Photoshop, adjustment layers are non-destructive—toggle them off to see the color version. If you saved over the original with a flattened B&W file, recovery isn't possible.

Which photos work best in black and white?

Black and white excels with:

• Portraits (emphasizes emotion, removes distracting background colors)
• Architecture (highlights lines, forms, and textures)
• Street photography (timeless, documentary feel)
• Landscapes with dramatic weather (stormy skies, fog)
• High-contrast scenes (harsh light, deep shadows)

Avoid converting photos where color is the primary subject (flowers, sunsets, food plating)—unless you're making a deliberate artistic choice.

How do I batch convert multiple photos to black and white?

Use BWConverter's batch mode. Upload an entire folder, select your preferred preset, and the tool processes every image locally in your browser. Ideal for wedding photographers handling 500+ ceremony shots or designers preparing portfolio pieces.

Turn your photos into timeless black and white art

Converting photos to black and white doesn't require expensive software or years of training. Whether you choose the speed of an online converter, the precision of Photoshop, or the convenience of a mobile app, the fundamentals remain the same: start with strong compositions, control how colors map to tones, and don't be afraid to boost contrast.

For most users, BWConverter offers the best balance of speed, quality, and ease of use—no subscription, no uploads, just professional results in seconds. Ready to see your photos in a new light?

Start converting now →

And if you're converting an entire shoot, don't miss the batch converter—apply your custom settings across hundreds of files without repeating manual steps.

Related guides

• What is a Black and White Image? Complete Guide
• Best Black and White Image Converter 2025
• Black and White Wallpaper Collection
• The Art of the Black and White Image