7 Best Tools to Convert Image to Black and White Online

I still remember the frustration of my first major print portfolio. I had spent hours editing a street photography series, only to have the print lab reject the files. Why? Because my "black and white" images weren't true black and white - they were muddy, desaturated color files with strange color casts.

Finding the right tool to make image black and white isn't just about removing color. It's about contrast control, tonal depth, and preserving the soul of the photograph.

Whether you need to convert image to pure black and white online for a document, or looking for artistic film noir aesthetics, not all converters are created equal. Some crush your shadows; others degrade your resolution.

In this guide, I’ve tested and ranked the 7 best tools to help you turn image into black and white with professional results. Let's dive in.

Why the "Right" Converter Matters

Most people think "Desaturate" is enough. It's not.

• True Grayscale vs. Desaturation: Simple desaturation averages RGB values, often leaving images looking flat and gray. A dedicated grayscale image converter maps luminance correctly, keeping the punchiness of the original.
• Privacy: Many free tools claim ownership of your uploads. You need a trusted black and white converter that respects data privacy.
• Control: Sometimes you need high-contrast "Pure B&W" (Threshold), other times you need soft, rich Grayscale.

1. ImagiTool (Best Overall & Privacy-Focused)

When you need to convert image to black and white quickly without sacrificing impactful editing controls, ImagiTool is the standout choice for 2026.

Unlike generic editors that lock features behind paywalls, ImagiTool gives you professional grade photo to black and white conversion directly in the browser.

Key Features:

• 30+ Artistic Filters: From "Noir" to "High-Key", it goes beyond simple grayscale.
• Pure B&W Mode: One of the few tools that can convert image to pure black and white online (1-bit threshold), perfect for stencil art, laser engraving, or crisp document scanning.
• Advanced Controls: Dial in Gamma, Contrast, and Brightness to rescue muddy photos.
• Privacy First: Images are processed locally or deleted instantly. No sign-up required.

Best For: Everyone from casual users to professionals who need a fast, secure, and high-quality black and white image converter.

Try ImagiTool Black & White Converter Free →

2. Adobe Express (Best for Creative Ecosystem)

Adobe is a giant for a reason. Their online Express tool offers a solid color image to black and white conversion engine, simplified from Photoshop.

Pros:

• Seamless integration if you already use Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Good basic sliders for "Grayscale" adjustments.

Cons:

• Requires an account/login to download high-res files.
• Can feel bloated if you just want a quick picture to black and white swap.

3. Canva (Best for Social Media Design)

Canva isn't just a design tool; its built-in photo editor includes decent filters to convert to black and white.

Pros:

• Great if you are designing a post or flyer immediately after editing.
• "Street" and "Mono" filters offer one-click convenience.

Cons:

• Limited granular control over tonal ranges compared to dedicated editors.
• Export settings can be tricky for print-quality quality.

4. Fotor (Best for Preset Variety)

Fotor is well-known for its vast library of effects. If you want to turn image into black and white with a vintage texture, it's a strong contender.

Pros:

• Many pre-made "film look" filters.
• Texture overlays (grain, scratches) available.

Cons:

• Heavy advertising on the free version.
• Watermarks on some premium filters.

5. Pixelied (Best for E-Commerce)

Pixelied focuses on speed and bulk editing. It's a reliable choice to convert jpg to black and white for product catalogs.

Pros:

• Fast batch processing potential.
• Clean interface.

Cons:

• Lacks the "artistic" depth of ImagiTool or Adobe.
• "Pure Black and White" (Threshold) options are limited.

6. Raw.pics.io (Best for Format Support)

If you are a photographer shooting in RAW (CR2, NEF), this browser-based tool can handle heavy files and image to grayscale conversion without initial compression.

Pros:

• Supports raw camera formats directly.
• Technical histogram view.

Cons:

• Clunky, dated user interface.
• Slower processing speed for large files.

7. Lunapic (Best for Retro/Glitch Effects)

Lunapic is the "Swiss Army Knife" of old-school web editing. It creates unique, sometimes chaotic, results when you need to make image black and white.

Pros:

• Offers unique "Sketch" and "Threshold" effects.
• Completely free.

Cons:

• Very outdated UX.
• Hard to fine-tune results (often hit-or-miss).

Quick Comparison Summary

Conclusion

While there are many ways to convert to black and white, the right tool depends on your goal.

For quick social media designs, Canva is convenient. For heavy RAW editing, Raw.pics.io serves a niche. But if you want the perfect balance of professional control (Gamma, Contrast), total privacy, and the ability to convert image to pure black and white online, ImagiTool stands out as the winner in 2026.

Don't let your photos look gray and flat. Use a tool that understands the drama of light and shadow.

Ready to transform your shots? Use the ImagiTool Black and White Converter now and get professional results in seconds.