PNG to BW Converter
Need to convert this file type? Drop it below — or drop any other file and we'll auto-switch. Outputs are auto-deleted after 2 hours; share links expire after 4.
Or paste a link to a file
Drop multiple images to combine them into one PDF, Word document, or PowerPoint presentation — or convert each image separately.
Drop
Drag your PNG file or click to browse.
Convert
BW is preselected, or pick a different format below.
Download
Get your file or share a 1-hour link.
Convert PNG to BW online
Use this PNG to BW converter to turn PNG files into BW right in your browser — ideal for graphics, photos and web and sharing.
When should you convert PNG to BW?
- When you need it for graphics
- When you need it for photos
- To open your files in apps that prefer BW
- To share BW files more easily
What happens to your file
.bw is SGI's greyscale-only variant. Alpha is flattened onto white and the image is dropped to a single channel, so the file is genuinely greyscale rather than colour data in a .bw wrapper.
Settings this conversion runs with
| Engine | Pillow (Python Imaging Library) |
|---|---|
| Colour mode | 8-bit greyscale (L) |
What changes
- All colour information is discarded.
About PNG and BW files
PNG image
Strengths
- transparent backgrounds
- sharp text and lines
- lossless quality
Limitations
- larger files than JPG for photos
- no animation
BW image
Strengths
- widely viewable
- good for visuals
Limitations
- may need converting for some apps
PNG vs BW
| Format | PNG | BW |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless | — |
| Transparency | Yes | — |
| Best for | screenshots, logos and icons | graphics, photos |
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
- What happens to the image when you convert PNG to BW?
- .bw is SGI's greyscale-only variant. Alpha is flattened onto white and the image is dropped to a single channel, so the file is genuinely greyscale rather than colour data in a .bw wrapper.
- What should you know before converting PNG to BW?
- All colour information is discarded.
- Is this PNG to BW converter free?
- Yes. You can convert PNG to BW online for free, with no account and no watermark.
- Do I need to install software or sign up?
- No. Use the converter from your browser without installing software or creating an account. Files are uploaded to our servers for processing.
- Are my files safe?
- Yes. Files are processed only to complete the conversion and are auto-deleted after 2 hours. We never share them.
- Can I convert multiple PNG files at once?
- Yes. Drop several files to convert them in a batch and download the results as a single ZIP.