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Image grayscale — 5 methods (average / BT.601 / R / G / B)

Image grayscale — 5 methods (average / BT.601 / R / G / B)

Convert JPEG / PNG / WebP images to grayscale inside your browser. Pick from five methods: average, luminance (BT.601), or any single channel (red / green / blue). Choose the output format (PNG / JPEG / WebP) and tweak the quality for the lossy formats. Your image is processed via canvas locally — nothing is uploaded.

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How to use

Pick a method (average, luminance, or any single channel), then drop or choose an image. Choose the output format (PNG / JPEG / WebP) and quality for the lossy ones, then click Convert to download the grayscale image. Canvas processing strips EXIF / GPS metadata automatically. Nothing is uploaded — every step runs locally.

FAQ

Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. The file is decoded with the Image API into a canvas, getImageData reads each pixel's RGB, the chosen formula computes a gray value, and putImageData writes it back. No network requests are made.
What's the difference between 'average' and 'luminance'?
Average is the plain arithmetic mean (R+G+B)/3. Luminance uses BT.601 weighting (0.299R + 0.587G + 0.114B) which reflects how human eyes perceive brightness — most sensitive to green, least to blue. For photographs, luminance produces a more natural grayscale. For flat design assets or icons, average is fine.
When would I want a single channel (red / green / blue)?
For classic film looks and selective contrast. The blue channel brightens skies and clouds while darkening skin blemishes — great for dramatic black-and-white. The red channel darkens reddened skin and gives a warmer feel. The green channel preserves the most detail in plants and landscapes, which is why it's also used as a quick luminance proxy.
Is the alpha channel preserved?
Yes. Only RGB channels are rewritten; alpha is left untouched. Pick PNG or WebP as the output format to keep transparency (JPEG is opaque, so transparent pixels get filled with white).
Are EXIF / GPS metadata preserved?
No. Canvas processing strips EXIF, GPS, orientation, and other metadata. This doubles as a metadata-strip tool before posting publicly.
Which image formats are supported?
Any format your browser can natively decode — JPEG, PNG, and WebP in practice. For HEIC photos from iPhone, convert them with the HEIC → JPEG tool first.

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