How to Make an Image Black and White in GIMP

Need to give your image a classic black-and-white look using GIMP? Whether you’re going for vintage vibes or just want to strip the color for a dramatic effect, GIMP makes it easy—and it’s completely free.

Here’s how to turn any image black and white in GIMP, step by step.

Step 1: Open Your Image in GIMP

1. Launch GIMP.
2. Go to File > Open.
3. Select your image and click Open.

Step 2: Convert to Grayscale (The Fast Way)

If you want a quick and simple conversion:

1. Go to Image > Mode > Grayscale.

This removes all color data from the image and turns it into shades of gray. It’s clean and efficient, but gives you zero control over how colors are converted.

Step 3: Use the Desaturate Tool (More Control)

For more creative control, try this instead:

1. Go to Colors > Desaturate > Desaturate…
2. A new window will pop up with options:
   • Mode: Choose between Lightness, Luminosity, or Average. Each one calculates the grayscale value differently.
   • Preview: Check it to see the change in real time.
3. Click OK once you’re happy with the result.

Tip: Try all three modes and pick the one that brings out the most detail or contrast in your image.

Step 4 (Optional): Fine-Tune with Curves or Levels

Want to tweak the contrast even further?

• Go to Colors > Levels or Colors > Curves.
• Adjust the sliders or curve points to get the blacks deeper and the whites brighter.

This step can add real punch to your black-and-white image.

Step 5: Export Your New Image

1. Go to File > Export As.
2. Choose a file format (JPEG, PNG, etc.).
3. Give it a name, pick a location, and click Export.

Done.

Final Thoughts

GIMP gives you multiple ways to convert images to black and white. For speed, use Grayscale Mode. For better control, go with Desaturate and tweak as needed. Once you get the hang of it, you can knock out black-and-white conversions in under a minute.

Have questions or want more GIMP tutorials? Drop a comment below or check out our other guides.