Open your image and confirm it's in Grayscale or RGB mode with 8 Bits/Channel.
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Convert a grayscale or RGB image to indexed color
Last updated on
Oct 27, 2025
Learn how to convert a grayscale or RGB image to Indexed Color mode in Adobe Photoshop to reduce file size and prepare it for GIF or PNG-8 formats.
Indexed Color mode deletes color data to create a palette of 256 colors. This reduces file size but also limits editing options. Converting works only on images that are 8 bits per channel and in either Grayscale or RGB mode.
Before you begin
Ensure the image is set to 8 Bits/Channel in Image > Mode.
Select Image > Mode > Indexed Color from the menu bar.
- Grayscale images convert automatically.
- For RGB images, the Indexed Color dialog box opens.
Select Preview in the dialog box to view changes in real time.
Specify your conversion options in the dialog box, such as Palette type, Dither, or Transparency, amongst other options to finalize the Indexed Color image.
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