Convert an image to another color mode

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Learn how to convert your image to another color mode in Adobe Photoshop, such as RGB, CMYK, Grayscale, and more.

Converting color modes permanently changes color values. When you convert from RGB to CMYK, out-of-gamut RGB colors are remapped to the CMYK working space. Some details may not be recoverable.

Before you begin
  • Do most edits in the original color mode to maintain flexibility.
  • Save a backup that preserves all layers for later editing.
  • Flatten only if you accept changes to layer blending, and keep layers if you need editable text or vectors.

Select or open an image you want to edit.

Select Image > Mode from the drop-down menu. The submenu lists all supported color modes for your document.

Select the target color mode, such as RGB Color, CMYK Color, Grayscale, or others.

Images are automatically flattened if converted to Multichannel, Bitmap, or Indexed Color because these modes don't support layers.

Select View > Proof Colors to preview how the converted image will look when printed or displayed on different devices.

Select Edit > Convert to Profile if you need to prepare the image for a specific output profile, such as a printer or web standard.