Create monochrome images with Channel Mixer

Last updated on Oct 6, 2026

Learn how to apply Channel Mixer adjustment to blend color channels for precise grayscale conversion and hand-tinted effects.

Channel Mixer creates high-quality monochrome images by controlling how each color channel contributes to the final grayscale result. This technique preserves more tonal detail and contrast than simple desaturation by letting you control which color information influences the conversion.

Use Channel Mixer when you need precise control over grayscale conversion or want to create hand-tinted effects. For automatic black-and-white conversion with simpler controls, use the Black & White adjustment command instead.

Channel Mixer adjusts the contribution of each source color channel (Red, Green, and Blue in RGB images) to the output. By modifying these percentages, you control which details and contrasts appear most prominently in your monochrome result.

Open an RGB or CMYK color image in Photoshop
Review basic Channels panel functions

Apply preset monochrome conversions

Channel Mixer includes six preset filters that simulate traditional photographic color filters. Each preset emphasizes different tonal ranges by adjusting the mix of source channels.

Select the composite color channel in the Channels panel.

Select Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Channel Mixer then select OK.

In the Properties panel, select the Monochrome checkbox to convert your image to grayscale.

Open the Preset menu and choose one of the Black & White filter options.

Available presets include Infrared, Blue Filter, Green Filter, Orange Filter, Red Filter, and Yellow Filter. The Infrared preset creates dramatic, high contrast results like infrared film, while the Blue Filter emphasizes skies and atmospheric effects.

Tip

Preview each preset to see which tonal interpretation works best for your image before making manual adjustments

Adjust grayscale detail and contrast manually

After applying the Monochrome option or a preset, refine the result by adjusting individual channel contributions. This gives you precise control over which image details appear darker or lighter.

With your Channel Mixer adjustment layer active, drag the source channel sliders in the Properties panel.

Move a slider left (negative values) to darken areas containing that color, or right (positive values) to lighten them.

Monitor the Total value as you adjust—values near 100% typically produce the best results.

Adjust the Constant slider to add overall brightness (positive values) or darkness (negative values) if needed.

The Total value displays the combined percentage of all source channels. Values above 100% may create an overly bright image and remove highlight detail—a warning icon appears when this occurs. Adjust the sliders to bring the total closer to 100%.

Before making final adjustments, preview how each individual source channel affects your image. Set one channel to 100% and the others to 0%, then repeat for each channel. This helps you understand which channels contain the most useful detail and contrast for your specific image.

Note

The Constant slider directly adjusts the grayscale output value. Negative values (down to −200%) add black; positive values (up to +200%) add white.

Create hand-tinted effects

Hand-tinting selectively adds color to a monochrome image, creating vintage or artistic effects by controlling how color information blends into each output channel.

Create a monochrome image using the previous procedures.

In the Properties panel, deselect the Monochrome checkbox.

Choose an option from the Output Channel menu (Red, Green, or Blue).

Adjust the source channel sliders to control how much of each color channel contributes to that output.

Repeat steps 3–4 for each output channel you want to tint, adjusting until you achieve the desired effect.

Toggling Monochrome off while maintaining your channel mix settings allows color information to blend back into the image. By controlling each output channel separately, you can apply different color casts to shadows, midtones, and highlights—creating effects ranging from subtle sepia tones to dramatic split-toning.

Create stunning images with Photoshop
Edit, retouch, and transform photos with the industry-leading creative tools you know and love.

Open the app

Replace Object Colors by Applying a Hue or Saturation Adjustment

Customize indexed color tables

Learn

Learn with step-by-step video tutorials and hands-on guidance right in the app.

Community

Join discussions, find answers, learn from experts, and share your knowledge.

Adobe Home

Access your favorite Creative Cloud apps, services, file management, and more.