To split a PDF, select Select PDF File, choose a Split Mode, enter the pages, then select Split PDF. Extract Selected Pages makes one new PDF from the pages you list. The other modes make one file per page, per group or per chunk. Download the files one by one or select Download ZIP. Nothing leaves your device.
How to split a PDF
- Add your PDF. Drag one PDF onto the drop area or select Select PDF File. The tool counts the pages and shows a preview of page 1.
- Pick a split mode. In the Split Mode menu, choose Extract Selected Pages, Split Every Page, Split By Page Groups or Split Every N Pages.
- Enter the pages. Type a list like
1-3,5,8in Pages to Extract, groups like1-3,4-6,7-9in Group Ranges, or a chunk size in Pages Per Split (2 by default). - Split and download. Select Split PDF. When the PDF split finishes, each new file appears under Split Output with its own Download button. Select Download ZIP to get them all, or Download Single PDF when there is only one file.
Which split mode should you use?
You can split PDF pages four ways, and each mode reads the same kind of page list: numbers separated by commas, with a hyphen for a range. Page numbers past the end of the document are ignored, so 8-20 on a 10-page file gives pages 8 to 10.
| Split Mode | What you type | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Extract Selected Pages | 1-3,5,8 | One PDF with pages 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 |
| Split Every Page | Nothing | One PDF per page, so 12 pages become 12 files |
| Split By Page Groups | 1-3,4-6,7-9 | One PDF per group, here 3 files |
| Split Every N Pages | 3 | Chunks of 3 pages; a 10-page file gives 1-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10 |
Extracted pages always come out in their original order, and a page listed twice is only included once. Typing 5,1 still gives page 1 first. If you need a different order, rearrange the pages with the PDF page organizer before or after you split.
How to extract pages from a PDF
Choose Extract Selected Pages, type the pages you want to keep, and select Split PDF. You get a single new file, named after the Base Output Name with the pages added, such as report-pages-1-3_5_8.pdf. Base Output Name starts as your file's name. The original PDF on your device isn't changed.
The pages are copied as they are rather than redrawn, so text stays selectable and searchable and images keep their full resolution. The document outline (bookmarks) is not carried over, and fillable form fields may stop working in the new file.
For a one-off page or two, Chrome can do this too: open the PDF in Chrome, choose Print, set the destination to Save as PDF, pick Custom under Pages and enter the page numbers.
How to split a PDF into multiple files
Use the mode that matches how the document is built:
- Split Every Page suits a stack of scanned receipts or invoices saved as one PDF. Each page becomes its own file.
- Split Every N Pages suits fixed-length documents, such as a batch of 2-page forms scanned together. Set Pages Per Split to 2.
- Split By Page Groups suits chapters or sections of different lengths, such as
1-4,5-11,12-20. Groups can overlap if you need the same page in two files.
Files are named from the Base Output Name, for example report-part-2-pages-3-4.pdf, and the ZIP takes the ZIP Name field. Expect the split files to add up to more than the original size: each file carries its own copy of any fonts and images its pages use.
Limits: protected, large and scanned PDFs
The PDF splitter works on one PDF at a time. There is no fixed page or size limit, but the whole file is held in your browser's memory, so a very large PDF on an older phone can be slow or fail.
A PDF that needs a password to open won't load here. A PDF with only permission restrictions (no open password) does load, but its split pages can come out blank or unreadable, and the tool shows a warning when it detects one. In both cases, remove the protection first with the PDF password remover, using the password you already have. Scanned PDFs split normally, since each page is copied whole.
Frequently asked questions
How do I split a PDF online for free?
Load the PDF into the splitter at the top of this page, choose a Split Mode, enter the pages and select Split PDF. It's free, needs no account and adds no watermark.
Can I split a PDF into single pages?
Yes. Choose Split Every Page and select Split PDF. You get one PDF per page, which you can download separately or all together with Download ZIP.
How do I extract only certain pages from a PDF?
Choose Extract Selected Pages and type the page numbers, for example 2,5-7. The tool saves those pages into one new PDF and leaves your original file unchanged.
Does splitting a PDF reduce quality?
No. Pages are copied from the original file, so text, vector graphics and images look exactly the same and text remains searchable.
Can I change the page order while splitting?
No. Pages in each output file follow their original order. Use the PDF page organizer to drag pages into a new order first.
Can I split a password-protected PDF?
Not directly. Remove the password with the PDF password remover first (you'll need to know it), then split the unprotected copy.
Are my PDF files uploaded to a server?
No. Splitting happens in your browser with JavaScript. The PDF and the split files stay on your device and are cleared when you close the tab.