Split PDF

What is PDF splitting?

PDF splitting divides a multi-page PDF document into separate smaller files. You might need to extract specific pages, split a document into chapters, or separate a scanned document into individual forms. This tool processes PDFs entirely in your browser — your documents are not uploaded to any server.

Common splitting scenarios include extracting a single page from a long document, splitting by page range (pages 5-10), splitting every N pages (every 2 pages for double-sided printing), and extracting specific non-contiguous pages (pages 1, 3, 7). This tool supports all these modes.

Step-by-step guide

Splitting a PDF with this tool takes only a few seconds. Here is the process from start to finish:

1. Click the upload button and select a PDF file from your device.
2. Choose a splitting mode: page range, every N pages, or individual pages.
3. Enter the page numbers or range you want to extract. For ranges use a dash (e.g. 3-7). Separate multiple ranges or single pages with commas (e.g. 1, 4-6, 10).
4. Click the Split button. The tool processes the document entirely in your browser, no upload required.
5. Download each resulting file, or download them all at once as a ZIP archive.

Common use cases for splitting PDFs

PDF splitting solves a wide variety of everyday document problems. Below are the most frequent reasons people need to break a PDF into smaller pieces.

Extracting chapters from a book or report

Long reports, e-books, and technical manuals are often distributed as a single PDF. If you only need one chapter, or want to share a specific section with a colleague, splitting by page range is the quickest solution. Enter the first and last page numbers of the chapter and you get a clean standalone PDF containing exactly that content.

Separating a scanned document batch

Scanners often produce one large PDF when you feed a stack of pages. If the stack contained multiple separate documents such as invoices, forms, or contracts, splitting the PDF lets you separate them into individual files for filing, email, or archiving. Use the every N pages mode when every document has the same length, or use manual page ranges when they vary.

Removing unwanted pages

If a PDF contains a cover page, blank pages, or a section you do not want to share, splitting lets you extract only the pages you need. Specify the ranges you want to keep, for example 2-5 and 8-12, and the tool produces separate PDFs for each range. You can then combine them again using a PDF merge tool if needed.

Sharing a subset of a confidential document

Legal agreements, financial reports, and medical records often contain a mix of shareable and confidential information spread across different page ranges. Splitting lets you share only the relevant pages without exposing the rest. Because this tool never uploads your file to a server, you can work with sensitive documents knowing the content stays on your device.

How to use this tool

Upload a PDF file, then choose how to split it: by page range, every N pages, or specific page numbers. The tool shows a preview of each page so you can verify you are extracting the right content. Download the resulting PDF files individually or as a zip archive.

Splitting modes

• Page range — extract a continuous range of pages (e.g., pages 5-10).
• Every N pages — split the document into chunks of N pages each.
• Specific pages — extract individual pages by number (e.g., pages 1, 3, 7, 12).
• Each page — split into individual single-page PDFs.

What is preserved in the split files

Splitting is a non-destructive operation. The pages extracted into each new PDF file keep all of their original properties:

• Text is preserved as selectable, searchable text, not converted to an image.
• Embedded fonts carry over so the text renders correctly on any device.
• Images retain their original resolution and compression with no re-encoding or quality loss.
• Vector graphics such as diagrams, charts, and illustrations remain sharp at any zoom level.
• Page dimensions and orientation (portrait or landscape) are maintained.

Note: document-wide properties such as bookmarks, interactive form fields, and digital signatures may not carry over to split files, as these are tied to the structure of the original document.

Privacy and security

This tool processes your PDF entirely in your web browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server. Your documents remain completely private. This is especially important for sensitive documents like legal contracts, financial statements, or medical records. After processing, the files exist only in your browser's memory until you download them.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Off-by-one page numbers: PDF page numbers start at 1, but some viewers display a different numbering if the document has a custom page offset. Always verify the physical page number before entering a range.
• Forgetting that ranges are inclusive: entering 3-7 produces pages 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, which is five pages.
• Splitting a password-protected PDF: if the file is encrypted, you will need to remove the password protection first.
• Expecting bookmarks to survive: cross-document bookmarks reference absolute page numbers in the original file, so they typically break after splitting. Update them in a PDF editor after splitting if needed.

Frequently asked questions

Does splitting affect PDF quality?

No. Splitting a PDF is a structural operation — it separates pages without re-encoding the content. Text remains sharp, images retain their original quality, and vector graphics are preserved exactly. The split files contain the same data as the original, just reorganized into separate documents.

Is there a file size limit?

Since processing happens in your browser, the limit depends on your device's available memory. Most devices can handle PDFs up to 100-200 MB without issues. Very large documents (hundreds of pages with high-resolution images) may be slow on mobile devices. For the best experience with large files, use a desktop browser.

Will the split files keep the original text as selectable text?

Yes, as long as the original PDF contains selectable text rather than scanned images. Splitting is a structural operation that moves pages into new files without re-rendering them. Scanned PDFs store pages as images, so if you need searchable text from a scan you would need OCR software before or after splitting.

Can I split a password-protected PDF?

Not directly. Password-protected PDFs are encrypted and the browser cannot read their page content without the correct password. You need to first open and save the PDF without password protection using a tool you are authorised to use, then split the unlocked file.