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Split a PDF

Split one PDF into several: choose page ranges such as 1–3 and 4–10, break it every few pages, or save every page as its own file. Your PDF stays on your device the whole time.

  • Nothing is uploaded
  • Free, no sign-up
  • Works on phone and desktop

How to split a PDF

  1. 1

    Drop your PDF on the box, or click to choose it from your device.

  2. 2

    Choose how to split it: custom ranges, every N pages, one file per page, or pick pages for a single new file.

  3. 3

    Check the list: every new file shows its first page, its page count and the name it will be saved under.

  4. 4

    Click Split. You get one ZIP file, or up to five separate PDFs if you prefer.

Features

  • Never uploaded

    The PDF is split by your browser on your own device. Nothing is sent anywhere, so it suits statements, contracts and records.

  • Four ways to split

    Ranges such as 1–3 and 4–10, a fixed number of pages per file, every page on its own, or a handful of pages picked into one file.

  • Pages stay exact

    Pages are copied, not re-rendered: text stays selectable and searchable, and images keep their original quality.

  • Built for long PDFs

    The file is read once however many parts you make. Progress is shown, and you can cancel a long split at any time.

Which way to split

Every option makes new PDFs from your pages and leaves the original file untouched. Pick the one that matches how your document is laid out:

OptionExample for a 24-page PDFYou get
Custom ranges1-2, 3-14, 15-3 files: pages 1–2, 3–14 and 15–24
Every N pages6 pages per file4 files of 6 pages each
One file per page(no settings)24 single-page files in a ZIP
Pick pages2, 5-7, 201 file with 5 pages, in the order typed

Files are named after the original so they sort in order and you can tell them apart: splitting report.pdf by ranges gives report-part-1-pages-1-2.pdf, report-part-2-pages-3-14.pdf and so on.

Splitting to fit an email or upload limit

Large scans are the usual reason a PDF won't send. Gmail accepts up to 25 MB of attachments per message and Outlook.com 20 MB; above that they offer a cloud link instead. Attachments are encoded for sending, which makes them roughly a third bigger, and some services count that larger size, so aim for parts of about 15 MB or less. Online forms for courts, agencies and job applications often set their own limit per file, so check the number on the form.

A worked example: a 120-page scan of 60 MB averages about 0.5 MB a page. Thirty pages per file gives four parts of roughly 15 MB each. Pages with photos or color are heavier than pages of plain text, so after splitting, look at the size listed next to each file, and if one is still too big, split that part again with a smaller number.

Common jobs

  • Chapters or sections. Use the page numbers from the contents page as custom ranges. If chapter 2 starts on page 15 and chapter 3 on page 31, type 1-14, 15-30 and 31-.
  • A year of statements. A bank or card PDF with one statement per month often has the same number of pages each month: Every N pages separates them in one go.
  • A batch scan of many documents. Scanned a stack of receipts or forms at once? One file per page, or ranges for multi-page items, gives each its own file.
  • Just the pages someone needs. Pick pages makes one small file, for example the signed pages of a contract. To choose them by clicking previews, use extract pages.

Related tools

To join files back together, use combine PDF. To drop a few unwanted pages without making separate files, use delete pages, and to reorder or turn pages before splitting, use organize pages or rotate PDF. Need pictures rather than PDFs? PDF to JPG saves each page as an image.

Frequently asked questions

How do I split a PDF into separate pages?

Choose One file per page and click Split. Every page becomes its own PDF, named after the original with the page number added (report-page-1.pdf, report-page-2.pdf and so on), and they download together in one ZIP file. With five pages or fewer you can download them as separate PDFs instead.

How do I split a PDF by page ranges?

Choose Custom ranges and type one range per file, such as 1-3, 4-10 and 11-. An open end like 11- runs to the last page. Use commas to put pages from different places in the same file, for example 1-3, 7. Click Add range for more files; any pages you leave out are listed so you can add them.

How do I split a PDF that is too big to email?

Choose Every N pages and pick a number that keeps each part under your email limit, then check the size shown next to each file after splitting. Gmail allows 25 MB per message and Outlook.com 20 MB. Attachments grow by about a third when they are encoded for sending, so parts of 15 MB or less are a safe target.

Is it safe to split a PDF here?

Yes. The splitting runs in your browser, and the file never leaves your device: there is no upload and nothing is stored. You can even load the page, go offline and split your PDF.

Are bookmarks, links and form fields kept?

The pages, their text and images, and links to websites are kept. The bookmarks panel is not carried over, links that jump to another page in the document may stop working, and fillable form fields may stop being fillable. If you need a filled form, fill it and save it first, then split.

Why are the parts bigger in total than the original?

Each part has to carry its own copy of the fonts and images its pages use. A long text document split into single pages repeats its fonts in every file, so the ZIP can be larger than the original PDF. Each part on its own is still small.

Why can’t I split a password-protected PDF?

A PDF with an open password, or with editing restrictions set by its creator, can’t be changed by this tool. Open it in your PDF reader with the password and save or print a copy without protection, then split that copy.

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