How to Split a PDF into Separate Files
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To split a PDF, upload it to Split PDF, choose pages by clicking them or typing a range such as 1-3, 5, and select Extract selected to get one new PDF with just those pages. To turn every page into its own file instead, select Split all pages (ZIP).
The file is split in your browser on your own device, so it isn’t uploaded to a server. This guide walks through both options, shows how page ranges work, and covers the mistakes that most often lead to the wrong pages.
Two ways to split a PDF
- Extract selected creates one PDF from the pages you choose, saved as
extracted-pages.pdf. Use it to pull out a chapter, a signed page, or everything except a few pages. - Split all pages (ZIP) creates one PDF per page and packs them into
split-pages.zip. Inside arepage-1.pdf,page-2.pdf, and so on. It always uses every page, whatever is selected.
How to extract pages step by step
- Open Split PDF and upload one PDF (up to 50 MB). A thumbnail of every page appears.
- Note that all pages start selected. Select Clear if you only want a few pages.
- Choose pages by clicking their thumbnails, or type a range into Custom range (see the examples below).
- Check the count on the Extract selected (N) button, then select it.
- Download
extracted-pages.pdfand rename it to something descriptive.
Writing page ranges
Separate pages and ranges with commas. Spaces don’t matter. Typing a range replaces the current selection. Here is what each entry selects in a 10-page PDF:
| You type | Pages selected |
|---|---|
1-3 | 1, 2, 3 |
1-3, 5, 7-10 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
2-10 | Everything except the first page |
8-4 | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (reversed ranges work) |
9-20 | 9, 10 (stops at the last page) |
2, 2, 1 | 1, 2 (duplicates are ignored) |
12 | Nothing (there is no page 12) |
3- | Nothing (a range needs both numbers) |
Entries that don’t match a page are skipped without a warning. If nothing you typed matches, the previous selection stays as it was. That is why it’s worth checking the number on the Extract selected button before you select it.
Practical examples
Split a long PDF into several parts
Say a 30-page report should become three files. Type 1-10, extract, and download. Without uploading again, type 11-20, extract, and download, then do the same for 21-30. Each download is named extracted-pages.pdf, so your browser may add a number to later copies. Rename each file as you go.
Send only the signed page
Select Clear, click the signed page’s thumbnail, and extract it. Seeing the thumbnail helps when you don’t know the page number.
Remove blank or unwanted pages
Leave all pages selected, click the pages you don’t want to deselect them, and extract. The new PDF has everything except those pages.
Separate a batch of scanned documents
If you scanned several one-page documents into one file, use Split all pages (ZIP), then open the ZIP. On Windows, right-click it and choose Extract All; on a Mac, double-click it.
Checking the result and known limits
Open the new file and check the page count and the first and last pages. Text stays selectable and searchable, and web links keep working. These are not carried over:
- Bookmarks (the outline in a viewer’s sidebar).
- Fillable form fields. They stop being fillable.
- Document properties such as the title.
Every page gets a thumbnail, so very long PDFs can take a while to display, especially on phones. If your goal is a smaller file rather than fewer pages, see how to compress a PDF.
Try it
Open Split PDFExtract pages or split every page into its own PDF.Related guides
- How to Merge PDF Files Online for FreeCombine several PDFs into one file in the order you choose, then check that every page made it across.
- How to Compress a PDF Without Losing Too Much QualityShrink scanned and image-heavy PDFs, choose the right compression level, and know when to keep the original instead.