How to Split a PDF into Separate Files

Split a PDF into separate files

A single PDF often holds things that really belong apart: a scanned bundle of receipts, a 200-page report where you only need the appendix, or a contract you want to send chapter by chapter. Splitting the file lets you hand someone exactly the pages they need instead of the whole document, keep file sizes down, and reorganize a messy scan into tidy pieces.

The PDF Splitter does this right in your browser. Your file is processed on your own device using JavaScript, so nothing gets uploaded to a server, there's no account to create, and the original PDF stays exactly as it was. You choose how to cut it up, then download the results, usually as a ZIP of separate PDFs. Below is the full walkthrough.

How to split a PDF

1. Open the PDF Splitter. The tool loads in your browser and works the same on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or a phone.

2. Add your PDF. Drag the file onto the drop area or click to browse and select it. The tool reads the document locally and shows the total page count, so you know what you're working with before you cut anything.

3. Pick a split mode. The splitter gives you four ways to divide the file:

   • By page range — type the ranges you want, separated by commas, like 1-5, 6-12, 13-20. Each range becomes its own PDF. This is the go-to when your document has natural sections.
   • Extract pages — pull specific pages into a single new PDF, for example 2, 4, 9-11. Use this when you want one tidy file of just the pages that matter.
   • Split every N pages — set a number and the tool slices the whole document into equal chunks, e.g. every 1 page or every 10 pages. Handy for breaking a long scan into uniform parts.
   • One file per page (individual) — turns every page into its own separate PDF in a single click. Great for splitting a batch of scanned receipts or certificates.

4. Enter your selection. Depending on the mode, type the ranges or the page numbers, or set the "every N" value. In page-selection modes you can also click pages directly, and use the select all, deselect, odd, or even shortcuts to build a selection fast.

5. Run the split. Click the split button. Because the work happens on your device, larger files take a moment while the browser rebuilds each new PDF, with a progress label showing where it's at.

6. Download your files. The tool shows the resulting pieces and their sizes. Download them as a ZIP (or individually), then unzip to get clean, separate PDFs. The original file on your computer is untouched.

That's the whole job. For a deeper tour of every PDF feature on the site, the complete PDF tools guide covers merging, compressing, converting, and more.

Tips

• Ranges can overlap or skip. Nothing forces you to use every page. 1-3, 8-10 is perfectly valid and ignores pages 4 through 7.
• Check the page count first. The number shown after upload is the real page count of the file, so build your ranges from that rather than guessing.
• Need the opposite? If your goal is to throw pages away rather than break the file apart, use the delete pages tool or the page remover instead.
• Splitting just to grab a few pages? The extract pages tool is purpose-built for pulling a handful of pages into one new file without setting up multiple ranges.
• Going the other direction later? Once you've split a file, you can recombine any pieces with the PDF Merger.

Common problems

• The file won't open. Password-protected or encrypted PDFs can't be read until they're unlocked. Remove the password first, then split.
• My ranges produced fewer files than expected. Make sure ranges are comma-separated and use a hyphen for spans (5-9), not a slash or a space. A typo like 5 9 will be read as two single pages or ignored.
• A page came out blank. That page was likely blank or near-blank in the original scan. The splitter copies pages exactly as they are; it doesn't add or alter content.
• Big files feel slow. Processing runs locally, so speed depends on your device. A very large PDF may take longer on a phone than on a laptop, but it will finish.

FAQ

Does splitting reduce quality or change the pages? No. Each output page is copied from the original at full fidelity, including text, images, and vector content. Splitting only changes which pages live in which file, not how they look.

Are my files uploaded anywhere? No. The splitter runs entirely in your browser, so the PDF never leaves your device. There's no upload, no sign-up, and nothing stored on a server. When you close the tab, the file is gone from memory.

What's the difference between "split by range" and "extract pages"? Splitting by range produces several separate PDFs, one per range you define. Extracting pages produces a single PDF containing only the pages you picked. Use ranges to break a document into parts; use extract when you want one focused file.

Can I split a PDF into one file per page? Yes. Choose the individual mode and the tool creates a separate PDF for every page in the document, then bundles them into a ZIP for download.

Need to recombine, trim, or reorganize instead? Try the PDF Merger, extract pages, or delete pages tools.