Split PDF
Split a PDF by page count or custom ranges - free.
Your PDF is split inside this page. It is never uploaded.
What this tool does
Choose a PDF, pick either 'every N pages' for equal chunks or 'custom ranges' for exact page groups like 1-3, 4, 7-9, and download the result - a single PDF for one range, or a zip of files for several.
Splits a PDF into equal-sized chunks, a fixed number of pages per file.
Or splits by custom page ranges you specify explicitly, like '1-3, 4, 7-9', where each range or single page becomes its own file.
Downloads one PDF directly for a single range, or a zip file containing every part when there's more than one.
Covers both 'cut this into equal pieces' and 'give me these exact page groups' as separate modes, instead of forcing one mechanism to awkwardly serve both.
Builds each output part as its own independent PDF document via pdf-lib's page-copying function, so every split file is a complete, standalone PDF rather than a reference back into the original.
Loads the zip library only when there's more than one output file to bundle, keeping the tool lighter for the common case of pulling out a single range.
How to use it
- Choose a PDF.
- Pick a split mode and set the pages or ranges.
- Download the result.
Why use this tool
Large PDFs are hard to send or navigate, and often only part is needed. Splitting by count or by range gives exactly the pages you want.
Why we built it
We built the split PDF tool with separate modes for equal pieces and for exact page groups, instead of forcing one approach. Join files again with merge PDF and pull a few pages with the extract PDF pages tool.
If your task goes further, try the PDF Pages per Sheet (N-up), the Rotate PDF and the PDF to Image.
Who this tool is for
- People sending only part of a document
- Students extracting chapters
- Admin staff splitting scanned batches
When to use it
- Extracting a chapter or a section.
- Splitting a scan into single pages.
- Sending only the relevant pages.
- Breaking a large file under a size limit.
Why two separate split modes, not one
Splitting into equal chunks and pulling out specific ranges are genuinely different tasks.
Splitting a 100-page report into 10-page chunks and pulling out chapters 2, 5 and 7 from a book are both 'splitting a PDF', but they need entirely different inputs - one just needs a page count, the other needs exact page numbers. Trying to force both into one input (like a single ranges field that also has to handle 'every N pages' through some special syntax) tends to make the common case, splitting evenly, more awkward than it needs to be. Two clearly separate modes keep each one simple for what it's actually for.
How multiple parts become one download
A single result downloads as a plain PDF; anything more is bundled automatically.
Each range or chunk you end up with is built as its own complete PDF document, entirely independent of the others - none of them are references back into the original file. When splitting produces just one part, that PDF downloads directly. When it produces more than one, they're packed into a single zip file so you get one download instead of triggering several separate file saves. Like the merge tool, this works at the page level, so each source PDF's bookmarks and any fillable form fields aren't carried into the split files - only the visible page content is.
What you give it, and what you get back
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Input | One PDF. |
| Mode | Equal chunks or custom ranges such as 1-3, 4, 7-9. |
| Output | Several PDFs as a download. |
Issues you may run into
| What you see | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| An error mentions encryption | The PDF is password protected. | Unlock it first with the Unlock PDF tool. |
| Range is beyond the document | The last page is smaller than the range. | It is clamped to the last page. |
| Too many files | Page count per file is small. | Use a larger chunk size. |
Assumptions and limitations
- An encrypted or password-protected PDF can't be read and split - it needs to be unlocked first.
- A page range beyond the document's actual page count is silently clamped to the last real page, rather than causing an error.
Frequently asked questions
How do I split a PDF into separate files for free?
Choose your PDF, pick a split mode, and download the result - one file for a single range, or a zip for several.
Can I split by specific page numbers instead of equal chunks?
Yes - use 'Custom ranges' and list the exact ranges or page numbers you want, like '1-3, 4, 7-9'.
What happens if I ask for more pages than the document has?
A range beyond the actual page count is automatically clamped to the last real page rather than causing an error.
Does this work with password-protected PDFs?
No - an encrypted PDF needs to be unlocked first before it can be read and split.
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?
No. Splitting happens entirely in your browser - your file is never sent to a server.
Does each split file download separately, or as one combined download?
Each range or chunk becomes its own complete PDF - a single result downloads directly, and anything more than one part is bundled into a single zip file instead of triggering multiple downloads.
Do bookmarks or the original outline carry into the split files?
No - like the merge tool, splitting works at the page level, so each source PDF's bookmarks and any fillable form fields aren't carried into the resulting files.