Need to extract one chapter from a long report, separate an invoice from a multi-page document, or break a large PDF into smaller pieces for email? Splitting a PDF doesn't require Adobe Acrobat or any paid software. You can do it free, in your browser, in under a minute.
This guide shows you how to use the free Online PDF Splitter to extract any page range or split an entire PDF into individual pages — no sign-up, no software to install.
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100% private — your file never leaves your device
The tool processes your PDF entirely in your browser using PDF.js. Nothing is uploaded to any server, so sensitive documents stay completely private.
How to split a PDF online
Upload your PDF
Open the PDF Splitter and drag your file onto the upload area, or click to browse. PDFs up to 25 MB and 100 pages are supported. Your file stays in your browser — it is never sent to a server.
Choose your page ranges
Each range defines one output file. Enter the start page and end page for the section you want to extract. For example, pages 1–5 becomes one PDF, pages 6–10 becomes another. Click "Add Range" to create as many output files as you need.
Check for overlaps (automatic)
The tool automatically detects overlapping ranges and highlights them before you proceed. For example, if range 1 covers pages 1–5 and range 2 starts at page 3, you'll see a warning. Adjust or remove the conflicting range before continuing.
Click Split PDF
The tool processes your PDF entirely in your browser using PDF.js. A progress bar shows how far along each split is. Larger files with many ranges take a few seconds longer.
Download your files
Each output file appears with its page range and file size. Download them one at a time, or click "Download All" to save every split file. Files are named split_pages_[start]-[end].pdf automatically.
Ready to split your PDF?
Free, instant, no sign-up. Your file never leaves your device.
Split PDF free →Two ways to split
The tool supports two split approaches depending on what you need:
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Custom page ranges
Define exactly which pages go into each output file. You can create multiple ranges in one pass — for example, extract pages 1–3 as one file, pages 7–12 as another, and pages 20–25 as a third, all from a single upload.
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Split into individual pages
Click the "Split into individual pages" button and the tool automatically creates one range per page — a 10-page PDF becomes 10 separate one-page PDFs. Useful for extracting every page of a scanned document or form.
When would you need to split a PDF?
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Extract one section from a report
Pull the executive summary or appendix out of a long report to share with a specific audience without sending the entire document.
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Reduce file size for email
Email clients often have attachment limits around 10–25 MB. Splitting a large PDF into two smaller files gets it under the threshold without compressing quality.
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Separate a merged scan
Scanned a stack of documents into one PDF? Use split-into-individual-pages to give each document its own file for organised archiving.
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Extract a contract or form
A multi-party agreement often combines several forms in one PDF. Extract only the pages you need to sign and return without sharing the rest.
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Break a textbook into chapters
Split a large academic PDF into individual chapters for easier sharing with students or for reading on a device with limited storage.
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Prepare a print batch
Some printers or copy shops only accept files under a certain size. Split a large PDF into print-ready batches before sending.
Features & limitations
Fully private — your PDF is processed in your browser using PDF.js. It is never uploaded to any server.
Multiple ranges in one pass — create as many output files as you need from a single upload, with overlap detection to prevent errors.
Individual page split — one click sets every page as its own range, useful for separating scanned documents.
25 MB file size limit — files larger than 25 MB cannot be processed. For very large PDFs, compress the file first or use a desktop tool.
100-page limit — PDFs with more than 100 pages cannot be split with this tool. Use a desktop PDF editor for longer documents.
Password-protected PDFs — encrypted PDFs cannot be split. Remove the password first (check your PDF viewer's security settings), then upload.
Downloads are separate files — there is no ZIP option. "Download All" triggers individual file downloads staggered 0.5 seconds apart.
Pro tip: PDF over 25 MB?
Use the free PDF Compressor to shrink your file first, then split it. Most PDFs compress to well under the 25 MB limit without any visible quality loss.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded to a server when I split it?
No. The entire process runs in your browser using PDF.js — a JavaScript library that renders and manipulates PDFs locally. Your file is never sent to any server, which means it is completely private.
Can I extract non-consecutive pages (e.g. pages 1–3 and pages 8–10)?
Yes. Add multiple page ranges — for example range 1 covers pages 1–3 and range 2 covers pages 8–10. Both become separate output files downloaded at the same time. Ranges must not overlap each other.
What if my PDF is larger than 25 MB or has more than 100 pages?
The tool will show an error and will not process the file. For large PDFs, try compressing it first with the PDF Compressor tool to bring it under the limit. If it is still too large, a desktop PDF editor can handle bigger files without any upload: PDF24 Creator (Windows, free), LibreOffice Draw (Windows/Mac/Linux, free), or Preview (Mac, built-in). These process files locally on your machine.
Does splitting a PDF reduce its quality?
No. The pages are extracted exactly as they exist in the original — text, images, and vector graphics are preserved at full quality. Splitting does not re-compress or re-render any content.
Why does "Download All" open multiple download prompts?
The tool downloads each split file as a separate PDF, staggered half a second apart. This is normal — your browser may ask you to allow multiple downloads the first time. There is no ZIP option currently.
Can I split a password-protected PDF?
No. Encrypted PDFs cannot be read by the tool. Remove the password first — in most PDF viewers you can go to File → Save As or Print → PDF to create an unprotected copy — then upload the unprotected version.
Will split PDFs preserve bookmarks, hyperlinks, and annotations?
Text, images, and embedded fonts are preserved exactly as in the original. However, document-level bookmarks (the navigation panel in Acrobat) are not carried over to split files. Internal hyperlinks that point to pages within the same document may break if the target page ends up in a different split file. External hyperlinks (to websites) are preserved.
Related PDF tools
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PDF Compressor
Reduce PDF file size before splitting large documents.
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PDF Merger
Combine multiple PDFs into one file — the reverse of splitting.
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PDF Page Numbers
Add sequential page numbers to your split PDF files.
Split your PDF in seconds
Free, no sign-up, nothing uploaded. Extract any pages you need — your file stays on your device throughout.
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