Split a PDF / extract pages

Two kinds of splitting

Splitting a PDF usually means one of two things. Extracting pulls a subset of pages into a new file: page 3, or pages 10 to 15, or pages 1, 4 and 9. Dividing breaks a document into several files, for example every chapter into its own PDF. The tool above handles both: give it a single range to extract, or several ranges and it will produce a separate file for each.

Writing page ranges

Ranges use the page numbers shown in your PDF viewer, starting at 1. A few examples:

Pages are copied as they are. Text stays selectable, images keep their original quality and nothing is re-rendered, so extracted pages are byte-for-byte the same quality as the source.

Why people split PDFs

• Sending only the relevant page of a long statement instead of the whole thing.
• Separating the signature page from a contract so it can be signed and returned alone.
• Pulling one chapter out of a textbook or manual for a reading pack.
• Removing cover pages, blank scanned pages or fax headers.
• Breaking a large scan into pieces that fit an upload limit.
• Extracting a single certificate from a multi-document scan.

Removing pages

There is no separate "delete page" tool because extraction does the job: to remove page 7 from a 12-page document, extract 1-6, 8-12. The new PDF is the original without page 7.

Reordering pages

Ranges are output in the order you write them, so 3, 1, 2 produces a PDF with page 3 first. That is a quick way to move a cover or an appendix without a dedicated editor.

Large and secure documents

Splitting is done in your browser's memory, so a 500-page document is fine on a laptop; a very large scanned book on an older phone may run out of memory. Password-protected PDFs need to be unlocked in a viewer first. Because nothing is uploaded, splitting medical, legal and financial documents here is safe.