How to split a PDF into pages, ranges or size-limited parts

When splitting is useful

Common reasons include sending one section of a long report to a colleague, separating a scanned batch into individual documents, breaking a large file into parts that fit an email or portal limit, and giving each person only the pages that concern them.

Splitting copies pages into new files without re-rendering them, so text stays selectable and images and vector graphics keep their quality. The work happens in your browser; the file is not uploaded and no account is needed.

The five splitting modes

Split PDF offers five ways to divide a document. Pick the one that matches how you think about the result.

• Custom ranges: you type the pages you want, and each range becomes its own file, or you can combine all ranges into one file.
• Every N pages: the document is cut into equal parts, for example every 10 pages.
• Each page separately: one file per page.
• By maximum file size: you set a target in MB and the document is divided at page boundaries.
• In half: two parts of about the same length.

How to write page ranges

Ranges are separated by commas. A single number means one page, two numbers joined by a hyphen mean an inclusive range, and a hyphen with nothing after it means from that page to the end. For example, 1-3, 5, 8- gives pages 1 to 3, page 5, and everything from page 8 onwards.

Use the page numbers of the file position, not the numbers printed on the pages. If a document has a cover and the first printed number appears on the third page, then printed page 1 is file page 3. Check the thumbnails or the page count before you type a range.

Split a PDF step by step

The steps are the same for every mode; only the setting in step three changes.

• Open Split PDF and add the file. If it is password-protected, unlock it first.
• Look at the page count so you know the highest valid page number.
• Choose the mode and set its value: your ranges, the number N, or the target size.
• Run the split. When there is more than one output file, they are delivered together in a single ZIP.
• Extract the ZIP and open a few of the parts to confirm they contain the right pages.

Splitting by file size

The size mode is meant for upload limits. You enter a target in MB, and the tool starts a new file whenever adding the next page would exceed it. Because splitting can only happen between pages, the target is approximate.

One consequence is worth knowing: a single page that is larger than the target cannot be cut, so it stays whole in its own file. If that happens, compress the document first with Compress PDF, or accept that one part will exceed the limit.

Split, extract or delete: which one?

Use Split PDF when you want several files from one document, or the whole document divided systematically. Use Extract PDF Pages when you want a single new file containing selected pages, for example pages 4, 9 and 12, chosen by clicking thumbnails or typing ranges. Use Delete PDF Pages when you want to keep most of the document and just remove a few pages.

All three leave the original file untouched and give you a new PDF, so you can try one, look at the result, and switch to another without any risk to your source document.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most problems come from small slips, and they are easy to avoid once you know them.

• Mixing up printed page numbers and file page numbers, especially after a cover page or roman-numeral front matter.
• Typing a range beyond the last page, which cannot match anything.
• Overlapping ranges by accident, such as 1-5 and 5-9, which puts page 5 in two files.
• Forgetting to unlock a protected file before splitting.
• Splitting when you actually wanted to reorder pages; in that case Organize PDF is the better tool.