Split PDF
Extract specific pages or split a PDF into multiple files. Select pages visually, by range, or split every N pages. Preview before downloading.
How it works
- Upload a PDF file
- Click pages to select, or use range/split mode
- Click Split to extract selected pages
- Download individual files or all as ZIP
Features
- Files never leave your device
- Visual page selection with thumbnails
- Split by range, selection, or every N pages
- Download as ZIP or individual files
- No file size limits
What is Split PDF?
Split PDF is a free online tool that lets you extract specific pages from a PDF or divide it into multiple smaller files, entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to any server because all processing happens locally on your device using pdf-lib and PDF.js. There are no file size limits, no sign-ups, and no watermarks.
Whether you need to pull a single chapter from a textbook, separate an invoice from a multi-page statement, or break a large report into individual sections for distribution, this tool handles it instantly without compromising your document privacy.
How to Use This Tool
Follow these steps to split a PDF online free with this tool:
- Upload your PDF - Drag and drop a PDF file onto the upload area, or click to browse your files. The tool renders thumbnail previews of every page so you can see exactly what you are working with.
- Choose a split mode - Select from three options: click individual page thumbnails to hand-pick pages, enter a page range (e.g. pages 3 to 7), or use "Split Every N" to automatically divide the document into equal chunks.
- Click Split PDF - The tool creates new PDF files from your selection. A progress bar shows the status for larger documents.
- Download your files - Preview each result, rename files if needed, then download individually or grab everything at once as a ZIP archive.
Key Features
- Visual page selection - Every page is rendered as a clickable thumbnail so you can see content before selecting, eliminating guesswork about which pages to extract.
- Three splitting modes - Pick individual pages by clicking them, specify a numeric range, or automatically split every N pages for batch processing.
- In-browser preview - View the resulting split PDF files at full resolution directly in the tool before downloading, so you can verify the output is correct.
- Rename before download - Each output file has an editable filename field, letting you organize your split files with meaningful names before saving.
- ZIP download - Download all split files as a single ZIP archive with one click, powered by JSZip, so you do not have to save files one at a time.
- Complete privacy - Processing runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly-optimized libraries. No data is transmitted, and the tool works offline after initial page load.
- No file size limits - Unlike most online PDF splitters that cap uploads at 10-50 MB, this tool handles any file size your browser can load.
Common Use Cases
Students use this tool to extract specific chapters or problem sets from large textbook PDFs without carrying around the full document. Professionals split multi-page contracts to send only the signature page to clients, or extract individual invoices from a consolidated monthly statement. Researchers pull specific figures or data tables from published papers to include in presentations. HR departments break employee handbooks into department-specific sections. Anyone dealing with scanned documents can isolate the pages they actually need without re-scanning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my PDF uploaded to a server when I split it?
No. This tool processes everything locally in your browser using pdf-lib and PDF.js. Your file never leaves your device, which means confidential documents like contracts, medical records, or financial statements stay completely private. The tool even works offline once the page has loaded.
Is there a maximum file size or page limit?
There is no imposed limit. The only constraint is your browser's available memory. Most modern browsers can handle PDFs up to several hundred megabytes without issues. For extremely large files (500+ pages), rendering thumbnails may take a few seconds, but splitting itself remains fast.
What is the difference between the three split modes?
"Select Pages" lets you click individual thumbnails to hand-pick exactly which pages to extract into a new file. "Page Range" lets you type a start and end page number for a continuous section. "Split Every N" automatically divides the entire document into multiple files of N pages each, which is ideal for breaking a 100-page document into 10-page chunks.
Does splitting preserve the original PDF quality and formatting?
Yes. The tool copies pages directly from the source PDF without re-encoding or re-rendering. All text, images, vector graphics, fonts, annotations, and hyperlinks are preserved exactly as they appear in the original file. The output is identical in quality to the input.
Can I split a password-protected PDF?
If the PDF requires a password to open (encrypted), the browser will not be able to read the file and splitting will fail. However, if the PDF only has permissions restrictions (like print-disabled or copy-disabled) but opens without a password, the tool can still process it normally since those restrictions are not enforced at the file-reading level by pdf-lib.