Split PDF

What is Split PDF?

Splitting a PDF lets you extract exactly the pages you need from a larger document and save them as a new, smaller file. Our browser-based PDF splitter handles this entirely inside your browser, no file uploads, no server processing, and no registration required. The tool supports three splitting modes: by page range (e.g., extract pages 5–12), by individual page selection (choose any non-consecutive pages), or split every page into its own separate PDF. All three modes work on documents of any size, and the output can be downloaded as individual files or bundled into a single ZIP archive.

Why use this tool?

Everything runs in your browser using PDF.js and pdf-lib, no files are ever sent to a server. This means you can safely split contracts, medical records, financial statements, and other sensitive documents. There are no file size restrictions, no watermarks on the output, and no limit on how many pages you can extract at once. The tool works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Common use cases

Splitting PDFs is essential in dozens of everyday workflows. A student extracts the relevant chapter from a 400-page textbook PDF to share with classmates. A paralegal pulls specific exhibits from a court filing. A photographer extracts individual proof pages from a client portfolio PDF. A developer separates individual invoice PDFs from a batch export. A real estate agent extracts the signature page from a purchase agreement for signing. Splitting is also the right approach when a PDF is too large to email, rather than compressing (which may reduce quality), you split it into parts that each fit within the email attachment limit, then send multiple emails.

Frequently asked questions

Can I extract non-consecutive pages from a PDF?

Yes. You can select any combination of individual pages regardless of their position in the document, for example, pages 1, 5, 8, and 15 from a 20-page PDF. The output will contain only those pages in the order you specified.

Does splitting damage or modify the original PDF?

No. The tool reads your original file, creates new PDFs from the selected pages, and leaves the original completely untouched. If you upload from your local storage, nothing is sent to any server, the original file on your device is never modified.

Can I split a PDF into individual pages automatically?

Yes. The "Split all pages" option generates one separate PDF per page. A 50-page PDF produces 50 individual files, which you can download as a ZIP archive. This is useful for archiving scanned document sets where each page is a separate record.

What is the maximum PDF size I can split?

There is no enforced size limit. Files up to several hundred megabytes work well on desktop browsers. Very large files on mobile devices may be slow due to limited device memory. If a file is extremely large, consider compressing it first to reduce memory pressure during splitting.

Can I split a password-protected PDF?

You need to unlock the PDF first using our Unlock PDF tool before splitting. This is a deliberate security measure, splitting a password-protected file would require bypassing the access controls the document owner set. Always ensure you have permission to modify the document before removing protection.

Will the extracted pages retain their original formatting?

Yes. The splitting process preserves all content exactly, text, images, vector graphics, fonts, form fields, hyperlinks, and annotations. The extracted pages look and behave identically to how they appeared in the original document.

How do I split a PDF into two equal halves?

For a 20-page document, run the split twice: first extract pages 1–10, then extract pages 11–20. There is no single "split in half" button, but two-step extraction achieves the same result in under a minute.

1. 1If you need to split the same large PDF repeatedly (e.g., monthly bank statements), note the exact page ranges you need. The tool remembers nothing between sessions, so documenting your ranges saves time on repeat extractions.
2. 2After splitting, run Compress PDF on each output file if you plan to email them, extracted pages sometimes inherit large embedded fonts or color profiles from the original that take up more space than the visible content.
3. 3Use the "split every page" option combined with our Rotate PDF tool to batch-fix a scanned document where alternating pages are upside-down, extract all pages, rotate the odd ones, then re-merge.

How does it compare?

Adobe Acrobat's split feature is only available in the paid tier (Acrobat Standard or Pro, $14.99–$23.99/month). Most free alternatives upload your PDF to a remote server. ImageAndPDF.com splits PDFs entirely inside your browser, no upload, no subscription, no watermarks.

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