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Split PDF

Split a PDF into selected pages or smaller documents in the browser. Use it to extract a form, separate chapters, remove extra pages, or create focused files for sharing.

Last updated: March 25, 2026

Client-Side Processing
Input Data Stays on Device
Instant Local Execution
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What is Split PDF?

PDF splitting is the process of extracting specific pages from a PDF document and saving them as one or more separate files. Unlike cutting — which would remove pages from the original — PDF splitting reads the source document and creates new PDFs from selected page ranges while leaving the original file untouched on your device.

This tool offers three splitting modes: (1) extract a specific page range (e.g. pages 3-7), (2) split into every individual page, or (3) split into custom groups (e.g. pages 1-5, 6-10, 11-end). All processing runs in your browser using the pdf-lib library — no files are uploaded. Multiple output files are packaged into a ZIP archive for easy download.

How to Use Split PDF

1

Click "Select PDF" or drag and drop a PDF file onto the upload area

2

Choose your split mode: Extract Range, Split All Pages, or Custom Groups

3

For Extract Range: enter the start and end page numbers (e.g. "5 to 12")

4

For Custom Groups: define each range separated by commas (e.g. "1-5, 6-10, 11-25")

5

Click "Split PDF" — a single file downloads for one range, a ZIP for multiple files

Common Use Cases

  • Extracting a single chapter or section from a large eBook or manual
  • Separating individual invoices from a multi-page bulk scan
  • Extracting specific slides from a PDF presentation for a focused handout
  • Removing the first page (cover) or last pages (appendix) from a report before sharing
  • Breaking a large PDF into smaller chunks for email attachment size limits
  • Extracting signature pages from contracts to sign independently
  • Splitting monthly bank statements into individual transaction sections
  • Creating a preview excerpt (first 5 pages) from a long document for sharing

Example Input and Output

Extracting the executive summary from a 48-page annual report:

Source PDF + split settings
Source: annual-report-2024.pdf (48 pages)
Split mode: Extract Range
Pages: 1 to 6 (executive summary section)
Output files
Download: annual-report-2024_pages_1-6.pdf
Pages: 6
Content: Table of contents + executive summary
File size: ~15% of original
Original file: unchanged on your device

How This Tool Works

The uploaded PDF is read as an ArrayBuffer using the FileReader API. pdf-lib loads it as a PDFDocument and provides access to all pages. For each defined page range, a new empty PDFDocument is created and the specified pages are copied into it using copyPages(). For multiple ranges, JSZip compiles results into a ZIP Blob. Each resulting PDF is fully self-contained with all referenced fonts and images from the original page.

Technical Stack

pdf-lib (JavaScript)JSZipFileReader APIBlob URL downloadClient-side only

Privacy First

All splitting runs locally using pdf-lib in your browser. Your PDF files never leave your device — no upload, no server processing, no storage.

Page Numbering Tip

PDF page numbers in this tool refer to physical page position (1 = first page of the PDF), not the printed page numbers shown in the PDF. A report starting at "page iii" for the table of contents is still physical page 1 in the tool.

ZIP for Multiple Files

When splitting into more than one output file, the download is a ZIP archive. Open it with your OS's built-in extraction tool (Windows: "Extract All", macOS: double-click). All major operating systems can extract zip files natively without additional software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extract non-contiguous pages (e.g., pages 2, 5, and 9)?

Yes — use the Custom Groups mode and define each specific page as its own "range" (e.g. "2, 5, 9" as separate entries). The resulting file will contain those pages in the order you specified, not necessarily the original document order.

What format are the output files?

All output files are standard PDF format (.pdf). If splitting into multiple files, they are packaged into a single ZIP archive that downloads automatically. Each file is named with the source filename and its page range (e.g. invoice-batch_pages_1-5.pdf).

Will the split PDFs maintain quality and formatting?

Yes. PDF pages are extracted exactly as they exist in the source — fonts, images, vector graphics, and text remain at full quality. This tool copies page content at the PDF structure level, not by re-rendering, so there is no quality loss.

Can I split a password-protected PDF?

Only if the PDF's permissions allow page extraction (a user permission setting in the PDF). Password-protected PDFs that restrict permissions cannot be split without knowing the owner password. Try removing the password restriction first using a PDF password remover.

Is there a page count limit?

There is no enforced limit. However, splitting a very large PDF (1000+ pages) into many individual files may be slow due to browser memory constraints. For very large documents, split in batches rather than attempting to split all pages at once.

Are my PDF files sent to a server?

No. All splitting happens locally in your browser using pdf-lib. Your files are never uploaded, transmitted, or stored on our servers. The ZIP archive is generated entirely in browser memory and downloaded directly to your device.

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