You rarely need a whole PDF. You need chapter 2 for a colleague, the one invoice out of a 40-page scan batch, or the same report minus its confidential appendix. Splitting a PDF is how you get there, and it takes about thirty seconds once you know the two modes and the page-range syntax.
Two Ways to Split: Extract a Range vs Split Every Page
Our Split PDF tool supports both of the operations people mean when they say "split":
- Extract a page range: you type which pages you want (for example pages 4-9) and get one new PDF containing only those pages. Use this to share a chapter, drop a page, or isolate a section.
- Split every page: a 12-page PDF becomes 12 single-page PDFs, downloaded together. Use this when each page is really its own document - separate invoices, certificates, or tickets scanned in one go.
Your original file is never modified - splitting always produces new files.
How Page-Range Syntax Works
Ranges use the same notation as a print dialog: hyphens for spans, commas to combine them. A few examples for a 20-page document:
1-3— pages 1, 2, and 35— just page 51-3,5— pages 1 to 3, plus page 5 (page 4 is skipped)1-3,5,8-10— pages 1-3, page 5, and pages 8-10, in that order1-9,11-20— everything except page 10, i.e. "remove page 10"
Tip: Page numbers refer to the PDF's physical pages, not the numbers printed on them. If a report has a cover and a table of contents, "page 1" of the content is often physical page 3 - check the page counter in the preview before extracting.
Need Pages Out of a PDF?
Extract any range or split all pages - free, in your browser, no sign-up
Open the PDF Splitter →Split a PDF in 3 Steps
Step 1: Load Your PDF
Open the Split PDF tool and drop your file in. The page count appears immediately, so you can confirm you've got the right document before doing anything.
Step 2: Choose Mode and Pages
Pick "extract range" and type your range (e.g. 1-3,5), or pick "split all pages" to get one PDF per page. Invalid ranges - a page number beyond the end of the document, for instance - are flagged before you split, not after.
Step 3: Download the Result
Click split and download. A range extraction gives you one new PDF; splitting all pages gives you the individual files. Everything happens instantly because the file is processed on your device.
Everyday Reasons to Split a PDF
- Send only one chapter: extract pages 24-41 of a 200-page manual instead of making a colleague scroll for the relevant section.
- Remove a page: drop a blank scanned page or an internal-only appendix by extracting everything except that page.
- Separate invoices from a scan batch: if you fed 15 invoices through a scanner as one PDF, "split all pages" gives you 15 individual files ready to attach to expense entries.
- Meet upload size limits: when a portal rejects a large PDF, split it into parts that fit under the limit.
Why Splitting Locally Matters
The documents people split most - bank statements, contracts, medical files - are exactly the ones that shouldn't be uploaded to a random server just to remove a page. This tool does all the work inside your browser tab: the PDF is read, split, and rebuilt on your device, and no copy ever exists anywhere else. If the pages you're extracting still contain sensitive details, you can black those out afterwards with the PDF Redactor, which works the same way.
Related Guides
- Going the other direction? See How to Merge PDF Files Without Uploading Them.
- Turning photos into a document first? Read How to Turn Photos into a Single PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove just one page from a PDF?▼
Extract everything except that page. For a 10-page file where page 4 must go, enter the range 1-3,5-10 and download the result. The new PDF contains all pages except page 4, and your original file is untouched.
Does splitting change the quality or formatting of the pages?▼
No. Splitting copies pages out of the original file without re-rendering them. Text, fonts, images, and layout in the extracted PDF are identical to the source.
Can I split a password-protected PDF?▼
Not directly - an encrypted PDF has to be unlocked before its pages can be read. Open it with its password in any PDF viewer, save an unlocked copy via Print > Save as PDF, and split that copy.
Is there a limit on file size or number of pages?▼
There is no artificial limit. The practical limit is your device memory, since the whole file is processed in the browser tab. Documents with hundreds of pages split fine on a typical laptop; extremely large scanned files may be slow on older phones.
Can I extract pages and then combine them with another document?▼
Yes - that is a very common workflow. Extract the pages you need here, then use the Merge PDF tool at tinytoolshub.com/merge-pdf/ to combine the extract with other files into one document.
Split Your PDF Now
Type a page range or split every page - your file stays on your device.
Split PDF & Extract Pages →