How to Split a PDF and Extract Pages: Ranges and Every N Pages

Most people split a PDF for one of three reasons: they need only a few pages from a long document, they want to separate a combined file into parts, or a portal will not accept a file this large. Each of these is a different operation, and the right choice saves time.

The three ways to split

The Split PDF tool has three modes:

1. Extract pages. Pick pages or ranges and get them in one new PDF.
2. Split by ranges. Each range becomes its own file, and the files arrive in a ZIP.
3. Split every N pages. The whole document is cut into equal parts, for example one file per page.

It shows how many pages the PDF has, checks your ranges before it runs, and names each output file by its pages.

Writing page ranges

A range is a list separated by commas. Each item is either a single page or two pages joined by a hyphen. Spaces are fine.

Take a 12-page document:

• 1-3, 5, 8-10 in extract mode makes one PDF of seven pages: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 and 10, in that order.
• 1-3, 4-6, 7 in split-by-ranges mode makes three files: pages 1 to 3, pages 4 to 6, and page 7.
• Every 4 pages makes three files: pages 1 to 4, 5 to 8, and 9 to 12.
• Every 1 page makes twelve single-page files.

Ranges must go forwards, so 5-3 is rejected, and they must stay within the page count. Open-ended ranges such as 5- are not accepted, so write 5-12.

What happens to links and bookmarks

Pages are copied into the new file, so text, images and layout stay as they were. Links and bookmarks that point to a page you did not include no longer work in the new file. If the document relies on an index or a table of contents, check the result.

Why you might split before other steps

• Before compressing. Remove pages you do not need, then run Compress PDF. Every page you drop leaves room for the others under a limit such as 200 KB.
• Before sending. Send only the pages the other person needs, such as a signature page or one chapter, which also keeps unrelated information private.
• Before converting. Extract the pages you need, then use PDF to Word or PDF to JPG on the smaller file, which is faster and uses less memory.
• After scanning. A batch scan of several documents into one PDF can be separated into one file per document.

Limits

The file can be up to 200 MB. Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first with Unlock PDF. Everything happens in your browser, so the document is not uploaded.

Putting pages back together

The opposite operation is Merge PDF, which joins files in the order you choose. If you only need to change the order of pages inside one file, PDF Reorder does that, and Rotate PDF fixes sideways pages. Our guide to reducing PDF file size covers splitting as a size strategy.

Quick checklist

1. Open the file and note the page numbers you need.
2. Choose the mode that matches your goal: one file, several files or equal parts.
3. Write the ranges with commas and hyphens, forward only.
4. Download the result, open it and check the first and last page.
5. Keep the original in case you need other pages later.