PDF processing happens entirely in your browser — your file is never uploaded.
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PDF files often contain more than you need to share. A 50-page contract might only require the signature pages; a 200-page report may need to be broken into chapter-sized files or single-page archives for a document management system.
This Split PDF tool offers three modes. **Pick pages** uses a virtualized thumbnail grid (with shift-click range select) synced to editable range text. **Text ranges** lets you type selections like `1-3, 5, 7-9` without using the grid. **Split every page** creates one PDF per page and packages them in a ZIP download.
For pick and range modes, the output is **one combined PDF** containing your selected pages in order—not multiple separate files. Splitting copies page objects from the PDF page tree (ISO 32000); nothing is re-rendered or quality-reduced.
Drop a PDF into the upload area or click to browse. The file loads locally—up to 100 MB. Page count and thumbnail previews appear after load.
Select Pick pages (thumbnail grid + synced text), Text ranges (type 1-3, 5, 7-9), or Split every page (one PDF per page in a ZIP).
In Pick mode, click thumbnails or edit the range field; use shift+click for a contiguous range. In Text ranges mode, type page numbers and ranges. Split every page requires no selection—it processes all pages.
Click Split PDF. Pick and range modes download one combined PDF. Split every page downloads a ZIP named with page-N.pdf files inside.
Common real-world scenarios where this tool saves time.
Pull one chapter, one invoice, or one exhibit into a single combined PDF to share only the relevant pages.
Use Pick pages on thumbnail previews to isolate one document from a multi-scan PDF, then split it into its own file.
Split every page into individual PDFs packaged in a ZIP for court filing, DMS import, or archival workflows.
Extract the pages you need, then compress the output or merge it with other PDFs in a follow-up step.
Select only shareable page ranges so pricing tables, internal notes, or appendices stay out of the exported PDF.
Step-by-step chains that connect related tools for common tasks.
Pull only the pages you need, then shrink the output if it still exceeds your mailbox limit.
Export single-page files, then recombine only the pages you need in order.
When a rough extract still contains pages you do not want, trim instead of re-splitting from scratch.
Standard sequence when page order or size needs adjustment after extraction.
Input
45-page contract PDF · Text ranges: 44-45Output
One 2-page PDF (signature + witness pages)Use Text ranges or Pick pages to pull only the signing section into one shareable PDF. The full contract stays on your device and is not modified.
Input
80-page annual report · Text ranges: 1-3, 22-35, 78Output
One PDF with executive summary, operations chapter, and appendix in that orderPick and range modes keep selected pages in the order you specify—ideal when you need multiple sections in a single attachment without sending the full report.
Input
24-page multi-invoice scan · Pick pages: 5-8Output
One 4-page PDF (single invoice)Use the thumbnail grid on long scans to confirm page positions before splitting. Output is one combined PDF, not four separate files.
Input
32-page court filing · Split every page modeOutput
ZIP containing page-1.pdf through page-32.pdfSplit every page is for DMS uploads, e-filing systems, or archives that require single-page PDFs. Download the ZIP and distribute or import individual files as needed.
The tool loads your PDF with pdf-lib, reads its page tree, and copies selected page objects—including content streams, resource dictionaries (fonts, images), and annotations—into new PDFDocument instances. Pick and range modes merge selected pages into one output file. Split-all mode creates one PDF per page and bundles them with JSZip. Thumbnail previews use pdf.js locally for selection only.
Free and common options for extracting or dividing PDF pages.
| Tool | Privacy | Browser-based | Range text input | Thumbnail pick | Split every page (ZIP) | Signup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EverydayTools | Local only — no upload | Yes | Yes (1-3, 5, 7-9) | Yes (virtualized grid) | Yes | No |
| Smallpdf | Server upload | Yes | Visual selection | Yes | Yes | Optional |
| iLovePDF | Server upload | Yes | Ranges + visual | Yes | Yes | Optional |
| Sejda | Server upload (EU) | Yes | Ranges + visual | Yes | Yes | Free tier limits |
| Adobe Acrobat Online | Server upload | Yes | Limited free tier | Yes | Yes | Account often required |
| PDF24 Tools | Server upload (EU) | Yes | Ranges + visual | Yes | Yes | No |
| Adobe Acrobat (desktop) | Local | No (desktop app) | Full control | Yes | Yes | Licence required |
EverydayTools processes PDFs in your browser with pdf-lib—files are not uploaded for normal split operations.
Where processing happens affects privacy, speed, and what you can verify.
| Factor | Browser-based (this tool) | Server-based splitters |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | PDF bytes stay on your device | File uploaded to a third-party server |
| Verification | Network tab shows no PDF upload requests | Upload visible in Network tab to vendor domain |
| File size limit | Browser memory (~100 MB per file here) | Vendor-specific caps (often 25–100 MB) |
| Speed | No upload wait; scales with page count locally | Depends on upload bandwidth and server queue |
| Offline after load | Split works once the page and libraries load | Requires active internet for upload |
| Cost | Free, no watermark on output | Often freemium with daily or file limits |
Choosing the right tool for your page management task.
| Task | Best tool | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| One PDF with pages 3, 7, and 12 only | Split PDF (pick or ranges) | Outputs one combined PDF in your specified order |
| One PDF per page in a ZIP | Split PDF (split every page) | Downloads page-1.pdf, page-2.pdf, … in a ZIP |
| Delete unwanted pages, keep the rest | Remove Pages | Specify pages to remove; output keeps remaining pages |
| Reorder pages within one PDF | Reorder PDF Pages | Drag-and-drop page reordering |
| Combine multiple PDFs into one | Merge PDF | Joins separate source files in your chosen order |
| Extract pages with rotation or advanced options | Extract PDF Pages | Sibling tool with overlapping extract workflow |
Use Split PDF when you need selected pages from one document—either as one combined file or as single-page PDFs in a ZIP. Use Merge, Remove Pages, or Extract PDF Pages when your goal is joining files, deleting pages, or a dedicated extract workflow.
| Related tool | Use this tool when | Use related tool when |
|---|---|---|
| Merge PDF | You have one PDF and need specific pages—or every page as separate files—in new output from that single source. | You already have multiple PDFs and need them combined in one ordered document for email or portal upload. |
| Remove Pages | You want to keep a custom subset and download it as one new PDF (pick or ranges), or export every page as its own file (split every page ZIP). | Most pages should stay and only a few need deleting—specify pages to remove instead of pages to keep. |
| Extract PDF Pages | You need pick + range splitting, split-every-page ZIP, or the three-mode workflow on this page. | You want the dedicated extract tool with its own selection UI and extract-focused workflow—functionally similar for single-PDF subset output. |
The virtualized grid shows actual page content. Confirm page numbers match your intent—especially for front matter, appendices, or blank pages.
`1-30` is cleaner than listing every page. Combine ranges and singles: `1-3, 7, 15-20`.
If you need one attachment, use Pick or Text ranges. Split every page is for ZIP archives and single-page filing systems.
Split PDF does not recompress images. Chain to Compress PDF when the output must fit email or portal limits.
Splitting creates new downloads—the source file on disk is untouched. Retain the original in case you need a different page selection later.
Pick pages and Text ranges produce **one combined PDF** with your selection in order. Use Split every page when you need one file per page in a ZIP.
PDF page 1 in the tool is the first page in the file—regardless of printed numbers. A document paginated from page 50 still has its first page at position 1. Use thumbnail previews to confirm.
Output size is proportional to the pages included. Use Compress PDF afterward if the extracted section must meet an email or upload size limit.
Encrypted PDFs cannot be read by pdf-lib without decryption. Unlock the PDF in your reader first (with authorization), then split.
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No. Splitting runs entirely in your browser with pdf-lib and pdf.js for thumbnails. Your PDF is read from device memory and the output is generated locally—it is not sent to EverydayTools servers for normal use.
Open your browser Developer Tools → Network tab, filter by Fetch/XHR, then upload and split a PDF. You should see no requests carrying your PDF file to external servers. Only static assets (JavaScript, the pdf.js worker) load from the site.
Split PDF (this tool) copies selected pages into new output: pick/ranges → one combined PDF; split every page → ZIP of single-page files. Extract PDF Pages is a sibling tool focused on pulling page subsets from one PDF—overlapping with pick/ranges here. Remove Pages deletes specified pages and keeps the rest—better when you want to drop a few pages from an otherwise complete document.
Yes. The layout is responsive with touch-friendly controls, a sticky Split action bar on mobile after you scroll, and a virtualized thumbnail grid for large PDFs. Very large files (hundreds of pages) may process slowly on low-memory phones.
Pick pages and Text ranges always download one combined PDF with your selection. Split every page downloads a ZIP containing page-1.pdf, page-2.pdf, and so on—one PDF per page.
Not without unlocking it first. pdf-lib cannot read encrypted PDFs without the password. Remove protection in your PDF reader (with authorization), save an unlocked copy, then split.
The tool uses PDF page order: page 1 is always the first page in the file, even if the sheet prints "Page 50" in the footer. Use thumbnail previews in Pick mode to match visual content to numbers.
Yes. Choose Split every page. The result is a ZIP download with one PDF per page, named page-1.pdf, page-2.pdf, etc.
Select Text ranges mode (or edit the synced field in Pick mode). Use hyphens for ranges and commas between parts: `1-3, 5, 7-9` selects pages 1,2,3,5,7,8,9 in that order in one output PDF.
Hyperlinks within the extracted page range are preserved. Document-level bookmarks referencing pages outside your selection may not work in the output, since those pages are not included.
No. Splitting copies page objects without re-encoding or re-rendering. Text, fonts, images, and vector graphics in selected pages match the originals.
Up to 100 MB per PDF. There is no hard page limit, but very large documents take longer because processing runs in your browser. The virtualized grid helps preview large files without rendering every thumbnail at once.
Yes—roughly proportional to pages kept. A 50 MB 20-page PDF split to 5 pages often yields about 10–15 MB. For further reduction, run the output through Compress PDF.
Form fields on selected pages are copied to the output. Filled values remain. Cross-page validation rules referencing pages you did not include will no longer function.
Yes—free with no signup and no watermark on downloaded PDFs or ZIP files.
All PDF splitting runs locally in your browser using pdf-lib and pdf.js. Your files—including contracts, medical records, and legal documents—are not uploaded to EverydayTools servers, stored, or logged during normal use.
Selected pages are lossless copies of the original page objects. Pick and range modes preserve your specified page order in one output PDF.
Every split operation runs in client-side JavaScript (pdf-lib, JSZip, pdf.js). Open the Network tab while splitting—no requests should carry your PDF bytes to external servers.
After loading a PDF, open Developer Tools → Network, perform a split, and confirm no upload requests contain your file. Compare output page count and thumbnails against your selection before sharing.
Limitations: Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked before splitting. Pick/ranges output one combined PDF—not multiple files per range. Split-all ZIP size can exceed the source due to per-file PDF overhead. Bookmarks spanning removed pages may break. Very large PDFs may be slow or fail on low-memory mobile browsers.
Verify output page order and content before legal, medical, or formal submission. Splitting does not redact text within a page—use proper redaction tools if sensitive content appears on a kept page.
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Reviewed by EverydayTools Editorial Team on 2026-06-02.
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PDF only · max 100 MB · runs locally