How to Split a PDF: Extract or Separate Pages for Free

Sometimes you only need a few pages out of a big PDF, a single signed page from a contract, chapter three of a manual, or every page saved as its own file. Splitting a PDF lets you do exactly that without printing, rescanning or buying software.

Extracting vs. splitting: what's the difference?

Extracting pulls out a specific selection of pages (say pages 1-3 and 7) into one new PDF. Splitting into separate files saves every page, or every chunk, as its own PDF. Both are useful; pick based on whether you want one focused document or many individual ones.

How to split a PDF online (step by step)

1. Open the Split PDF tool and upload your file by dropping it or clicking to browse.
2. Choose a mode. "Extract range" for a specific selection, or "Every page" to break it fully apart.
3. Enter your pages. For a range, type something like 1-3, 5, 8-10. Use a dash for a span and commas to separate.
4. Click Split PDF. An extracted selection downloads as one PDF; a full split downloads as a ZIP of individual files.

When to split a PDF

• Share only what's needed, send one section instead of a 60-page document.
• Separate scanned batches, one scan session, many documents.
• Break up large files, get under an email or upload size limit.
• Isolate a signed page, pull the executed page from a contract.

Tips

• Preview page numbers first. Open the PDF and note which pages you actually need before typing the range.
• Recombine later if needed with the Merge tool.
• Reorder or rotate extracted pages with the organize tool.

Troubleshooting

"Enter a valid page range." Check your syntax, use numbers, dashes and commas only, and stay within the document's page count.

Encrypted file won't open. Remove the password first, then split.

Frequently asked questions