Guide · Organizing pages
How to split a PDF
Reviewed
Short answer
To split a PDF, open it in a PDF splitter, choose how to cut it (custom page ranges such as 1-3, 4-10, 11-; every N pages; or one file per page) and download the resulting files. Splitting always produces several PDFs. If you want a single new file containing only some pages, extract pages instead.
On this page (7)
Split, extract or remove: pick the right one
Split cuts one PDF into several files that together cover the pages you chose, such as breaking a scanned stack into one file per invoice. Extract copies selected pages into one new PDF and leaves the original intact, such as pulling the signature page out of a contract. Remove deletes pages and gives you back one shorter file, such as dropping blank pages from a scan.
1One long PDF
2Choose where to cut
3Separate files
Split a PDF in PDFBetter
- 1
Upload one PDF
Open Split PDF and add the file. It is processed in your browser and isn't uploaded.
- 2
Choose a split mode
Type ranges like 1-3, 4-10, 11- for custom parts, pick “every N pages” for a stack of same-length forms, or “each page” for single-page files.
- 3
Review the parts
Each output is listed with its page range, page count and a thumbnail of its first page, so a mistyped range is easy to spot.
- 4
Download
Download files one at a time or all together as a ZIP. No account is needed.
Writing page ranges
Separate ranges with commas; each range becomes one file. An open range like “11-” runs to the last page. Ranges can overlap if a page, such as a cover sheet, belongs in more than one part. Page numbers refer to the PDF's page order, which may differ from the numbers printed on the pages.
Name the parts so you can find them
Output files are named after the original with the page range added, for example report_p1-3.pdf. Rename them before downloading when the parts have meaning, such as invoice numbers or employee names. Consistent names make sorting and archiving much easier.
Splitting to meet an upload limit
Portals often cap file size. Splitting a large scan into parts helps, but each part keeps its original image quality, so a single page can still be large. Compress the parts if they are still over the limit.
Tools used in this guide
- Split PDFChoose where to cut, preview every resulting file, and download them as separate PDFs or one ZIP.
- Extract PDF pagesSelect specific pages and save them as a new PDF, without changing the original.
- Remove PDF pagesSelect the pages you do not want, check the remaining page count, and save a shorter PDF.
- Compress PDFUpload a PDF, choose how hard to compress its images, and download a smaller file with the text and form fields untouched.
Questions people ask
Is splitting a PDF free?
Yes. Splitting runs in your browser and the files download free without an account.
Does splitting reduce quality?
No. Pages are copied as they are, with no re-compression.
Can PDFBetter split automatically at each new invoice?
No. Splitting can't detect document boundaries from content; you choose the ranges, or use “every N pages” when documents have the same length.
What happens to bookmarks and links?
Links to pages that end up in a different part stop working, because those pages are now in another file.
Can I split a password-protected PDF?
Unlock it with its password first.