How to split a large PDF into smaller files

Big PDFs are awkward. A 300-page scan won't go through email, a portal accepts only 10 MB per upload, or you need to send someone chapter 4 and nothing else. Splitting the file solves all of these, as long as you split it the right way.

This guide covers the four ways to split a PDF and when to use each one.

Four ways to split

Split PDF offers four methods:

Method	Use it when…	Example
Custom ranges	you know exactly which pages belong together	1-3, 4-10, 11-end → 3 files
Every N pages	the document is made of equal-length parts	a stack of 2-page forms scanned together
One page per file	every page is a separate document	50 receipts scanned in one go
By file size	the parts must fit a size limit	10 MB per email

Step by step

1. Open Split PDF.
2. Add your PDF.
3. Choose a method and fill in the details: the ranges, the number of pages, or the maximum size in MB.

[Screenshot] Split PDF with "Custom ranges" selected and 1-3, 4-10, 11-end typed in.

4. Click Split PDF.
5. Download each part, or all of them in one ZIP file.

Each part keeps the original page size and orientation, and file names include the document name and the pages they contain, so they're easy to tell apart. Splitting happens in your browser; nothing is uploaded, and pages are copied without any loss of quality.

Writing page ranges

Ranges are separated by commas, and each range becomes one file:

• 1-3 → pages 1 to 3
• 5 → just page 5
• 8-end → page 8 to the last page (end always means the last page)

So 1-3, 5, 8-end produces three files. The numbers are page positions as your PDF reader counts them, starting at 1, not the numbers printed on the pages. If in doubt, check in your reader.

Splitting by file size

Choose By file size and enter the limit in MB, such as 10 or 25. The tool measures the real size of each part as it builds it, instead of guessing from the page count, so parts land close to the limit without going over.

If a single page is bigger than the limit on its own (a very large scanned image, for example), it gets a file of its own and you'll see a warning. Compress that part with Compress PDF if needed.

Splitting vs extracting vs removing

Three tools sound similar. Here's the difference:

• Split PDF cuts one document into several files.
• Extract pages creates one new file with only the pages you choose, in the order you type them (5, 1-4 puts page 5 first).
• Remove pages deletes pages and keeps everything else in one file.

If you just need chapter 4 to send to someone, Extract pages is the quickest.

Common situations

The scanner put everything in one file. Scanned 30 separate letters in one batch? Use One page per file if each letter is one page, or custom ranges if they vary. If they're all the same length, Every N pages does it in one go.

A portal accepts 10 MB per file. Use By file size with 9 or 10 MB, and upload the parts in order. Name them clearly (part-1, part-2) if the portal shows names.

You need to send one section of a long report. Extract the pages, then compress if needed.

A book scan should become chapters. Write the chapter page ranges: 1-24, 25-51, 52-80, 81-end.

Naming and sending the parts

When you send split files, make it easy for the recipient to put them in order:

• Keep the page numbers in the name (the tool does this for you), or rename them to Report – part 1 of 3.
• Mention in the email body how many parts there are and in which order to read them.
• If you send them in separate emails, use the same subject line with (1/3), (2/3), (3/3) at the end.
• For a large set, consider a ZIP: the Download all button gives you one file containing every part, which some recipients prefer, though many upload portals don't accept ZIP files.

Checking the parts

Open the first and last part and check the page count adds up to the original. With custom ranges it's easy to skip a page by accident, for example writing 1-3, 5-10 and forgetting page 4. The tool makes exactly the files you ask for, so a quick count is the best safeguard.

Putting parts back together

Split files can always be joined again with Merge PDF. Add the parts in order and merge; pages are copied without loss, just like when splitting.

Frequently asked questions

Does splitting reduce quality? No. Pages are copied without changes.

Is my file uploaded? No. Split PDF runs entirely in your browser.

Can I split a password-protected PDF? Remove the password first with Unlock PDF (you need to know it).

How do I get all the parts at once? When there are several files, use Download all to get them in one ZIP.