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Split PDF
Split PDF cuts one document into several smaller files, either by naming custom page ranges or by exploding every page into its own single-page PDF. Each range is written as an independent, standards-compliant PDF that opens in any reader.
How to use Split PDF
- Upload the PDF you want to divide.
- Choose Extract all pages, or type ranges such as 1-3, 7, 12-15 into the range field.
- Run the split and download each resulting file from the output list.
Where Split PDF is useful
- Sending a single chapter or clause out of a long contract without exposing the rest.
- Turning a scanned batch into one file per document so each can be filed separately.
- Splitting an exam paper into a question sheet and an answer sheet.
Formats, algorithms and limits
Ranges are inclusive and 1-indexed: 3-6 yields pages three, four, five and six. Pages are copied without re-encoding, so vector text stays selectable and no quality is lost in the process. A document split into N single pages produces N independent PDFs.
Troubleshooting and honest limits
- Use descending ranges carefully — output files follow the order you list, not the order of the source document.
- Check the total page count shown in the tool before splitting; ranges beyond the last page are rejected.
- Splitting a 500-page file in 'all pages' mode creates 500 files, so allow your browser a moment to finish.
Frequently asked questions
How do I type a page range correctly?
Use hyphens for spans and commas between them, for example 1-2, 8, 10-12. Spaces are ignored, so '1-2, 8' and '1-2,8' behave identically.
Does splitting a PDF lower its resolution?
No. Pages are moved into a new document rather than re-rendered, so image resolution, embedded fonts and vector content are untouched.
Can I split a PDF that has no text layer, such as a scan?
Yes — splitting works on page geometry, not on text, so image-only scans split exactly like digital documents.
What happens if I ask for a page that does not exist?
Non-existent page numbers are ignored and the tool reports the ranges it created, so you always know what was written to disk.
Related tools
Page written and reviewed by the FreeConvertio engineering team on 2026-10-14. Split PDF runs entirely in your browser — no uploads, no account and no daily limits.