How to Split a PDF by Page Range
To split by range, enter pages such as 1-3,5; each range becomes its own PDF. Choose one-file-per-page to get a separate PDF for every page, with the results packed into split.zip. The original file is never uploaded.
When splitting is the right tool
A long contract goes to a client who only needs the pricing pages and the signature page. Split out pages 1-3 and page 5 instead of sending the whole document, and you avoid printing, rescanning or recombining anything.
When a scanned or exported PDF contains one invoice, certificate or receipt per page, split every page into its own file for filing. Sending different chapters to different recipients is the same kind of job.
- Send only the pricing and signature pages of a contract.
- Archive one invoice per file.
- Send different chapters to different people.
- Stay under an upload limit by splitting first.
Getting the page ranges right
Pages count from 1. Separate ranges with commas and use a plain hyphen, for example 1-3,5,7-9. Each range produces one file, so 1-3,5 gives you two files, not one. Overlapping ranges duplicate pages across the results; pages beyond the end are trimmed. Invalid ranges are dropped, and if none are valid the tool asks you to re-enter them.
Splitting copies pages; it does not renumber them. Page 5 of the original still shows 5 in the extracted file, not 1. Bookmarks, outlines and form fields are dropped, and encrypted PDFs cannot be read. One-file-per-page creates that many documents in memory, so a several-hundred-page scan can slow a phone down; range mode produces fewer files.
- 1-3,5 means two files, not one combined file.
- Ranges past the last page are trimmed without an error.
- Printed page numbers inside the pages do not change.
- For long documents, prefer range mode over per-page splitting.
When not to split
If you only want to jump around while reading, type a page number in your PDF viewer; no new file is needed. Splitting by bookmark or chapter is not supported here — this tool works from page numbers only. If you just need to remove a few pages and produce one new PDF, use Extract Pages.
To reorder pages, split and merge can get you there, but bookmarks and forms will be lost; a desktop PDF editor is safer. Splitting does not compress anything, so large scans stay large. Processing happens on your device, and closing the page clears the files.
- Split by bookmark or chapter: use a desktop editor.
- Remove pages only: use Extract.
- Reorder pages: use a desktop PDF editor.
- Shrink the file: splitting will not help.
FAQ
How do I write the page ranges when splitting a PDF?
Number from 1. Write single pages as numbers, ranges with a hyphen, and separate them with commas, for example 1-3,5,7-9. Each range becomes a separate file, and pages past the end are trimmed.
Does splitting renumber the pages?
No. The pages are copied as they are, so any printed page numbers stay unchanged. If you need fresh sequential numbers, add them afterwards with the page-number tool; it does not remove the old ones, so they may overlap.
Can I split a several-hundred-page PDF on a phone?
There is no fixed page limit; it depends on available memory. Ordinary documents of a few hundred pages usually work. Per-page splitting creates the same number of files at once and is the most likely to fail on a phone, so use range mode to produce fewer outputs. Encrypted PDFs must be saved without a password first.
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