How to Split PDF Files — Extract, Separate & Delete Pages Free

Why Split a PDF?

You have a 50-page PDF but only need pages 3-7. Or you want to send just one chapter of a textbook. Or you need to remove a confidential page before sharing. Splitting a PDF solves all of these.

Common reasons to split PDFs:

Extract specific pages for sharing

Remove unwanted pages (blank pages, cover pages)

Break a large document into smaller files

Separate combined scans into individual documents

Create handout versions from presentations

Method 1: Split by Page Range

The most common way to split a PDF:

Open ExactPDF PDF Split

Upload your PDF

Enter page range — e.g., "1-5" for the first 5 pages

Click "Split"

Download your extracted pages

Page Range Examples

Input	Result
1-5	Pages 1 through 5
3,7,12	Only pages 3, 7, and 12
1-3, 8-10	Pages 1-3 and 8-10
5-	Page 5 to the end

Method 2: Extract Specific Pages

Need to cherry-pick individual pages?

Open Extract PDF Pages

Upload your PDF

Click on page thumbnails to select/deselect pages

Selected pages appear highlighted

Click "Extract" to create a new PDF with only selected pages

This visual method is perfect when you're not sure which page numbers you need.

Method 3: Delete Unwanted Pages

Sometimes it's easier to remove what you don't want:

Open Organize PDF

Upload your PDF

Click the X on pages you want to remove

Remaining pages form your new PDF

Download the result

Method 4: Split Into Equal Parts

Need to divide a document into equal sections?

Open PDF Split

Upload a large PDF

Choose "Split every N pages"

Enter the number (e.g., 10 pages per file)

Download all parts as separate PDFs

Great for: breaking a 100-page manual into 10-page chapters.

Advanced Splitting Tips

Tip 1: Reorder While Splitting

After selecting pages, you can drag and drop to reorder them. Create a custom arrangement before downloading.

Tip 2: Merge After Splitting

Split pages from multiple PDFs, then merge them into a new document. This is how you create custom compilations.

Tip 3: Compress After Splitting

Splitting doesn't reduce file size proportionally (fonts and metadata are preserved). Compress after splitting for smaller files.

Tip 4: Split Before Converting

If you only need to convert a few pages to Word or images, split first, then convert. This is much faster than converting the entire document.

Privacy & Security

ExactPDF's split tool processes everything locally in your browser:

Your PDF never leaves your device

No server uploads — verify with Network tab (F12)

Works offline after page loads

No file size limits

This matters especially when splitting confidential documents like contracts, financial statements, or medical records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I split a password-protected PDF?

First unlock the PDF, then split it. Password-protected PDFs can't be modified without the password.

Does splitting reduce file size?

Somewhat, but not proportionally. Shared resources (fonts, metadata) are included in each split file. Use Compress PDF after splitting.

Can I split a scanned PDF?

Yes! Scanned PDFs split the same way. Each page image is separated into its own file.

What's the maximum file size for splitting?

Since processing happens locally, there's no server-imposed limit. Your browser's memory is the only constraint (typically handles 100MB+ easily).

Can I split and keep the original?

Yes — splitting creates a NEW file. Your original PDF is never modified.

Start Splitting

Ready to split your PDF? Choose your method:

Split PDF — Split by page range

Extract Pages — Visual page selection

Organize PDF — Delete and reorder pages

Split PDF Free →