One document into focused files
Extract only the pages needed for a client, class packet, or archive folder.
Split PDF
Split one PDF into multiple files by page range, extract specific pages into a single PDF, or break every page into its own file. Custom filenames and ZIP download.
Read the full guide1. Select PDF
Drag and drop your PDF here
or click to browse
Used for ZIP filename and per-file names when individual filenames are blank.
Supported: PDF · Max 200 MB.
2. Split Settings
0 ranges
No ranges yet. Click Add range below.
Tip: Drag and drop ranges to reorder them. Reordering does not change the source pages, only the output filenames inherit the new order.
Preview
Load a PDF to preview pages here
Each tile shows its page number and the range it belongs to.
Output: 0 files.
Split PDF breaks one source PDF into multiple smaller PDFs directly in your browser. It uses pdf-lib for assembly and PDF.js for thumbnail rendering, so your file is never uploaded. The tool offers three split methods to cover the most common scenarios: split by range, extract specific pages, and split every page into its own file.
What it does
Each output file is a self-contained PDF that preserves selectable text, embedded fonts, and images from the source. When the result contains more than one file, the tool packages everything into a single ZIP archive for a one-click download.
Who it is for
- Office staff splitting reports into chapters or sending only the relevant pages of a contract.
- Students extracting figures or specific exercises from textbooks.
- Designers and printers separating cover, content, and annex into separate plates.
- Lawyers, auditors, and HR teams isolating a single record from a multi-record export.
When and where to use it
Use it whenever a recipient needs only part of a PDF, when a file is too big to email, or when archives require chapter-by-chapter splits. The tool runs at /split-pdf in any modern browser. The 200 MB upload cap covers most reports; for huge documents, prefer a desktop browser to avoid mobile memory limits.
Why use a browser-side splitter
Cloud splitters upload your files and may rasterise them, breaking selectable text. This tool processes the document locally with pdf-lib's page copy primitives, keeping selectable text and embedded resources untouched. No upload. No watermark.
How to split a PDF
- Drop the PDF, click Upload PDF, or fetch one from a URL.
- Pick a split method: Split by range, Extract pages, or Split by every page.
- For range splits, configure the from/to numbers and filename for each row, drag rows to reorder, and click Add range for more.
- For extract, type pages like 1,3,5-8,10 or use the preview checkboxes.
- Optionally restrict the source to a custom range (Pages to split → Custom range).
- Click Preview PDF to inspect the first output, then Split PDF to download. Multi-file outputs arrive as a ZIP.
Every control, explained
1. Select PDF
- Upload PDF: opens a file picker for a single PDF.
- From URL: opens a popover to paste a PDF URL (CORS required).
- Drag and drop: drag a PDF from your OS file manager.
- Pages to split: choose All pages or Custom range to restrict the source pool used by the chosen split method.
- Output base name: stem used for ZIP filename and per-file names when individual filenames are blank.
2. Split Settings
- Split by range: define one or many page ranges. Each range becomes a separate output file with its own filename.
- Extract pages: produces a single PDF that contains only the pages you select via expression or checkboxes.
- Split by every page: produces N single-page PDFs (one per source page) and packages them in a ZIP.
- Add range: appends a new range row, defaulting to the next unused page.
- Drag handle on each range row: reorder ranges; the new order drives ZIP file order.
3. Preview
- Range badges: each tile shows which range owns the page (color-coded).
- Extract checkboxes: visible only in extract mode, mark which pages go into the single output.
- Grid / List view: toggle between thumbnail grid and compact list.
- Pagination: shows 12, 24, 48, or 96 thumbnails per bucket with arrows for navigation.
- Reset: restores the default split settings (3 even ranges, all pages selected).
- Preview PDF: opens a slide-over preview of the first output file.
- Split PDF: builds the outputs and downloads either a single PDF or a ZIP of all results.
Practical tips
- Use Custom range on the left to ignore intro or appendix pages before splitting.
- For large books, split-every-page can produce hundreds of small PDFs. Combine with custom range to scope the export and keep the ZIP small.
- Range filenames automatically receive the .pdf extension, but you can leave them blank — the output base name takes over.
- Preview before downloading so you can verify the first output without spending time on the full ZIP.
Is this Split PDF tool free and private?
Yes. The split runs locally with pdf-lib and the Canvas API for thumbnails. Files are never uploaded, there are no watermarks, and no account is required.
How big can the input PDF be?
The current cap is 200 MB. Very large books can be slow to render thumbnails on mobile devices; prefer a desktop browser when possible.
Will text and links remain selectable?
Yes. pdf-lib copies pages directly without rasterising. Selectable text, vector graphics, embedded fonts, and links are preserved.
What happens with overlapping ranges?
Each range produces its own output file independently, so overlapping pages can appear in multiple outputs. Use the preview tiles to spot overlaps before downloading.
Can I rename the outputs after splitting?
Yes. Each range row has its own filename input. When the field is blank, the output base name is used with an auto-incrementing suffix.
Does it work with password-protected PDFs?
Encrypted PDFs cannot be split until they are unlocked. Remove the password in another viewer and try again.
Practical guide
A long PDF is rarely meant for one audience from start to finish. Appkiro's Split PDF tool lets you separate chapters, extract signed pages, or create one PDF per page in your browser. After you pull out the pages that matter, you can merge selected pages into a smaller packet when the final order needs to change.
Example preview
Visual examples show the kind of input and output this tool is designed around.
Where this fits
Send only the pages a recipient needs
A contract, report, or application packet may contain private or irrelevant sections. Extract just the signed page, invoice, appendix, or approval sheet while keeping the original document unchanged.
Turn one scanned packet into clean sections
Scans often arrive as one long file with covers, receipts, forms, and notes mixed together. If any pages are sideways, fix page orientation before splitting so each output file is easier to review.
Create per-page files for review or archiving
Split every page when reviewers, OCR tools, production folders, or record systems expect individual PDFs instead of one combined document.
How to use Split PDF
- 1Add the source PDFUpload the document, drop it onto the page, or fetch it from a URL if the file can be loaded by your browser.
- 2Choose the split methodUse page ranges for separate sections, extract pages for one custom PDF, or split every page when each page needs its own file.
- 3Review page numbers and thumbnailsCheck the preview before exporting so you can catch skipped pages, reversed ranges, or accidental overlaps.
- 4Name the outputsUse short filenames that still make sense after download, such as contract-signature.pdf or chapter-03.pdf.
- 5Download the resultSave the single extracted PDF, or download a ZIP when the split creates multiple files.
Practical notes
Write ranges down before exporting
For long PDFs, review the source once and note ranges like 1-3, 8, 12-16 before you build the outputs. This is faster than discovering a missing page after downloading the ZIP.
Use custom range to keep large jobs manageable
When a document has hundreds of pages, restrict the source range first. It reduces thumbnail work in the browser and helps avoid generating more files than you actually need.
Rebuild from images only when needed
If the extracted pages need to sit beside screenshots, scans, or photographed receipts, build a new PDF from images can be a cleaner next step than editing the original document.
PDF splitting workflow
A cleaner split starts with review, not export. Decide what each output should contain, fix obvious page issues, then download files with names that explain their purpose.
- 1
Review page numbers and orientation
- 2
Rotate PDF
Use when scans are sideways or upside down.
- 3
Split by range or extract pages
- 4
Merge PDF
Use when extracted sections need a new custom order.
Questions worth checking
What is the difference between page ranges and extracted pages?
Page ranges create separate output files for each range, such as one file for pages 1-5 and another for pages 6-10. Extracted pages create one PDF from the pages you choose, even when they come from different parts of the source.
Will the original PDF be changed?
No. Splitting creates new output files. Keep the source PDF as your reference in case you need to adjust the ranges and export again.
Why does the tool sometimes download a ZIP?
When a split produces multiple files, a ZIP keeps them together and prevents the browser from starting many separate downloads.
What should I check before sharing a split PDF?
Open the exported file and confirm the page count, page order, orientation, and filename. This is especially important for contracts, school records, invoices, and scanned forms.
Can a page appear in more than one output file?
Yes. If ranges overlap, the same page can appear in multiple outputs. That can be useful for shared cover pages, but it is worth checking in the preview before download.
Workflow links
Related tools
Merge PDFCombine multiple PDF files into a single document. Drag to reorder, choose page size, orientation, margins, and optionally insert blank pages between files.
Rotate PDFRotate PDF pages 90, 180, or 270 degrees. Apply to all pages, a range, or hand-pick pages, then download the rotated PDF without re-uploading.
Images to PDFConvert JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, and TIFF images into a single PDF with custom page size, margins, layout templates, and metadata directly in your browser.