Files & Images Runs locally Ready to use Built-in examples No tracking

PDF Split

Split PDFs locally by page ranges like 1-3,5: extract single pages, ranges, step lists or reversed ranges into a new file, with the original untouched.

Submitting only part of a document, or keeping one chapter as a file of its own — this tool splits a PDF by page range in the browser: a single page (5), a contiguous run (1-3), a step list (2,4,6) or a reversed run (8-6, read backwards) can all be typed, and the result downloads in one click. The original file is not touched, page resources are moved as they are, and nothing is recompressed.

On conventions: pages are numbered from 1 and typed as the reader displays them, and asking for a page that does not exist is reported as an error rather than silently truncated. A PDF with an open password cannot be parsed, though a permissions password does not interfere. One file is produced per run, so splitting page by page means extracting single pages in turn and reassembling them afterwards however you like.

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How to use

  1. Load the PDF to split.
  2. Enter the page ranges — 5, 1-3, 2,4,6, or 8-6 for a reversed run.
  3. Check the plan, then extract and download.
  4. Repeat with single pages for a page-by-page split.

How it works

Page-range syntax

After choosing a PDF, fill the range box: a single page as 5, consecutive as 1-3, skipped as 2,4,6, mixed as 1,3,5-7, and reversed ranges as 8-6 (auto-flipped to 6-8). Press extract to generate and download the new file.

The original file is safe

It doesn't. Extraction produces a brand-new PDF — the original stays on disk byte-for-byte; changes to the original belong in its source software.

One output per extraction

The current version outputs one file containing the selected pages; to split 10 pages into 10 singles, extract one page at a time. Multi-file batch output is planned.

Extraction is lossless

It doesn't affect anything. Pages and their resources move as the PDF spec dictates — vector text, image resolution and embedded fonts stay intact, so extracted pages print and read exactly like the original.

Code example

JavaScript Extract a page-range subset 

import { PDFDocument } from 'pdf-lib';

// range syntax: 1-3, 5, 8-10 - parse into zero-based indices, then pick the pages
async function split(file, rangeText) {
  const src = await PDFDocument.load(await file.arrayBuffer());
  const indices = parseRanges(rangeText, src.getPageCount());
  const out = await PDFDocument.create();
  const pages = await out.copyPages(src, indices);
  pages.forEach((p) => out.addPage(p));
  return out.save();
}
// '1-3,5' -> [0,1,2,4]
function parseRanges(text, total) {
  const idx = [];
  for (const part of text.split(',')) {
    const [a, b] = part.trim().split('-').map(Number);
    for (let i = a; i <= (b || a); i++) { if (i >= 1 && i <= total) { idx.push(i - 1); } }
  }
  return idx;
}

Shell Splitting with qpdf 

# keep pages 1-3
qpdf input.pdf --pages . 1-3 -- out.pdf

# keep page 1 and page 5 (repeated --pages concatenates in order)
qpdf input.pdf --pages . 1,5 -- out.pdf

# split into single pages (writes out-01.pdf, out-02.pdf ...)
qpdf --split-pages input.pdf out.pdf

FAQ

Is there shorthand for page ranges?

Four rules: a single page is just the number (5); consecutive ranges use a hyphen (1-3); skipped pages use commas (2,4,6); reversed ranges flip automatically (8-6 processed as 6-8). Combine freely, using the page numbers your reader displays.

Are files uploaded when splitting?

No. Parsing, extraction, generation and download all happen in the browser — fully local like the merge tool, so sensitive material is safe.

What if I enter a page that doesn't exist?

A clear error names the valid range — no silent truncation. Enter 15 on a 12-page document and it reports out of range; correct and retry.

Can encrypted PDFs be split?

Not with an open password — the browser can't read the contents; permission passwords restricting editing/printing don't block splitting. Remove the open password locally first.

Why can't some PDFs' page counts be read?

A few structurally damaged or non-standard PDFs fail to parse, and the page reports it clearly. Re-save or print-to-PDF from a reader to rebuild the file, then retry.

Can extracted files be merged back?

Yes — use the site's PDF merge tool; order follows your selection sequence. Repeated split-merge cycles lose no quality, since pages always move as-is.

Do page numbers start at 0 or 1?

At 1, matching everyday reading and common readers — no subtracting one; enter exactly the numbers you see on screen.