ToolHub

PDF Split

Extract pages or split PDFs into parts

Drop a PDF to split

Supports: APPLICATION/PDF

Overview

Split a PDF into pages or page ranges

Splitting a PDF means extracting one or more pages from a source document and saving them as separate files. It is the opposite operation of merging. The most common reasons to split are: pulling a single page out of a long report, separating chapters into their own files for distribution, removing pages you do not want to share, or breaking a large PDF into smaller chunks that fit upload limits.

ToolHub PDF Split runs entirely in your browser. The source PDF never leaves your device. You can extract custom ranges with a simple syntax like 1-3, 5, 7-9 or split into one file per page with a single click.

Step-by-step

How to split a PDF

  1. 1

    Drop in your PDF

    Upload a single PDF. The page count is read locally and shown so you know what range you are working with.
  2. 2

    Pick a split mode

    Custom ranges lets you extract specific pages or ranges into separate files. Every page splits the document into one file per page automatically.
  3. 3

    Define your ranges

    For custom mode, type comma-separated tokens. 1-3 extracts pages 1, 2, and 3 into one file. 5 extracts page 5 alone. 1-3, 5, 7-9 creates three separate output files.
  4. 4

    Download

    Single output downloads instantly. Multiple outputs are bundled into a ZIP file with descriptive names like document-pages-1-3.pdf.

Range syntax shortcut

You can mix single pages and ranges in any order. Each comma-separated group becomes its own output file, so you have full control over how the source PDF is broken up.

Background

Split modes explained

Custom ranges

Use this when you know exactly which pages you want. Useful for extracting a chapter (pages 23 to 67), pulling out an appendix (pages 100 to 110), or cherry-picking specific pages from a long document. Every comma-separated group becomes one output PDF.

Every page

Use this when you want to break a PDF into its individual pages. Common when you receive a multi-page scan and need each page as its own file for tagging, archiving, or sharing.

Use cases

When to split a PDF

Sharing a single page from a long document

Pull out the page you actually need to send instead of forwarding the whole 50-page report.

Removing sensitive pages before sharing

Extract only the pages safe to share. The rest stays private with you.

Fitting upload size limits

If a PDF is too large to upload to a portal, split it into smaller files that each fit within the limit.

Separating receipts or invoices

If you scanned all of January's receipts as one PDF, split into individual files for accounting.

Distributing chapters of a book or guide

Authors and educators often share specific chapters instead of the entire document.

Submitting forms with mixed pages

Some online forms require each section as a separate upload. Split a single source file to comply.

Common questions

What if I enter an invalid range?

The splitter validates your input live. If you ask for a page that does not exist (like page 50 of a 30-page document), or use invalid syntax, you get an inline error message before any processing starts. Nothing is split until the input is valid.

Will form fields and links survive splitting?

Yes for most cases. Pages are copied with their content intact including embedded forms, fonts, and links. Cross-page links that point to a page not included in the output will simply do nothing when clicked.

Can I split a password-protected PDF?

Not directly. You need to remove the password first using your PDF reader, then split the unlocked copy.

What naming pattern do output files use?

Single page outputs are named like filename-page-5.pdf. Range outputs use filename-pages-1-3.pdf. This makes it easy to identify each part later.

100% private

Privacy and security

PDFs are processed locally

The splitter uses pdf-lib running entirely in your browser. Your PDF is never uploaded. The ZIP bundling uses JSZip, also browser-based. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and the tool will still work.

Related tools

Quick steps

1

Drop a PDF

Upload any PDF. We read the page count locally so you know what you're working with.

2

Pick a mode

Custom ranges to extract specific pages, or 'Every page' to split into one file per page.

3

Download

Single output downloads instantly. Multiple outputs are bundled into a ZIP.

Frequently asked questions

How do page ranges work?

Use comma-separated tokens. '1-3' extracts pages 1, 2, 3 into one file. '1-3, 5, 7-9' makes three separate files. Single numbers create single-page files.

Are the original PDF and pages uploaded?

No. Splitting happens entirely in your browser using pdf-lib. Nothing is uploaded.

Will it preserve formatting?

Yes — pdf-lib copies pages with content, links, and most metadata intact.