How to split a PDF into separate files
Updated 3 min readBy Total PDF Tools
Quick answer
To split a PDF, open the Split PDF tool, add your file and choose how to divide it: by page ranges (for example 1-3, 4-10), every N pages, or one file per page. You can also tick page thumbnails to choose pages visually. Click Split and download the parts individually or together as a ZIP. Pages are copied losslessly and nothing is uploaded.
Open Split PDFStep by step
- 1
Open Split PDF
Go to the Split PDF tool and add the PDF you want to divide.
- 2
Choose how to split
Enter page ranges such as 1-3, 4-10, 11- ("11-" means page 11 to the end), choose every N pages, one file per page, or tick the page thumbnails you want.
- 3
Split
Click Split. Each range becomes its own PDF, named after the original file and its page numbers.
- 4
Download
Download a single part or all parts at once as a ZIP archive.
Split vs Extract Pages vs Delete Pages
These three tools sound similar but give different results:
- Split PDF produces several files, one per range.
- Extract Pages produces one new file containing only the pages you pick, in the order you pick them.
- Delete Pages produces one file without the pages you remove.
Writing page ranges
Separate ranges with commas. A single number is one page, a dash makes a range, and an open-ended range like 10- runs to the last page. For example, 1, 2-5, 6- splits a document into three files: page 1, pages 2 to 5, and everything from page 6.
"Every N pages" is useful for fixed-length forms or batch scans, for example splitting a stack of two-page letters with N = 2.
Frequently asked questions
Does splitting reduce quality?
No. Pages are copied exactly, without re-compression, so each part looks identical to the original.
Can I split a PDF on my phone?
Yes. The tool works in mobile browsers, and the Total PDF Tools app for Android and iOS can split PDFs offline too.
How do I keep only certain pages in one file?
Use Extract Pages instead of Split. It saves the selected pages as a single new PDF.