Split PDF
Extract specific page ranges or separate your PDF document into individual files directly in your browser with zero server uploads.
Selecting a file allows the browser to read it locally. Files are processed locally in your browser when using supported tools. No upload required for supported workflows.
Drag & drop files to begin
Select or drag multiple files from your device. Entirely processed locally in your browser memory.
Client-Side PDF Extraction and Page Splitting
Large multi-page PDF reports, legal agreements, and scanned packets often need to be divided into smaller sections or individual sheets before sharing. Split PDF isolates and extracts specific pages directly within your web browser, exporting your selection either as a consolidated standalone PDF (`<filename>-extracted.pdf`) or as individual single-page PDFs bundled in a downloadable ZIP archive (`<filename>-pages.zip`).
When a document is loaded, the validator verifies the `%PDF-` header, checks for encryption, and enforces a 100 MB client-side memory ceiling. A background Web Worker with `OffscreenCanvas` (falling back to main-thread canvas rendering when needed) generates interactive page thumbnails up to `200px` wide for the first 100 pages while you select pages by clicking cards, using `Quick Selectors` (`All`, `Odd Pages`, `Even Pages`, `Clear Selection`), or typing expressions in the `Page Range Syntax` field.
Page extraction copies only the page dictionaries and dependent resources (such as font descriptors, form XObjects, and embedded images) referenced by your selected pages and writes compressed PDF object streams. An `Extracted Pages Live Preview` panel lets you inspect the exact sequence of selected pages in real time before generating the final file.
Core Tool Capabilities
- Single PDF and Separate Pages (ZIP) Modes: Toggle between `Single PDF` mode to join all selected pages into one `<filename>-extracted.pdf` document, or `Separate Pages (ZIP)` mode to save each selected page as `<filename>-page-<N>.pdf`. When multiple pages are split individually, they are packaged into an uncompressed STORE ZIP archive with CRC-32 checksums, whereas a single selected page downloads directly as a standalone PDF.
- Bi-Directional Interactive Page Grid: Browse visual page thumbnails (rendered up to 100 pages at `200px` max width) and click any page card to toggle its selection state. Clicking thumbnails immediately updates the `Page Range Syntax` input string, and typing a range updates the grid highlights in real time.
- Range Syntax Parser and Quick Selectors: Enter individual pages (`5`), hyphenated spans (`1-4`), comma-separated combinations (`1-3, 5, 8-10`), or `all` with instant boundary validation and automatic ascending deduplication. One-click `Quick Selectors` let you target `All`, `Odd Pages`, `Even Pages`, or `Clear Selection`.
- Extracted Pages Live Preview: Inspect the selected pages in ascending output order inside the `Extracted Pages Live Preview` viewer below the thumbnail grid. This confirms that the targeted pages and page numbers match your intended document subset prior to extraction.
- Selective Resource Copying and Object Streams: Copies only the PDF objects required by the selected pages into a freshly initialized document structure and serializes output with PDF object streams enabled. Unused resources from excluded pages are omitted from the output file.
- Off-Main-Thread Thumbnail Rendering: Uses Web Workers and `OffscreenCanvas` where supported by the browser to rasterize page thumbnails without freezing the main UI thread, automatically falling back to frame-yielded main-thread canvas rendering.
Local Browser Privacy
Your files are processed locally on your device. Files are not uploaded, transmitted, or stored on remote servers.
Once the page has loaded, you can disconnect your network connection and continue using this tool offline.
Target Use Cases
- • Isolating Contract Exhibits and Signature Pages
- • Separating Batch Payroll and Tax Statements
- • Dividing Engineering and CAD Drawing Sets
- • Preparing Duplex Scan Batches with Odd and Even Filters
Technical Specifications & Platform Limits
Validates %PDF- header and rejects password-protected files over 100 MB.
Consolidated PDF output or individual per-page PDFs bundled in a STORE ZIP.
Automatically sorts and deduplicates selections in ascending page order.
Off-main-thread Web Worker rendering with main-thread canvas fallback.
All PDF parsing, page extraction, and ZIP archiving run in local browser memory.
Step-by-Step Workflow
Load a PDF Document
Drag and drop a PDF file (up to 100 MB) into the workspace dropzone, browse local storage, or load the built-in sample PDF.
Choose Extraction Mode
Select `Single PDF` to combine all chosen pages into one document, or `Separate Pages (ZIP)` to export each selected page as an isolated PDF file.
Select Target Pages
Type a range in the `Page Range Syntax` box (such as `1-3, 5, 8-10`), click `All`, `Odd Pages`, `Even Pages`, or `Clear Selection`, or click individual cards in the `Interactive Page Grid`.
Extract and Download
Review the `Extracted Pages Live Preview`, click `Extract <N> Pages` (or `Split into <N> Files (ZIP)`), and click `Download Extracted PDF` or `Download ZIP Archive`.
Practical Real-World Use Cases
Isolating Contract Exhibits and Signature Pages
Legal counsel and paralegals extracting signature blocks, fee schedules, or specific exhibits from multi-part agreements into a single standalone PDF for counterparty circulation.
Separating Batch Payroll and Tax Statements
Accounting teams splitting combined monthly pay statements, W-2 packets, or vendor invoices into individual per-page PDF files packaged in a ZIP archive.
Dividing Engineering and CAD Drawing Sets
Architects and civil engineers extracting specific discipline plan sheets from comprehensive drawing packages before sending files to subcontractors.
Preparing Duplex Scan Batches with Odd and Even Filters
Office administrators using the `Odd Pages` and `Even Pages` quick selectors to separate front-side and back-side sheets from single-sided document scanner batches.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are my PDF files uploaded to a remote server when splitting?
- No. All file validation, thumbnail rendering, page object copying, and ZIP archiving run locally inside your web browser with no server uploads.
- How does the Page Range Syntax field handle overlapping or out-of-order numbers?
- The parser accepts individual page numbers, hyphenated ranges (where the start page is less than or equal to the end page), or the keyword `all`, and automatically deduplicates and sorts the resulting pages in ascending order. To change the sequence of pages, use the PDF Page Reorder tool.
- What happens when I choose Separate Pages (ZIP) mode?
- If you select two or more pages, the tool saves each page as `<filename>-page-<N>.pdf` and bundles them into an uncompressed STORE ZIP archive named `<filename>-pages.zip`. If only one page is selected, it downloads that single `<filename>-page-<N>.pdf` file directly without creating a ZIP wrapper.
- Does splitting a PDF reduce text sharpness or image resolution?
- No. The engine copies the underlying PDF page dictionaries, vector paths, embedded fonts, and image streams directly into the new document without re-rasterizing page content.
- What are the file size and page count limits?
- The validator enforces a 100 MB maximum file size and requires unencrypted PDFs (password-protected files must be unlocked first with the PDF Unlocker tool). For documents exceeding 100 pages, visual thumbnail rendering is capped at the first 100 pages to conserve memory, while pages beyond 100 remain selectable via range syntax or numbered grid cards.
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