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Complete Guide Updated: January 2025 10 min read

How to Delete Pages from PDF: Complete Guide (2025)

To delete pages from a PDF, open your document in a PDF editor, select the pages you want to remove, and click delete. The fastest free method is using a browser-based tool like RaptorPDF's Delete PDF Pages, which processes files locally without uploading them to any server. Simply drag your PDF, click the pages to remove, and download your cleaned file in seconds. This guide covers all methods including online tools, Adobe Acrobat, Preview on Mac, and Microsoft Edge.

In This Guide

Quick Steps: Delete PDF Pages in 3 Steps

Need to remove pages from your PDF right now? Here's the fastest method using a free online tool:

1 Upload Your PDF

Go to RaptorPDF's Delete PDF Pages tool. Drag and drop your PDF file onto the upload area, or click to browse your files. Your PDF loads instantly in the browser - no upload to external servers.

2 Select Pages to Delete

All pages appear as thumbnails. Click on any page you want to remove - it will be highlighted. To select multiple pages, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) while clicking. You can also enter page ranges like "1-5, 10, 15-20" for quick selection.

3 Delete and Download

Click the Delete button to remove selected pages. Preview the result to make sure you're happy with it. Then click Download to save your cleaned PDF. The original quality of remaining pages is fully preserved.

Delete PDF Pages Now - Free

No signup required. No watermarks. Your files stay private.

Open Delete PDF Pages Tool

Why You Might Need to Remove PDF Pages

There are many legitimate reasons why you'd want to delete pages from a PDF document. Understanding your specific use case helps you choose the right tool and approach:

Method 1: Delete PDF Pages Online (Free)

Browser-based PDF tools offer the fastest and most convenient way to remove pages from PDFs. No software installation required, and the best ones process files locally for complete privacy.

Using RaptorPDF (Recommended)

RaptorPDF's delete pages tool works entirely in your browser. Your PDF never leaves your device, making it ideal for sensitive documents.

  1. Open RaptorPDF Delete PDF Pages
  2. Drag your PDF onto the page or click to upload
  3. Click on page thumbnails to select pages for deletion
  4. Click "Delete Selected" then "Download"

Advantages

  • 100% free, no signup
  • Files processed locally (private)
  • No watermarks on output
  • Works on any device
  • No software to install

Limitations

  • Free tier: 10MB file limit
  • Requires internet connection
  • Large files may be slower

Privacy Tip: Always check whether an online PDF tool uploads your files to their servers. RaptorPDF processes everything locally in your browser - your files never leave your computer.

Method 2: Using Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is the industry-standard PDF editor, but it requires a paid subscription. If you already have Acrobat Pro or Acrobat DC, here's how to delete pages:

Adobe Acrobat Pro/DC Steps

  1. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat
  2. Go to Tools > Organize Pages (or View > Page Thumbnails)
  3. Select the pages you want to delete by clicking on their thumbnails
  4. Click the Delete icon (trash can) in the toolbar
  5. Confirm deletion and save your document

Advantages

  • Professional-grade tool
  • Works offline
  • Advanced page organization
  • Batch processing available

Limitations

  • Expensive ($22.99/month)
  • Requires installation
  • Overkill for simple tasks
  • Free Reader can't delete pages

Adobe Acrobat Reader (the free version) cannot delete pages - you need Acrobat Pro or Acrobat DC, which starts at $22.99/month. For occasional page deletion, a free online tool is more practical.

Method 3: Using Preview on Mac

Mac users have a built-in option: Preview, Apple's default PDF and image viewer, can delete pages from PDFs without any additional software.

Preview (macOS) Steps

  1. Open your PDF in Preview (right-click > Open With > Preview)
  2. Go to View > Thumbnails to show the sidebar
  3. Click on the page(s) you want to delete in the sidebar
  4. Press Delete on your keyboard, or go to Edit > Delete
  5. Save the file (Cmd + S) or export as a new PDF

Advantages

  • Free (built into macOS)
  • No internet needed
  • Simple and fast
  • No watermarks

Limitations

  • Mac only
  • Limited features
  • No batch processing
  • Can corrupt complex PDFs

Warning: Preview can sometimes cause issues with complex PDFs that have advanced features like form fields or embedded multimedia. For important documents, consider using a dedicated PDF tool.

Method 4: Using Microsoft Edge

Windows users can use Microsoft Edge's built-in PDF viewer to delete pages. This is a lesser-known feature that works well for basic page deletion.

Microsoft Edge Steps

  1. Open your PDF in Microsoft Edge (drag the file onto Edge or right-click > Open with > Edge)
  2. Click the Page view icon in the toolbar to show thumbnails
  3. Right-click on the page you want to delete
  4. Select Delete page from the context menu
  5. Click Save or Save as to keep your changes

Advantages

  • Free (comes with Windows)
  • No installation needed
  • Works offline

Limitations

  • Windows/Edge only
  • Can only delete one page at a time
  • Limited PDF editing features
  • Not available in older Edge versions

How to Delete Blank Pages from PDF

Blank pages are a common annoyance, especially in scanned documents. Here's how to efficiently remove them:

Manual Method

  1. Open your PDF in any tool that shows page thumbnails
  2. Scroll through thumbnails to visually identify blank pages
  3. Select all blank pages (use Ctrl/Cmd + click for multiple selection)
  4. Delete them in one action

Tips for Identifying Blank Pages

Pro Tip: When scanning multi-page documents, enable "Skip blank pages" in your scanner settings to prevent blank pages from being included in the first place.

How to Remove Multiple Pages at Once

When you need to delete many pages, efficiency matters. Here are the best approaches:

Using Page Ranges

Most PDF tools let you specify page ranges for quick selection. Common formats include:

Keyboard Shortcuts

Alternative Approach: If you want to keep only a few pages and delete most of the document, it's often faster to extract the pages you want into a new PDF rather than deleting everything else.

Tool Comparison: Which Method is Best?

Here's how the different PDF page deletion methods compare:

Feature RaptorPDF Adobe Acrobat Preview (Mac) Edge
Price Free $22.99/mo Free Free
Works Online Optional
No Installation
Multi-Page Select
Page Ranges
Privacy (Local)
No Watermarks
Cross-Platform Mac only Windows
Best For Most users Power users Mac users Quick edits

Why RaptorPDF for PDF Page Deletion

RaptorPDF is designed with both simplicity and privacy in mind. Here's what makes it stand out for deleting PDF pages:

Ready to Delete Those Unwanted Pages?

Try the free Delete PDF Pages tool now. No signup, no watermarks, complete privacy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete pages from a PDF for free?

Yes, you can delete pages from PDF files completely free using browser-based tools like RaptorPDF, Preview on Mac, or Microsoft Edge. These tools don't require any payment or subscription. Free tools typically support files up to 10-25MB without limitations.

How do I remove specific pages from a PDF?

Upload your PDF to a PDF editor that shows page thumbnails. Click on the specific pages you want to remove - they'll be highlighted. Then click the delete button. Most tools let you select multiple pages by holding Ctrl/Cmd or by entering page ranges like "1-3, 7, 10-15".

How do I delete blank pages from a scanned PDF?

Open your scanned PDF in a tool that displays page thumbnails. Blank pages are usually easy to spot as mostly white thumbnails. Select all the blank pages and delete them at once. For future scans, enable "Skip blank pages" in your scanner settings to prevent this issue.

Will deleting pages reduce my PDF file size?

Yes, removing pages reduces the overall file size. The reduction is proportional to the content on deleted pages - removing image-heavy pages will have more impact than removing text-only pages. For maximum size reduction, use a dedicated PDF compression tool after deletion.

Can I undo after deleting PDF pages?

In most PDF editors, you can undo deletions before saving or downloading the final file. However, once you save and close the file, changes are permanent. Always keep a backup of your original PDF before making any modifications.

Is it safe to delete PDF pages using online tools?

Safety depends on the tool you choose. RaptorPDF processes files entirely in your browser - your PDF never leaves your device, providing maximum security. Other online tools may upload files to their servers. Always check the privacy policy before using any online tool with sensitive documents.