To split a PDF file, upload your document to a PDF splitter tool, select the pages you want to extract, and download your new files. The fastest free method is using a browser-based tool like RaptorPDF's Split PDF, which processes files locally without uploading to any server. You can extract specific pages, divide by page ranges, or separate every page into individual files. This guide covers all methods including online tools, Adobe Acrobat, Preview on Mac, and command-line options.
Need to split a PDF right now? Here's the fastest method using a free online tool:
Go to RaptorPDF's Split PDF tool. Drag and drop your PDF file onto the upload area, or click to browse your files. Your document loads instantly with all pages visible as thumbnails.
Choose how you want to split: click individual pages to select them, enter page ranges (like 1-5, 10-15), or use "Split All" to separate every page. Selected pages are highlighted so you can see exactly what will be extracted.
Click Split to create your new PDF files. Download each file individually, or get all split files in a single ZIP archive. The original quality of all pages is fully preserved.
No signup required. No watermarks. Extract any pages you need.
Open Split PDF ToolThere are several approaches to splitting a PDF, depending on what you need:
The method you choose depends on your goal. If you need just a few pages, extraction is quickest. For dividing a long document into chapters, use page ranges. For complete separation, split every page into its own file.
Browser-based PDF tools offer the fastest and most convenient way to split documents. No software installation required, and the best tools process files locally for complete privacy.
RaptorPDF's split tool works entirely in your browser. Your PDF never leaves your device, making it ideal for sensitive documents like contracts or financial records.
Pro Tip: When splitting a large document into multiple sections, plan your page ranges first. Write down exactly which pages go into each output file to avoid mistakes.
Adobe Acrobat is the industry-standard PDF editor with comprehensive splitting capabilities. However, it requires a paid subscription ($22.99/month for Acrobat Pro).
Adobe Acrobat Reader (the free version) cannot split PDFs - you need Acrobat Pro or Acrobat DC. For occasional splitting, a free online tool is more practical.
Mac users can split PDFs using Preview, Apple's built-in PDF viewer. This method extracts pages by dragging thumbnails.
Note: Preview's drag-to-extract method creates a copy - your original PDF remains unchanged. This is a safety feature that prevents accidental data loss.
Windows doesn't have a built-in PDF splitter like Mac's Preview. Here are your options:
A workaround using the print function:
Repeat for each section you need. This method works but is tedious for multiple splits.
Applications like PDFsam (PDF Split and Merge) offer free PDF splitting on Windows. However, they require installation and may include ads.
For Windows users, online PDF splitters provide the best experience - no installation, works instantly, and handles all split scenarios.
Extracting specific pages means creating a new PDF containing only the pages you select. This is useful when you need just certain pages from a larger document.
Alternative Approach: If you want to remove a few pages rather than extract many, it might be easier to use a page deletion tool instead of extraction.
Splitting by range divides a document into multiple sections, each saved as a separate PDF. This is ideal for breaking up long documents into chapters or sections.
Most PDF splitters use this syntax for specifying ranges:
Let's say you have a 50-page report and want to split it into 5 sections:
Some tools offer automatic splitting every N pages. For example, "split every 5 pages" would create 10 files from a 50-page document, each containing 5 pages.
Here's how the different PDF splitting methods compare:
| Feature | RaptorPDF | Adobe Acrobat | Preview (Mac) | Print to PDF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $22.99/mo | |||
| Works Online | ||||
| No Installation | ||||
| Split by Range | ||||
| Split All Pages | ||||
| Preserves Quality | ||||
| Privacy (Local) | ||||
| Cross-Platform | ||||
| Best For | Most users | Power users | Quick Mac splits | Simple extracts |
RaptorPDF is designed with both simplicity and privacy in mind. Here's what makes it stand out for splitting PDF files:
Extract pages, divide by range, or separate into individual files. Free, private, no signup.
Split PDF Files FreeYes, you can split PDF files completely free using browser-based tools like RaptorPDF. No software installation, no signup, and no watermarks on the output files. Most free tools support splitting PDFs up to 50-100 pages.
Upload your PDF to a split tool, then select the specific pages you want by clicking on their thumbnails or entering page numbers. For example, type "1, 5, 10-15" to extract page 1, page 5, and pages 10 through 15. Click extract and download your new PDF containing only those pages.
Use the "Split All" or "Extract Each Page" option in your PDF splitter. This creates a separate PDF file for every page in your document. Most tools let you download all files in a convenient ZIP archive rather than downloading each one individually.
Yes, most PDF splitters let you specify page ranges like 1-10, 11-20, 21-30 to divide a document into sections. You can create multiple ranges to generate several output files at once. This is ideal for splitting a long document into chapters.
No, splitting a PDF does not reduce quality when using proper PDF tools. The pages are extracted exactly as they appear in the original document. Text remains sharp, images stay uncompressed, and formatting is preserved. Avoid "print to PDF" methods as they can sometimes affect quality.
Yes, if you know the password. When you upload a protected PDF, you'll be prompted to enter the password. Once unlocked, you can split the document normally. Without the password, the PDF's security prevents any modifications including splitting.