PilotPDF
Back to Tools

Split a PDF into Separate Files

Give every page its own file, cut the PDF into equal parts, or type the ranges you want. The previews show which file each page goes into.

How to split a PDF

  1. 1

    Choose your PDF

    Pick the file you want to split. It opens for the current task, and you'll see a preview of every page.

  2. 2

    Pick how to split it

    Save every page on its own, cut the PDF into equal parts, type your own ranges, or pick pages to copy into one new file. Each page preview is coloured to show which new file it goes into.

  3. 3

    Split and download

    Click Split PDF. You'll get one PDF, or a ZIP with all the new files if there's more than one.

Which way to split?

Every page is handy when you've scanned a pile of separate documents in one go, like receipts or letters, and want each one as its own file.

Every few pages suits documents that repeat a fixed length, such as a batch of 2-page forms or a set of 4-page reports saved together. Enter the number of pages in each part and the last file simply gets whatever is left.

Custom ranges are best when the sections differ in length: 1-3 for the cover letter, 4-12 for the contract, 13- for the appendix. Pick pages is for pulling out a few pages, like the signature page and the summary, into one new PDF.

Good to know

Splitting makes copies of your pages. The original PDF isn't changed, and each page keeps its size, so a document that mixes A4 and landscape pages splits cleanly.

Links inside the document, bookmarks and form fields may not work in the new files if they pointed to pages that ended up in a different file. It's worth opening the results and checking anything important before you send them on.

Splitting separates whole pages. To cut each page down the middle, like a scanned book spread, use Split PDF Pages in Half instead.

From the blog

Your files are never retained by PilotPDF

PilotPDF does not keep copies of your original files, completed files, passwords, or document contents after processing.

Read our privacy policy for details about analytics and data handling.

Related tools

Merge PDF

Put PDFs back together in any order.

Delete PDF Pages

Remove pages instead of splitting the file.

Rearrange PDF Pages

Change the page order before you split.

Split PDF Pages in Half

Cut two-page spreads or scanned book pages down the middle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose your PDF, then pick how to split it: every page, every few pages, custom ranges, or pick pages. The page previews show which file each page will go into. Click Split PDF and download the result.
Yes. Choose Every page. A 10-page PDF becomes 10 separate PDFs, downloaded together in one ZIP file.
Choose Every few pages and enter how many pages each file should have. With 2, a 7-page PDF becomes pages 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7.
Choose Custom ranges and separate each file with a comma, like 1-3, 4-10, 11-. Each range becomes its own PDF, and 11- means page 11 to the end.
Yes. Choose Pick pages and type the pages you want, like 1, 3, 5-8. They're saved together as one PDF, in page order.
When the split makes more than one PDF, they come in one ZIP so you only have to download once. If the result is a single PDF, you get the PDF itself.
They're named after your file and their pages, like report_pages_1-3.pdf or report_page_7.pdf, so you can tell them apart.
No. The split makes new copies of the pages and leaves your original file exactly as it was.
Remove the password first with Unlock PDF, then split it.
No. The PDF is split online. Nothing is sent to us or anyone else.