Split PDF
Split a PDF by page ranges, by every N pages, or into one file per page.
Upload
Select or drag-and-drop your file.
Adjust
Choose your options — everything happens in your browser.
Download
Save the finished file instantly. No watermarks.
A 90-page PDF is rarely useful as a 90-page PDF. You usually need chapter two for a colleague, pages 40 to 55 for a client, or every page as its own file for an archive. PDFora's split tool breaks one PDF into several, and it gives you three ways to do it: every page as a separate PDF, custom page ranges you type in, or automatic chunks of every N pages.
Everything runs inside your browser. The file you split is opened and processed locally on your machine — it is never sent to a server, stored in a cloud bucket, or passed through anyone's queue. For legal bundles, HR paperwork, or anything else you'd rather not upload to a stranger's computer, that difference matters more than any other feature.
The tool is free, needs no signup, and adds no watermarks. When your split produces multiple files, they arrive packaged in a single ZIP so you get one tidy download instead of a dozen. Use it once or a hundred times; there is no counter running.
How to split a PDF online
- Go to the Split PDF tool on getpdfora.com and select or drag in your PDF.
- Pick a split mode: every page as a separate PDF, custom ranges, or every N pages.
- For custom ranges, type them the way you'd say them — for example 1-3, 4-6 creates two files.
- For fixed chunks, enter the number of pages per file, such as 10, and the tool divides the document automatically.
- Click Split. Your browser cuts the PDF locally in moments.
- Download the ZIP file containing all the resulting PDFs and extract it anywhere.
When to use this tool
- Break a scanned batch of signed forms into one PDF per form before filing them.
- Split a textbook or course reader by chapter so students download only what they need.
- Divide a long board pack so each department receives just its own section.
- Cut a bank statement export into monthly files for bookkeeping software that expects one statement at a time.
- Separate a conference proceedings PDF into individual papers for citation and sharing.
- Chop a large report into 10-page chunks to get past an email attachment size limit.
Tips for the best results
- Skim the PDF and note the page numbers where sections begin before typing your ranges — it saves a second pass.
- Ranges can be uneven: 1-3, 4-6, 7-20 is perfectly valid if your sections differ in length.
- Choose the every-N-pages mode when the structure is regular, like duplicated forms or fixed-length statements.
- If you only need one section rather than all of them, the Extract Pages tool is quicker than splitting everything.
- Splitting a very long scanned document takes memory on your device, so give it a moment on older machines.
Frequently asked questions
How do I split a PDF into separate pages?
Choose the mode that saves every page as its own PDF, then click Split. A 30-page document becomes 30 individual files, delivered together in one ZIP download.
Can I split by custom page ranges?
Yes. Type ranges like 1-3, 4-6 and each range becomes its own PDF. You can define as many ranges as you like, and they don't have to be the same length.
Why do my results download as a ZIP file?
Splitting usually creates several PDFs at once, and a ZIP keeps them in one organized download instead of triggering dozens of separate saves. Unzip it and every PDF is inside, named in order.
Is my document uploaded when I split it?
No. PDFora processes the file locally in your browser, so the PDF never leaves your device. That makes it safe for confidential material like contracts and personnel files.
Is there a file size limit for splitting?
There's no imposed limit. Since your own device does the processing, very large files depend on your available memory — most documents split in seconds, while huge scanned volumes may take longer.
Does splitting reduce the quality of my PDF?
No. The pages are copied into the new files exactly as they are, with no recompression. Text stays sharp and searchable, and images keep their original resolution.