Split PDF
Split a PDF into separate files: by page ranges, every few pages, or by file size. Free and private.
Drag & drop a PDF file here
or browse
Split by
Each comma-separated range becomes its own PDF.
Want to pick pages by looking at them? Use Extract PDF Pages.
Split PDF breaks one PDF into several separate files: a long report into chapters, a scanned stack into individual documents, or a big file into parts small enough to email. Choose how to split it. Custom ranges makes one file per range you type, so 1-3, 4-8, 9 gives three PDFs. Every N pages cuts the document into equal parts, and setting it to 1 saves every page as its own PDF. By file size groups pages in order so no file goes over the size you set, which is handy when an email or upload form caps attachments.
When the split makes more than one file, they all download together in a single ZIP, named after the pages each one holds. Once your PDF is loaded, the tool shows how many files your settings will make before you process anything, so a typo in a range is easy to spot. Page numbers past the end of the document are ignored rather than causing an error.
Pages are copied straight out of the original, not re-rendered as images, so text stays sharp and selectable and links keep working. The original file is never changed. To pull a few pages into a single new PDF, type them as ranges and tick Put all ranges in one file, or use Extract PDF Pages to pick them by looking at thumbnails.
What you can do
- Custom ranges: each comma-separated range becomes its own PDF.
- Every N pages, including every page as a separate PDF.
- By file size: each part kept under a size you choose, pages in order.
- Several files arrive together in one ZIP, named by their pages.
- Pages are copied, not re-rendered, so text stays sharp and selectable.
How it works
- 1Drop your PDF onto the page.
- 2Choose Split by: Custom ranges, Every N pages or By file size.
- 3Type the ranges, the number of pages per file, or the largest file size.
- 4Check the preview of how many files it makes, then click Process File.
- 5Download the PDF, or the ZIP when there are several files.
Why use SmilingPDF for this
- Splits into many files in one go, with no need to run the tool once per range.
- Split by file size to fit email and upload limits, which many free splitters don't offer.
- Pages are copied directly from the source, keeping their original sharpness, selectable text and links.
- No watermark, no sign-up, and SmilingPDF imposes no page limit; the PDF never leaves your device.
Private by design
Your file stays on your device.
- No upload
- No server storage
- No account required
- Browser-based processing
- No watermark
This tool runs inside your browser tab. Your file is read from your device, processed there, and handed back as a download — it is never sent to a SmilingPDF server, so there is nothing for us to store, read, or lose. You can check for yourself: open your browser's developer tools, switch to the Network tab and run the tool. Like most sites, SmilingPDF uses Google Analytics to count visits and which tools are used; that never includes the contents of your files. The privacy policy lists everything the site does collect.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Got questions? We've got answers.
How do I split a PDF into separate files?
Drop your PDF, choose how to split it (each page, every few pages, your own ranges, or by file size) and click Process. Several files come back together in one ZIP.
Can I split a PDF into single pages?
Yes. Choose Every N pages and leave it at 1: every page becomes its own PDF.
How do custom ranges work?
Each comma-separated part becomes its own file: 1-3, 4-8, 9 makes three PDFs. Tick "Put all ranges in one file" to pull those pages into a single PDF instead.
How does splitting by file size work?
Pages are grouped in order so each file stays under the size you set, handy for email attachment limits. A single page that is larger than the limit on its own still gets a file of its own.
Will splitting reduce quality?
No. Pages are copied as they are, not turned into images, so text stays sharp and selectable and the original file is never changed.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The PDF is split in your browser and never leaves your device. SmilingPDF imposes no page limit.