How to Split a PDF Into Separate Files (5 Free Methods)

Need to split a PDF into separate files but don't want to pay for Adobe Acrobat? You're in the right place.

Whether you need to extract specific pages from a contract, break a textbook into chapters, or split a large report for email attachments, there are several free ways to do it.

In this guide, I'll walk you through 5 proven methods to split PDF files - from browser-based tools to offline software. Each method has its pros and cons, so pick the one that works best for your situation.

Why Would You Need to Split a PDF?

Before we dive into the how-to, here are common scenarios where splitting PDFs saves time:

• Extract specific pages - Pull out just the pages you need from a large document
• Share chapters separately - Send different sections of a report to different team members
• Meet email size limits - Break large PDFs into smaller files for email attachments
• Archive documents - Separate invoices or contracts into individual files for organization
• Print specific sections - Only print the pages you actually need

Now let's look at the methods.

Method 1: Split PDF Online (No Software Required)

Best for: Quick one-time splits, no software installation needed

The fastest way to split a PDF is using a free online tool. Here's how to do it with Edesy's free PDF splitter:

Step-by-Step:

1. Go to edesy.in/tools/split-pdf
2. Upload your PDF by clicking the upload area or dragging your file
3. Choose your split method:
   • Page range - Enter ranges like "1-5, 10-15" to extract specific sections
   • Every N pages - Automatically split into equal chunks (e.g., every 10 pages)
   • Specific pages - Extract individual pages like "1, 3, 7, 12"
4. Click "Split PDF" and download your files

Why this method is secure: Unlike most online tools, Edesy's PDF splitter processes files entirely in your browser. Your PDF never gets uploaded to any server - it stays on your device. This makes it ideal for confidential documents.

Pros:

• No software installation needed
• Works on any device (Windows, Mac, Linux, phone)
• 100% private - files never leave your device
• Free with no signup required

Cons:

• Requires internet connection
• Very large files (100MB+) may be slow depending on your device

Method 2: Using Preview on Mac

Best for: Mac users who need a quick split without internet

If you're on a Mac, you already have a PDF splitter built in - it's called Preview.

Step-by-Step:

1. Open your PDF in Preview (right-click > Open With > Preview)
2. Show thumbnails - Go to View > Thumbnails (or press Cmd + Option + 2)
3. Select the pages you want to extract:
   • Click a page thumbnail to select it
   • Cmd + Click to select multiple non-consecutive pages
   • Shift + Click to select a range
4. Drag the selected pages to your Desktop or a folder
   • This creates a new PDF with only those pages

Pros:

• Built into macOS - no download needed
• Works offline
• Simple drag-and-drop interface

Cons:

• Mac only
• Can be tedious for splitting into many files
• No batch processing

Method 3: Using Google Chrome

Best for: Anyone with Chrome who needs to extract a page range

Chrome's built-in PDF viewer can split PDFs using the print function. It's a bit of a workaround, but it works.

Step-by-Step:

1. Open your PDF in Chrome (drag it into a browser tab)
2. Press Ctrl + P (or Cmd + P on Mac) to open Print
3. Change destination to "Save as PDF"
4. In Pages, change from "All" to "Custom"
5. Enter the pages you want (e.g., "1-5" or "1, 3, 7-10")
6. Click Save and choose where to save the new PDF

Pros:

• Works on any operating system
• No extensions or software needed
• Good for extracting a single range

Cons:

• Can only extract one range at a time
• Loses some metadata and formatting
• Tedious for multiple splits

Method 4: Using Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free Version Workaround)

Best for: Users who already have Adobe Reader installed

While Adobe Reader doesn't have a split function in the free version, you can use the print workaround (similar to Chrome):

Step-by-Step:

1. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader
2. Go to File > Print (or press Ctrl/Cmd + P)
3. Select "Microsoft Print to PDF" (Windows) or "Save as PDF" (Mac)
4. Under Pages, select "Custom"
5. Enter your page range (e.g., "5-10")
6. Click Print and save the new file

Pros:

• Uses software many people already have
• Reliable PDF output

Cons:

• Same limitations as the Chrome method
• Adobe Reader is bloated for this simple task
• Paid version ($15/month) is needed for native splitting

Method 5: Using Python (For Technical Users)

Best for: Developers or anyone comfortable with command line who needs to split many PDFs

If you need to split PDFs regularly or process many files, a simple Python script is the most efficient approach.

Prerequisites:

pip install PyPDF2

Script to Split PDF:

from PyPDF2 import PdfReader, PdfWriter
 
def split_pdf(input_path, page_ranges):
    """
    Split a PDF into multiple files based on page ranges.
 
    page_ranges: list of tuples, e.g., [(1, 5), (6, 10)]
    """
    reader = PdfReader(input_path)
 
    for i, (start, end) in enumerate(page_ranges):
        writer = PdfWriter()
 
        # Page numbers in PyPDF2 are 0-indexed
        for page_num in range(start - 1, end):
            writer.add_page(reader.pages[page_num])
 
        output_path = f"split_{i + 1}_pages_{start}-{end}.pdf"
        with open(output_path, 'wb') as output_file:
            writer.write(output_file)
 
        print(f"Created: {output_path}")
 
# Example usage
split_pdf("document.pdf", [(1, 5), (6, 10), (11, 15)])

Pros:

• Can process thousands of files automatically
• Highly customizable
• Works offline

Cons:

• Requires Python knowledge
• Overkill for one-time splits

Which Method Should You Use?

Here's a quick decision guide:

Tips for Splitting PDFs Efficiently

1. Know your page numbers first - Scroll through the PDF and note which pages you need
2. Use the preview - Most tools show thumbnails so you can verify before splitting
3. Name files descriptively - Instead of "split_1.pdf", use "contract_pages_1-5.pdf"
4. Batch when possible - If you need multiple ranges, use a tool that handles all at once

Common Questions About Splitting PDFs

Does splitting a PDF reduce file size?

Yes, each split file will be smaller than the original since it contains fewer pages. However, if the original PDF has embedded fonts or images that appear on most pages, the reduction may not be proportional.

Will I lose quality when splitting a PDF?

No. Splitting a PDF is a lossless operation - you're just separating pages, not re-rendering them. The quality remains identical to the original.

Can I split password-protected PDFs?

You'll need to know the password first. Once unlocked, you can split normally. Some tools (like our Unlock PDF tool) can help you remove protection if you have the password.

How do I merge PDFs back together?

If you need to combine PDFs after splitting, check out our Merge PDF tool. It's free and works the same way - entirely in your browser.

Wrapping Up

Splitting PDFs doesn't require expensive software. For most people, an online tool that processes files locally is the fastest and most secure option.

If you're on a Mac, Preview works great for quick extractions. And if you're processing many PDFs regularly, a simple Python script is the way to go.

Have questions about splitting PDFs? Drop them in the comments below.

Related Tools:

• Split PDF Online - Free, no signup
• Merge PDF - Combine multiple PDFs
• Compress PDF - Reduce file size
• Extract PDF Pages - Pull out specific pages