How do I split a PDF into chapters?

Add the PDF. If it has bookmarks, the tool lists each chapter with its pages. Untick any you do not want, click Split PDF, and you get a ZIP with one PDF per chapter.

What if my PDF has no bookmarks?

The tool tells you. You can then split at every page that contains a word such as "Chapter" with Split PDF by text, or split every N pages.

Can I split by sub-sections instead of chapters?

Yes, if the PDF has nested bookmarks. Pick "Sections (level 2)" or "Sub-sections (level 3)" and the list updates before you split.

What happens to the pages before the first chapter?

Cover, contents and preface pages before the first bookmark are kept together as a file called "00 Front matter". You can untick it.

How are the files named?

Each file is numbered in reading order and named after its bookmark, for example "03 Chapter 3 Results.pdf". Characters that are not allowed in file names are removed, and names are kept to 80 characters.

No. Reading the bookmarks and building the chapter files all happen in your browser. The file never leaves your device.

Split PDF by Bookmarks: One File per Chapter

Drop in a book, manual, report or court bundle and the tool reads its bookmarks, the table of contents in the PDF sidebar. It shows each chapter with its pages, lets you leave some out, and downloads one PDF per chapter, named after the chapter. Everything runs in your browser.

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Will this split my PDF into chapters?

A PDF with bookmarks in the sidebar (most e-books, manuals and exported reports)

Each bookmark becomes the start of a file, at the level you choose.

A PDF without bookmarks, but each chapter starts with a heading

There are no bookmarks to read. Split at every page that contains the heading text instead.

Split by text

Splitting into equal parts or a page range

This page splits at bookmarks only. Use the main split tool for ranges or every N pages.

Split PDF

A password-protected PDF

Remove the password first, then split.

Unlock the PDF

Features

Reads the PDF bookmarks, including named destinations
Split at top-level chapters, or at level 2 and 3 sections
Shows every chapter with its page range before you split
Untick chapters you do not need
Pages before the first bookmark are kept as "Front matter"
Optionally merge very short chapters into the one before
Files are numbered and named after the chapters (zipped when there is more than one)

When people use it

Textbooks and e-books

Break a long book into one file per chapter for reading, printing or sharing a single chapter.

Manuals and reports

Send each team only the section they need from a long manual or annual report.

Court and case bundles

Turn a bookmarked bundle back into its separate documents, each named after its bookmark.

How splitting by bookmarks works

Bookmarks decide where each file starts

Each bookmark points at a page. A chapter runs from its bookmark to the page before the next one. When two bookmarks point at the same page, only the higher-level one starts a file, so you do not get empty or duplicate parts.

Choose "Chapters" to split at top-level bookmarks only, or "Sections" to also split at the bookmarks nested one level inside them.

Pages are copied, not changed

The pages in each chapter file are copied exactly as they are: text stays selectable and images keep their quality. The bookmarks themselves are not copied into the new files.

No bookmarks?

Many scanned or exported PDFs have no bookmarks. If every chapter starts with a heading like "Chapter", use Split PDF by text.
Otherwise split every N pages or by page range.
Need parts under an email or upload limit? Split PDF by size.
Password-protected PDF? Unlock it first.