Split PDF Online Free – Separate PDF Pages & Ranges

Split PDF — pull the pages you actually need

A split PDF tool starts from the opposite place as a merger: you have one oversized or mixed document, and you need smaller pieces. pdfLaunch lets you separate PDF pages by range, preview what each range contains, and download either several files or one rebuilt PDF from those ranges — free, in the browser.

Examples: cut chapter 3 out of a textbook scan, peel invoices apart from a multi-doc scan, or send only pages 12–18 of a proposal. You set ranges like 1–5 and 20–22, check thumbnails, then export. Splitting runs locally; we do not upload your PDF contents to perform the split.

How page ranges work on this splitter

The UI is built around ranges, not a vague “break file somehow” button. That matters when you need surgical cuts.

One range = one logical piece

Pages 1–4 might be the cover letter; 5–9 the quote. Each range can download as its own PDF so recipients only get what they need.

Multiple ranges in one pass

Add range after range with “+ Add range.” You do not have to re-upload the same PDF five times for five excerpts.

Thumbnails before you commit

Each range shows page previews so you catch off-by-one errors (starting at page 10 instead of 11) before downloading.

“Combine ranges” switch

Want several excerpts but still one file? Enable combine to pack those ranges into a single new PDF instead of separate downloads.

Split a PDF in practice

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1

Open the source PDF

Upload one file from your device or import it from Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. This tool works on a single PDF at a time.

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2

Define the cuts

Enter start and end pages for each piece. Add more ranges for additional excerpts. Skim thumbnails to verify the boundaries.

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3

Export the pieces

Download separate PDFs per range, or combine the selected ranges into one new document — whichever matches the job.

Real reasons people search “split PDF”

These are one-to-many problems. If your problem is many-to-one, you want Merge PDF instead.

📧 Attachment limits. A 40 MB scan will not pass many inboxes. Splitting into chapter-sized PDFs (then compressing if needed) gets the content through.

🧾 Batch scanner output. One afternoon of scanning often lands as a single PDF. Ranges let you peel each invoice or form into its own file for filing systems.

📚 Only one chapter. Sharing a whole textbook PDF is unnecessary (and often unwanted). Export the pages for the assignment only.

⚖️ Exhibits and annexes. Pull exhibit B or schedule 3 out of a long filing pack without rewriting the original.

🖨 Selective printing. Export the pages you plan to print so you are not sending a 120-page job to the printer by mistake.

Pick the right “break apart” tool

pdfLaunch has several page tools. Using the wrong one wastes time.

→ Split PDF (this page): you want new files defined by page ranges, optionally several downloads from one source.

→ Extract Pages: you are focused on pulling a selection into a new PDF in an extraction workflow.

→ Remove Pages: you want to delete blanks/dupes and keep one cleaned file — not export pieces.

→ Organize PDF: pages are in the wrong order or rotation inside one file; you are not trying to create multiple outputs.

Quality when you separate pages

Splitting copies pages into new PDF containers. It does not “screenshot” them.

Text & fonts

Selectable text in the source stays selectable in each output range. Image-only scans remain images unless you run OCR beforehand.

Size reality check

A 5-page excerpt from a photo-heavy scan can still be large. Split first for structure, then compress for delivery.

File limit

Source PDFs up to 100 MB are supported. Extremely long documents depend on what your browser can hold in memory.

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Why browser-side split matters for excerpts

You often split because a document is sensitive — not despite that

Local page extraction: ranges are carved in your browser. We do not need your PDF on our servers to create the split outputs.
Share less by default: exporting only pages 4–6 means you never email the other 90 pages that were irrelevant (or confidential).
No login required: split without creating an account. HTTPS covers the site; cloud import is optional and explicit.

Split PDF FAQ

How do I split one PDF into several smaller PDFs?

Upload the file, create a page range for each output, leave “Combine ranges” off, and download. Each range becomes its own PDF.

Can I extract pages 1–3 and 10–12 in the same session?

Yes. Add two ranges, preview both with thumbnails, then download. You do not need to upload the PDF twice.

What does the Combine ranges checkbox do?

It packs every selected range into a single new PDF. Turn it off when you want separate files per range.

How do I make every page its own PDF?

Create ranges 1–1, 2–2, 3–3, and so on for each page, keep combine disabled, then download. You will get one one-page PDF per page.

Is this the same as Remove Pages?

No. Remove Pages deletes pages and leaves one leftover file. Split exports the pieces you choose as new PDFs and leaves your workflow focused on ranges.

Will splitting reduce file size enough for email?

Sometimes — fewer pages often means a smaller file. Photo-heavy pages may still be large; follow up with Compress PDF if the excerpt is still too big.

Can I split on my phone?

Yes. Open this page in a mobile browser, upload the PDF, set ranges, and download. No App Store install is required.

Do you upload my PDF to split it?

No for the split operation itself — page separation runs in your browser. Cloud storage is only used if you explicitly import a file from Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

What size limits apply?

Up to 100 MB per source PDF. Very high page counts are limited by device memory rather than an arbitrary page cap.

Can I undo a bad split?

Your original file stays on your device unless you deleted it. If you need the pieces back together, use Merge PDF on the outputs.

Drop your PDF file here

Split PDF Files