How to Split a PDF in Just 3 Steps
Separate pages from a PDF in three simple steps. No software installation required.
Add Your PDF
Select the PDF you want to split and enter its password if the file is protected.
Choose the Pages
Select pages with thumbnails or page ranges, and leave the combine option off for separate files or turn it on to save the selected pages as one PDF.
Split and Download
Click “Split PDF,” then download the separate page files in a ZIP or the combined PDF directly.
How Does the PDF Splitter Work?
The CompressFly PDF splitter separates pages from a PDF directly in your browser. Save every page as its own PDF, or choose only the pages you need. Separate files are downloaded together in a ZIP, ready to share or save individually. You can also save a selected chapter or several nonconsecutive pages together as one new PDF. Your document is processed locally, without being uploaded to a server, and the original file stays unchanged.
What "processed locally" means
- Your PDF is not uploaded to or stored on a processing server
- Page previews and output files are created on your device
- Any password you enter is used locally to open your PDF
Separate Page Files or One New PDF?
Keep individual pages separate, or save the pages you need together. Here is what each option produces from a six-page PDF.
| Pages selected | Separate PDFs (default) | Combine selected pages |
|---|---|---|
| All six pages | Six single-page PDFs in a ZIP | One six-page PDF |
| Pages 3–5 | Three single-page PDFs in a ZIP | One three-page PDF |
| Page 4 only | One single-page PDF in a ZIP | One single-page PDF, downloaded directly |
The ZIP contains PDF files, not images. Page ranges select which pages to include; they do not create a separate multi-page PDF for each range.
Why Use CompressFly to Split a PDF?
Easy to Use
Separate the part of a PDF you need without learning a full editing application. The straightforward workspace keeps a quick document task manageable.
Less to Send and Read
A useful section can stand on its own instead of travelling inside a long report. Smaller, focused document copies make it easier for recipients to find the relevant material.
No Document Rebuilding
Reuse existing PDF pages instead of copying their contents into a new document. You can prepare a useful excerpt without recreating the layout yourself.
No Software Setup
Split the document in your browser without installing a PDF editor. It is convenient when you only need a few pages for an attachment or submission.
Free to Use
An occasional document split should not need a paid subscription. Get your page copies without creating an account or providing payment details.
Your Full Document Stays Private
The source PDF remains on your device while the pages are separated. The tool creates new copies locally, so you do not have to upload the full document for processing.
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Split PDF FAQ
How do I split a PDF online?
1. Select your PDF file. 2. Choose the pages you need. Leave the combine option off for separate page files, or turn it on for one PDF. 3. Click “Split PDF” and download the ZIP or PDF.
Can I split a PDF into individual pages?
Yes. Select all pages and leave the combine option off. Each page becomes a separate PDF, and all the files are downloaded together in a ZIP. Their filenames include the original page numbers so they are easy to identify.
Will entering several page ranges create a PDF for each range?
No. Ranges such as 1-3, 7-9 select the pages to include. The result is either six single-page PDFs in a ZIP or one six-page PDF with the combine option on. To save several sections as separate multi-page PDFs, save one section per run.
Can I save a single page or a chapter as one PDF?
Yes. Select a page, a continuous range, or several nonconsecutive pages, then turn on “Combine the selected pages into one PDF file.” The result downloads directly as a PDF, with pages in their original document order. Use Organize PDF if you want to rearrange them.
Will splitting make my PDF small enough to email?
A file with fewer pages may be smaller, but splitting does not compress its contents or guarantee a particular file size. If you need to reduce the size of a PDF, use Compress PDF.
Does splitting a PDF reduce page quality?
Pages are copied into new PDF files without being converted to images or recompressed. You can split scanned PDFs too, but splitting does not turn scanned text into searchable text.
Can I split more than one PDF at a time?
This tool works with one PDF at a time, but can save all of its pages as separate files in one operation. If you want to select pages from several documents together, combine them first with Merge PDF.
Is this PDF splitter free, and are my files uploaded?
Yes, it is free, with no registration or credit card required. Your PDF and any password you enter are processed locally in your browser. The new PDFs and ZIP are created on your device, not on a processing server.