How to split a PDF
Last updated: April 2026 · Reading time: 2 minutes
Splitting a PDF is essential for extracting specific sections, separating multi-document scans, or isolating signed pages for distribution. Here's how to split a PDF into single pages or custom ranges online — free, with no page-count limit and no watermark.
Step-by-step
- 1
Open the PDFree split tool at pdfree.app/en/tools/split.
- 2
Upload your PDF (up to 50 MB on the free plan).
- 3
Choose split mode: every page (1 PDF per page), fixed range (every N pages), or specific pages (custom ranges like 1-5, 8, 12-15).
- 4
Click 'Split' and wait while the PDF is processed on a secure server.
- 5
Download the resulting files as a single ZIP archive. Source files are deleted from the server immediately.
Three ways to split
| Mode | Best for |
|---|---|
| Every page | Extracting individual pages from a long report or scan. |
| Fixed range (every N pages) | Splitting a 100-page PDF into 10 chapters of 10 pages each. |
| Specific pages (1-5, 8, 12-15) | Pulling out exactly the pages you need — invoices, signed pages, appendices. |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a page-count limit when splitting PDFs?
PDFree has no page-count limit when splitting. Upload a 500-page PDF, split it into 500 individual pages — no extra cost, no upgrade required. The only limit is total file size: 50 MB on the free plan.
Can I split a PDF into specific page ranges?
Yes. PDFree supports three split modes: (1) every page — one output PDF per page, (2) fixed range — split every N pages, (3) specific pages — define custom ranges like 1-5, 8, 12-15. Each range becomes a separate output file.
What happens to bookmarks and form fields when splitting?
Bookmarks pointing to pages within a single output range are preserved. Form fields are preserved per page. If a form spans multiple pages and you split mid-form, the form's logical connection breaks — you'll have isolated fields on separate files.
Can I split a password-protected PDF?
No. You'll need to remove the password first using PDFree's unlock tool (which requires the user password), then split the unlocked file.