PDF Split
Split a PDF into multiple files by specifying custom page ranges to extract.
Extract specific page ranges or burst a multi-page PDF document into separate single-page PDF files and ZIP archives.
Drop a PDF file here to split
or click to browse a PDF document
How do I use PDF Split?
Upload a multi-page PDF document or click "Load Sample Data" to load a multi-page test PDF.
Select pages visually or enter custom page ranges (e.g., `1-3, 5, 8-10`) or fixed-interval splits.
Export the extracted pages as a single new PDF or download separate PDF files as a ZIP archive.
What features does PDF Split offer?
Split PDF documents by custom page ranges, discrete page lists, or burst all pages
Extract All Pages mode: automatically package all single-page PDFs into a downloadable ZIP archive
Dual-engine architecture: Instant in-browser pdf-lib client engine or 500MB Cloud Engine
Complete preservation of vector text sharpness, color profiles, and embedded media
Zero file data retention: browser execution ensures confidential files never leave your device
One-click sample 3-page PDF generator to test custom range splitting immediately
PDF Page Tree Extraction & Shared Resource Deduplication
Splitting a PDF copies only the target `/Page` dictionaries and their referenced `/Resources` (`/XObject`, `/Font`, `/ExtGState`) into a fresh PDF container.
| Split Mode | Range Syntax Example | Output Artifact | Shared Font/Image Handling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extract Selected Pages | 1, 4, 7-9 | Single consolidated PDF file | Shared fonts copied once into output container |
| Split by Custom Ranges | 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 | ZIP archive of 3 separate PDFs | Each output PDF receives only its referenced XObjects |
| Burst Every N Pages | Every 1 page (Fixed) | ZIP archive of N single-page PDFs | Document-level unreferenced objects stripped |
| Remove Specific Pages | Exclude 2, 12 | Single cleaned PDF document | Re-indexes remaining `/Kids` page array |
Frequently Asked Questions about PDF Split
Why is a single extracted page sometimes larger than `Total PDF Size / Page Count`?
PDFs store embedded fonts, ICC color profiles, and reusable vector `/XObject` logos as shared document resources. When you extract 1 page from a 10-page PDF, the new file must still include the full subsetted font tables required to render that page.
How does page range syntax (`1-3, 5, 8-10`) handle out-of-bounds or overlapping numbers?
Numbers exceeding the document's total page count are clamped automatically, and overlapping ranges (such as `1-4, 3-6`) can either be deduplicated or intentionally repeated when assembling custom packets.
Does splitting a PDF degrade vector graphics or text sharpness?
No, splitting operates strictly on the ISO 32000-1 object graph (`pdf-lib` AST cloning) without rasterizing or re-encoding page content streams, guaranteeing 100% lossless vector and text fidelity.
Are my confidential legal or financial PDFs uploaded to any server during splitting?
Never. Every byte is parsed and re-assembled inside your browser's local `ArrayBuffer` memory, ensuring strict GDPR and HIPAA client-side data residency.
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