Quick answer
To extract pages, open a split tool and enter the page ranges you want, such as 1-3,7; each range becomes its own PDF. To cut a long file into equal parts, split every N pages. For a single range, printing to PDF with a page range is a free alternative, but it can drop links, bookmarks and form fields.
Long PDFs often contain more than you want to send. You need page 4 of a 60-page bank statement, chapter three of a manual, the signed pages of a contract, or a 300-page scan cut into parts small enough to upload. "Splitting" and "extracting" are the same operation: you choose which pages go into which new file, and the original stays untouched.
Split, extract or delete: which do you need?
| You want to | Use | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Pull out one page or one range | Split PDF with a single range, such as 4 or 10-15 | One small PDF (in a ZIP) |
| Get several separate documents out of one file | Split PDF with several ranges, such as 1-3,4-9,10-12 | One PDF per range, in a ZIP |
| Cut a long file into equal parts | Split PDF, every N pages | Many PDFs of N pages each |
| Keep most pages and drop a few | Delete PDF pages | One PDF without those pages |
| Keep scattered pages in one file | Organize PDF, listing only those pages | One PDF in the order you list |
Choosing the right tool first saves a second round. For example, if you want everything except the cover and the last page, deleting two pages is simpler than splitting.
Step by step: split a PDF with MyPDFDone
- 01Note the page numbersOpen the PDF and write down the pages you need. Use the page numbers your viewer shows in its toolbar, not the numbers printed on the pages, which often differ.
- 02Upload the PDF to Split PDFOpen MyPDFDone's Split PDF tool and drop your file on the upload box. Files up to 100 MB are accepted.
- 03Choose ranges or every N pagesType ranges separated by commas, for example 1-3,7,10-12 for three files, or choose to split every N pages to cut the document into equal parts.
- 04Check the previewLook at the preview of the parts for free and make sure each one starts and ends on the right page.
- 05Download the ZIPDownload all parts together as one ZIP of PDFs for $2.99, paid once, and unzip it on your device.
Uploading, splitting and previewing are free. If the parts look right, one download of $2.99 gets you the whole ZIP: you don't pay per part, and there is no subscription. Files are deleted automatically 2 hours after upload.
Page numbers that don't match
Many documents have a cover and a contents page before "page 1". The split tool counts physical pages from the first page of the file, the same way your PDF viewer's page counter does. If the footer of the page you want says "12" but the viewer says "14 of 80", use 14.
Free ways to extract pages on your device
Every device can "print" to a PDF file, and printing lets you choose a page range. It's a handy, free way to pull out one range. The catch: printing creates a new PDF from what's visible, so links, bookmarks, fillable fields and sometimes accessibility tags are lost, and a few documents come out with text turned into images. For a quick page to send, that's usually fine. For official documents and forms, a real split is safer.
Windows
Open the PDF in your browser or PDF reader, press Ctrl+P, choose "Microsoft Print to PDF" or "Save as PDF" as the printer, enter the pages under Pages (for example 4-6), and save. Repeat for each range you need.
Mac
In Preview, show thumbnails (View > Thumbnails), select the pages you want with Cmd-click, and drag them to the desktop: Preview creates a new PDF with just those pages. Alternatively, choose File > Print, set the page range, and use the PDF menu at the bottom-left to "Save as PDF".
iPhone and iPad
Open the PDF, tap Share, then Print. Under Options, choose the page range. Then share the print preview: on recent iOS versions there's a "Save to Files" option in the print screen's share button, or you can pinch outward on the preview to open it as a PDF you can save.
Android
Open the PDF in Chrome or a PDF viewer, choose Print from the menu, select "Save as PDF" as the printer, set the pages, and tap the download button to save the new file.
Splitting large files for uploads and email
Upload portals often reject files over 2–10 MB, and email providers stop at around 20–25 MB. Splitting every N pages is the fastest way to create parts that fit. Some tips:
- Split at natural boundaries when you can. Chapters, separate forms or separate months are easier for the recipient than "pages 1–25".
- Name the parts. "Statement-Jan.pdf" and "Statement-Feb.pdf" are better than "part-1" and "part-2". If the order matters, add "1 of 3", "2 of 3".
- Compress after splitting if needed. Each part of a scan can still be large. Compress PDF shrinks it, and our guide to PDFs that are too large to upload explains how far to go.
Examples of page ranges
A few typical jobs and what to type:
- Just page 4: 4 (one file).
- Pages 1 to 3 and the signature page 12, as two files: 1-3,12.
- A 90-page scan in three equal parts: split every 30 pages.
- Each page as its own PDF: split every 1 page. A 20-page file gives 20 PDFs in the ZIP.
- Chapters at known pages: 1-14,15-38,39-60 gives three chapter files.
Ranges must stay within the document: if the file has 60 pages, a range like 55-70 stops with a message that page 70 doesn't exist. Nothing is charged; correct the range and run it again.
Privacy: share only the pages you need
Splitting is also a privacy habit. If a landlord asks for proof of income, they need the summary page of your pay slip, not every page of your bank statement. Extracting just the pages that answer the request limits what you hand over. Keep in mind that a split only removes whole pages. Covering details on a page with a white box in Edit PDF hides them visually, but it is not redaction: the text underneath can still be selected and copied. If the hidden details are sensitive, use a dedicated redaction feature, or turn the covered page into an image and back into a PDF so no text remains.
Final check
- Each part starts and ends on the page you intended.
- No page is missing between parts; the page counts add up.
- Pages are upright; if not, see how to rotate PDF pages.
- Each file name says what it contains.
- Parts fit the size limit of wherever you're sending them.
Frequently asked questions
Use a dash for a range and commas between ranges. 1-3,5 gives two files: one with pages 1 to 3 and one with page 5. Each range you type becomes a separate PDF.
Splitting makes one file per range. To keep scattered pages together in one file, use Organize PDF and list only the pages you want, for example 2,5,9; pages you leave out are dropped.
No. Splitting copies pages exactly as they are. The parts are not re-compressed, so text and images look the same as in the original.
Shared resources such as fonts and images can be stored in every part that uses them. If you need the parts smaller, compress them after splitting.
No. A split produces one ZIP with all the parts, and downloading it is a single $2.99 payment for that file.
Not while it's encrypted. If you know the password, remove it first with Unlock PDF, then split.