How to Split PDF Files: Complete Guide

Why Split PDF Files?

Splitting large PDF documents is essential for document management. Whether you need to extract specific pages, divide a report into chapters, or share only relevant sections, PDF splitting saves time and keeps files organized.

3 Methods to Split PDFs

1. Online PDF Splitter (Recommended)

The fastest way to split PDF files is using browser-based tools:

• No installation - Works instantly in any browser
• 100% secure - Files processed locally on your device
• Free forever - No watermarks or restrictions
• Multiple split modes - Extract pages, split by range, or divide evenly

2. Desktop Software

For power users, desktop applications like Adobe Acrobat or PDFtk offer advanced splitting options including batch processing.

3. Command-Line Tools

Developers can automate PDF splitting using libraries like PyPDF2 or pdf-lib for integration into workflows.

Step-by-Step: Split PDF Online

1. Visit TurnFile 360 Split PDF
2. Upload your PDF file (drag and drop supported)
3. Choose split method:
   • Extract pages - Select specific page numbers
   • Split by range - Divide into custom sections
   • Split evenly - Create equal-sized files
4. Click "Split PDF"
5. Download individual files or as a ZIP archive

Common Use Cases

Extract Single Pages

Need just page 5 from a 100-page document? Use extract pages tool to pull specific pages without splitting the entire file.

Divide by Chapter

Split books, reports, or manuals into logical sections for easier navigation and sharing.

Reduce File Size

Large PDFs can be split into smaller chunks for email attachments (under 25MB limits). Alternatively, use PDF compression to reduce file size while keeping pages together.