Sometimes you only need part of a PDF. The bank wants page 2 of your tax return. The school wants one form out of a 20-page packet. Or you want every page saved as its own file.
This guide shows free ways to do it on Windows and Mac, and a quicker way with PageKit, which splits a PDF right in your web browser. Your file is never uploaded.
Way 1: PageKit (quick, works on any computer)
PageKit does the work inside your browser tab, so your PDF stays on your computer.
- Go to tools.ltd/pagekit.
- Click Choose PDFs and pick one PDF.
- In step 2, pick Split.
- Open More options. In Which pages?, type the pages you want, like 1-3, 5.
- Want every page as its own file? Leave the box empty.
- Press the big button to split.
- Download your new file in step 3.
How to type pages: a dash means "from this page to that page," and a comma separates groups. So 2-4, 7 means pages 2, 3, 4 and 7.
Way 2: "Print" just the pages you want (free, Windows)
You can use the print screen to save some pages as a new PDF. Nothing is actually printed.
- Right-click your PDF, choose Open with, then Microsoft Edge. (Google Chrome works the same way.)
- Press Ctrl + P to open the print screen.
- Under Printer, pick Microsoft Print to PDF or Save as PDF.
- Under Pages, choose the option to type pages, then type the ones you want, like 2-4.
- Click Print or Save, give the new file a name, and save it.
To make one file per page this way, repeat it for each page. That's fine for a few pages, but slow for a long file.
Way 3: Use Preview (free, Mac)
- Open the PDF in Preview.
- Click View, then Thumbnails, so you see small pages down the side.
- Click the page you want. Hold Command to pick more than one.
- Drag the pages you picked onto your desktop. Preview makes a new PDF of just those pages.
You can also press Command + P, type the pages you want, then click the PDF menu at the bottom and choose Save as PDF.
Check your new file
- Open the new PDF.
- Count the pages. Are they the ones you wanted?
- Give it a clear name, like "Tax return - page 2," so the person knows what it is.
Tips
- Send less, share less. Only sending the pages someone asked for keeps the rest of your private details to yourself.
- Still private details on the page? Black out your Social Security number or account number with TrueRedact before you send it.
- Need to put pages back together? PageKit can also Merge PDFs into one file, in the order you choose.
- File too big to email? Pick Shrink in PageKit instead.
Which way should I pick?
| Your situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Every page as its own file | PageKit (leave the pages box empty) |
| A few pages, on Windows | Print to PDF, or PageKit |
| A few pages, on a Mac | Preview, or PageKit |
| Phone or a computer that isn't yours | PageKit, in the web browser |
Frequently asked questions
Will splitting a PDF change the original?
No. Each way in this guide makes a new file. Your original PDF stays the same.
How do I type the pages I want in PageKit?
Use a dash for a run of pages and a comma between groups. For example, 1-3, 5 gives you pages 1, 2, 3 and 5. Leave the box empty to get every page as its own file.
Does PageKit upload my PDF?
No. The work happens inside your web browser, so your PDF stays on your computer.
Why won't my PDF open in PageKit?
PageKit can't open a PDF that has a password on it. Open it in the app that made it, remove the password if you're allowed to, and try again.
Related guides: How to combine PDF files into one · PDF too big to email? · More PDF guides