Sometimes you only need 3 pages from a 90-page PDF. Instead of sending the whole file, split it and share exactly what’s needed.
This guide shows you how to split any PDF online in seconds — by single pages, custom ranges, or extracting one page — and when to use each method.
Why Split a PDF?
Typical scenarios:
- Extract a chapter from a textbook to share with classmates
- Remove blank or unwanted pages before submission
- Split a scanned book into smaller files for easier emailing
- Separate invoices that were scanned as one 30-page bundle
- Create a short preview from a long report for clients
Splitting keeps the text searchable and images sharp — unlike screenshots.
How to Split PDFs Using ModifyPDF (3 Modes)
Use the Split PDF tool — free, no account, works on phone and laptop.
Step 1 — Open the tool Go to https://www.modifypdf.in/split-pdf.
Step 2 — Upload your PDF Drag and drop or tap to browse. Max ~100 MB.
Step 3 — Choose split mode
- Extract pages: Enter
1, 5, 8-12to get only those pages as a new PDF - Split by ranges: Divide into files, e.g.,
1-10,11-20,21-30 - Split every page: Create one PDF per page (e.g., 20 pages → 20 PDFs)
Step 4 — Split and download Click Split. Files download as a ZIP if multiple outputs, or a single PDF if extracting a range.
The 3 Split Modes Explained
1. Extract Specific Pages
Best when you know exact page numbers. Example: A student needs only the bibliography (pages 78-82) from a 90-page thesis. Enter 78-82 and get a 5-page PDF.
2. Split by Custom Ranges
Best for dividing a long document into sections. Example: A 120-page manual split into 1-40, 41-80, 81-120 for three trainees.
3. Split Every Page (One Page Per File)
Best for scanned invoices or ID proofs where each page must be a separate file for portal uploads.
Pro Tips
Preview first. Open the PDF and note the page numbers you need (page 1 is the cover in most readers, but some start at 0 — ModifyPDF uses 1-based).
Compress huge files first. A 80 MB scan splits slowly. Run it through Compress PDF first — splitting then is 3x faster.
Combine after splitting. Need to rearrange? Split out the good pages, then Merge PDFs in a new order. Split + Merge is a powerful combo.
Keep originals. Splitting creates new files; your uploaded file is never altered.
Split vs Extract vs Delete Pages
- Split → create multiple new PDFs from one
- Extract → create one new PDF from selected pages (same as split by range but single output)
- Delete → not a direct tool; achieved by extracting all except the pages you want to remove (e.g., to delete page 5 from a 10-page file, extract
1-4, 6-10)
Is Splitting Safe?
ModifyPDF uses HTTPS and auto-deletes uploads after processing. No storage, no reading. For confidential docs (marksheets, contracts), this is safer than forwarding the full file to someone else.
Troubleshooting
“I don’t know page numbers” Open the PDF in Chrome/Drive and check the footer page counter, then enter those numbers in the Split tool.
“Output ZIP won’t open” Use your phone’s Files app or 7-Zip/WinRAR on Windows. All splits that produce >1 file are zipped together for one download.
“Need to merge after splitting” Use Merge PDF right after — both tools work the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I split a scanned PDF? Yes — scanned PDFs are just images inside a PDF. Splitting works identically.
Will text stay searchable after splitting? Yes. If source text was searchable, extracted pages remain searchable.
Can I split a password-protected PDF? Remove the password first with the Unlock PDF tool, then split.
What’s the file size limit? Up to 100 MB per upload. Split files individually are much smaller.
Does splitting reduce quality? No. Pages are copied, not re-rendered.
Can I do this on mobile? Yes. The page selector is touch-friendly and works in any mobile browser.
Need to extract pages right now? Use the free Split PDF tool — split or extract any pages in seconds.
Next read: How to Merge PDF Files Online and How to Compress a PDF Without Losing Quality