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PPDF123

Pull Out the Odd-Numbered Pages of a PDF

Extract Odd Pages saves pages 1, 3, 5, 7 and every other odd-numbered page of a PDF as a new file. The page field is preset to the pattern 2n-1, where n counts from 1.

Drag and drop a file here, or click to choose

Accepts PDF · up to 500.0 MB per file

You can also paste a file with Ctrl/Cmd+V, or from the clipboard menu.

Odd and even pages matter when you scan or print double-sided: the odd pages are the fronts of each sheet. Typing every number by hand is slow, so the page field understands patterns. 2n-1 produces 1, 3, 5, 7 and so on up to the last page of your file.

In these patterns n counts from 1, so 2n-1 gives 1, 3, 5 and 2n gives 2, 4, 6. That is why the pattern for odd pages is 2n-1 rather than 2n+1, which would start at page 3 and skip the first page.

The result is a new PDF with the odd pages in order. Your original is not changed. For the other half of the document, use the even-pages page, or type 2n in the same field.

Features

  • Pattern 2n-1 preset: pages 1, 3, 5, 7 and so on
  • Works for any page count, with no list to type
  • Pages are copied in order; text stays selectable
  • No account or sign-in required

When to use this tool

  • Printing only the fronts of a double-sided scan
  • Splitting a duplex scan into its front and back sides
  • Checking odd pages of a long document on their own

How do I extract only the odd pages of a PDF?

  1. Upload the PDF
  2. Keep 2n-1 in the page field
  3. Click Process and download the PDF with the odd pages

Limits and edge cases

  • The pattern is counted over the pages of the file, not over printed page numbers
  • 2n+1 is not the same pattern: it starts at page 3
  • The pages keep their order; there is no reordering option on this page

Test results and conditions

  • Test file: a 10-page PDF generated for this project's test suite, one line of text per page.
  • The pattern 2n-1 returned a 5-page PDF; its first page was Page 1 of 10.

Privacy for this tool

Files are uploaded over HTTPS, processed in memory or a short-lived temporary directory on our servers, and deleted when your result is ready. We do not keep copies for later browsing, training, or advertising profiles. See the Privacy Policy for retention details and AdSense cookie disclosures.

Frequently asked questions

Why 2n-1 and not 2n+1?
n starts at 1. 2n-1 gives 1, 3, 5, while 2n+1 gives 3, 5, 7 and leaves out the first page.
How do I get the even pages?
Type 2n in the same field, or use the even-pages page, which is preset to that pattern.
Does it work if the PDF has an odd number of pages?
Yes. The pattern stops at the last page, so a 9-page file gives pages 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Are printed page numbers used, or the position in the file?
The position in the file. If a cover page is not numbered, page 1 of the file is still page 1 here.

Last updated:

Call this from code

Every tool on this site is a plain REST endpoint - no account or API key needed for anonymous use. Built for AI agents and developers as much as for browsers.

curl -X POST "https://pdf123.xyz/api/v1/general/rearrange-pages" \
  -F "[email protected]" \
  -F "pageNumbers=1" \
  -o output.pdf

Also available as an MCP tool for agent clients that speak Model Context Protocol (JSON-RPC 2.0 over POST /mcp). Full API reference

Use it from an AI agent

Skill

Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and other AI agents can run Extract Pages for you with this skill: /skills/pdf123-extract-pages.md

All agent skills

Files are used only for this processing job and deleted automatically afterward.