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PPDF123

Split a PDF at Chosen Pages

Split PDF cuts one PDF into several files after the page numbers you enter; each number is the last page of a piece. The pieces download together as one ZIP.

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.

Split cuts one PDF into several files at the page numbers you type. A tray of invoices scanned as one document, a book you need as chapters, an exhibit pack that has to go out as separate attachments: those are the jobs.

The `pageNumbers` field is a list of 1-based cut points: each number is the last page of a piece. On a 10-page file, `3,7` yields pages 1-3, 4-7, and 8-10. The last page is always included as a final boundary, so you do not have to repeat it.

The default form value is `1`, which puts page 1 in the first file and the rest in the second. If you omit the field, every page becomes its own file. Each page number must exist in the document: a page past the last one is rejected with an error. Comma lists, `all` and ranges are accepted, and a range end past the last page is clipped. A range such as `5-9` makes a cut after each of pages 5 to 9, so it yields five one-page pieces.

Each piece is a qpdf page subset, zipped together for download. Pages are copied, not reprinted through a printer driver, so text encoding and images stay intact.

If you want one contiguous range and can throw the rest away, Extract Pages is the clearer tool. Split is for producing several files in one pass.

Off-by-one errors are the usual failure. Open the PDF, read the viewer page numbers, then type those as cut-after values. Get Info reports page count if you are unsure.

Split does not delete the original on your device. Keep or discard the source under your own retention rules. Only split files you are allowed to redistribute as separate documents.

Password-protected files are unlocked for you on this page once you enter the password; API callers run Unlock first. The zip is temporary server output; download it when the job finishes.

Features

  • Cuts after 1-based page numbers; output is a ZIP of PDFs
  • Copies pages with qpdf instead of reprinting them as images
  • Default `1` splits after the first page; empty input splits every page
  • Anonymous API at /api/v1/general/split-pages

When to use this tool

  • Break an overnight scanner tray into one PDF per job
  • Cut a combined exhibit PDF into the attachments a court portal expects
  • Turn a book PDF into chapter files at known page breaks

How do I split a PDF into separate files?

  1. Upload the PDF you want in pieces.
  2. Enter 1-based page numbers to cut after (for example 3,7 on a 10-page file).
  3. Click Process and download the ZIP of split PDFs.
  4. Open each piece and confirm the first and last pages match the cuts you intended.

Limits and edge cases

  • Cut points must be valid 1-based page numbers; one past the last page is an error
  • Password-protected files need the password; API callers run Unlock first
  • Does not detect chapters from bookmarks (that is Split by Chapters)
  • Upload limit on this website: 500 MB per file, sent in chunks above about 95 MB. A single direct API request body is capped at 100 MB.

Examples

  • A 10-page file split after 3 and 7 becomes three PDFs: 1-3, 4-7, 8-10
  • Default pageNumbers=1 on a 6-page file yields a 1-page PDF and a 5-page PDF

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

Is pageNumbers a range or a cut-after list?
Cut-after. 3,7 on a 10-page file means 1-3, 4-7, and 8-10. It is not "keep only pages 3 and 7".
Why did I get a ZIP instead of one PDF?
Each piece is its own PDF. The response packages them as `{name}_split.zip`.
How do I put every page in its own file?
Leave pageNumbers empty, or list every page. The portal default of 1 only cuts after page 1.
When should I use Extract Pages instead?
When you want one range and will discard the rest. Split is for several files in one job.

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/split-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 Split PDF for you with this skill: /skills/pdf123-split.md

All agent skills

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