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PPDF123

Split a PDF by Chapters

Split by Chapters cuts a PDF at its top-level bookmarks and returns one PDF per chapter in a ZIP. A file with no bookmarks is rejected, because the tool reads the outline, not the page text.

Drag and drop files here, or click to choose

Accepts PDF · up to 500.0 MB per file · up to 20 files at once

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

Split by Chapters walks the PDF outline (`/Outlines` First/Next) at the top level and cuts a ZIP of chapter PDFs with qpdf. It does not OCR titles and it does not parse heading text on the page.

`allowDuplicates` is honored. `bookmarkLevel` on the form is ignored; only the top outline level is used. A file with no outline returns BadRequest, and pages before the first bookmark are not part of any chapter.

The ZIP is named `{base}_split.zip` and holds files named `{base}_chapter_N.pdf`. Password-protected files are unlocked for you on this page once you enter the password; API callers run Unlock first.

If you have no bookmarks, use Split (page cuts) or Split by Size (page-count chunks) instead.

Features

  • Top-level `/Outlines` only; qpdf cuts into a ZIP
  • `bookmarkLevel` ignored; no-outline PDFs error
  • Not OCR and not heading-text detection
  • Anonymous API at /api/v1/general/split-pdf-by-chapters

When to use this tool

  • Cut a book that already has a proper outline into chapter files
  • Split a report whose bookmarks match real sections
  • Avoid guessing chapter starts from heading text

How do I split a PDF by chapters?

  1. Upload a PDF that already has an outline/bookmarks panel.
  2. Click Process. bookmarkLevel does not change the cut.
  3. Download `{name}_split.zip`.
  4. Unzip and check that chapter starts match the outline, not the printed headings.

Limits and edge cases

  • Requires /Outlines
  • Top level only
  • Not OCR
  • 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-chapter book with 10 top bookmarks yields about 10 PDFs in a ZIP
  • A PDF with printed headings but an empty outline panel errors

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

My headings are visible but it failed. Why?
The op reads the outline dictionary, not the words on the page. Add bookmarks first, or use another split tool.
Can I split on heading level 2?
No. bookmarkLevel is unused. Only top-level outline siblings are cuts.
Is this the same as Split?
No. Split uses typed page numbers. This uses outline destinations.
What does allowDuplicates do?
With it off, a chapter whose next bookmark points at the same page is skipped. With it on, that chapter becomes an empty PDF.

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-pdf-by-chapters" \
  -F "[email protected]" \
  -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 by Chapters for you with this skill: /skills/pdf123-split-by-chapters.md

All agent skills

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