Need to extract specific pages from a large PDF? Maybe you want to send just chapter 3 of a report, or separate a 100-page document into smaller files. Whatever your reason, splitting a PDF is a common task — but the method you choose matters more than you might think.

In this guide, we'll cover every way to split a PDF on Windows, Mac, and Linux. We'll also explain the pros and cons of each method, especially when it comes to privacy and security.

How to Split a PDF on Windows

Windows doesn't have a built-in PDF splitter, so you'll need to use third-party software or an online tool. Here are your options:

Option 1: Adobe Acrobat Pro (Paid)

If you have Adobe Acrobat Pro, splitting PDFs is straightforward:

1. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro
2. Go to Tools → Organize Pages
3. Click Split in the toolbar
4. Choose how you want to split (by page count, file size, or bookmarks)
5. Click Output Options to set where to save
6. Click Split to create your separate PDF files

Option 2: Microsoft Print to PDF (Free, Limited)

You can use Windows' built-in "Print to PDF" feature as a workaround:

1. Open the PDF in any viewer (Edge, Chrome, Adobe Reader)
2. Press Ctrl + P to open Print dialog
3. Select Microsoft Print to PDF as your printer
4. Under "Pages," enter the specific pages you want (e.g., "1-5" or "3,7,12")
5. Click Print and save the new PDF

Option 3: Free PDF Splitter Software

There are free programs like PDFsam Basic, PDF Split and Merge, or Icecream PDF Split & Merge. However:

• You need to download and install software
• Some "free" versions have watermarks or limitations
• May contain bundled adware — be careful what you install!
• Updates and compatibility issues over time

How to Split a PDF on Mac

Good news for Mac users: the built-in Preview app can split PDFs (sort of). Here's how:

Using Preview (Free, Built-in)

1. Open your PDF in Preview
2. Go to View → Thumbnails to show the sidebar
3. Select the pages you want to extract (hold Command to select multiple)
4. Drag the selected thumbnails to your Desktop or a Finder window
5. This creates a new PDF with just those pages

Alternative: Automator Workflow (Advanced)

For Mac power users, you can create an Automator workflow to split PDFs, but this requires technical knowledge and isn't worth the effort for most people.

How to Split a PDF on Linux

Linux users have several command-line options, but they require some technical comfort:

Using pdftk (PDF Toolkit)

# Install pdftk
sudo apt-get install pdftk

# Extract pages 1-5 from document.pdf
pdftk document.pdf cat 1-5 output pages_1-5.pdf

# Extract pages 10-20
pdftk document.pdf cat 10-20 output pages_10-20.pdf

# Extract specific pages (3, 7, and 12)
pdftk document.pdf cat 3 7 12 output selected_pages.pdf

Using qpdf

# Install qpdf
sudo apt-get install qpdf

# Extract pages 1-10
qpdf document.pdf --pages . 1-10 -- output.pdf

Using pdfseparate and pdfunite (Poppler)

# Install poppler-utils
sudo apt-get install poppler-utils

# Split into individual pages
pdfseparate document.pdf page_%d.pdf

# Combine specific pages back
pdfunite page_1.pdf page_2.pdf page_3.pdf combined.pdf

Online PDF Splitters (And Why Privacy Matters)

There are dozens of online PDF splitters available. Just search "split PDF online" and you'll find options like Smallpdf, ILovePDF, PDF2Go, and many others.

But here's the catch: Most of these services require you to upload your PDF to their servers.

The Solution: Client-Side Processing

The safest approach is to use tools that process your files entirely in your browser, without uploading them to any server. This is exactly how PDF Wonder Kit works.

Method Comparison Table

Here's how all the methods stack up:

The Easiest Way to Split a PDF

After reviewing all these methods, the clear winner for most people is using an online tool with client-side processing. You get the convenience of an online tool without sacrificing privacy.

Here's how to split a PDF using PDF Wonder Kit in about 30 seconds:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I split a PDF for free?

Yes! PDF Wonder Kit offers a free plan that lets you split up to 3 PDFs per month. For unlimited use, premium is just $2/month.

Is it safe to use online PDF tools?

It depends on the tool. Most online PDF tools upload your files to their servers, which means your documents could potentially be stored or accessed. PDF Wonder Kit is different — all processing happens in your browser, so your files never leave your device.

Can I split a password-protected PDF?

Most tools (including PDF Wonder Kit) can work with password-protected PDFs if you know the password. You'll need to enter it when opening the file.

What's the maximum file size I can split?

PDF Wonder Kit's free plan supports files up to 25MB. Premium users can process files up to 100MB.

Can I extract non-consecutive pages?

Yes! With PDF Wonder Kit, you can select any combination of pages — they don't need to be consecutive. Select pages 1, 3, 7, and 15 if you want.

Conclusion

Splitting a PDF doesn't have to be complicated. While there are many methods available — from command-line tools to expensive software — the simplest and safest option for most people is using a modern online tool with client-side processing.

PDF Wonder Kit combines the convenience of online tools with the privacy of local software. Your files never leave your device, there's nothing to install, and it works on any operating system with a web browser.

Ready to try it? Visit pdfwonderkit.com and split your first PDF in less than a minute — for free.