How to split a PDF without Acrobat

You don't need paid software to split a PDF. Here are the free methods for every device, and when each one makes sense.

Open the tool: Split PDF

In any browser (all devices)

The tool on this page works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari on computers and phones. It is the quickest way to make several files at once, and the PDF stays on your device.

Windows: Microsoft Print to PDF

  • Open the PDF in Edge or another PDF viewer and press Ctrl+P.
  • Choose Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.
  • Under Pages, enter the range, for example 3-7.
  • Click Print and save the new file. Repeat for each part.

Mac: Preview

  • Open the PDF in Preview and choose View > Thumbnails.
  • Select the pages you want, then drag them to the desktop. Each drag creates a new PDF.
  • Or choose File > Print, set the page range and click PDF > Save as PDF.

iPhone and Android

On iPhone, open the PDF in Files, tap Share > Print, pinch out on the preview of the pages you want and save it. On Android, open it in Chrome or Drive, tap Print, choose Save as PDF and set the pages. For many parts at once, use this page in the phone's browser.

Splitting by file size

Portals often limit uploads to a few MB. Split with Every N pages and lower N until each part is small enough. If a single page is already too large, compress the PDF instead.