Split a PDF into separate files
One file per page, or chunks of any size — packed into a single ZIP.
Free: 3 jobs per UTC day, 25 MB per file. PDF exports include a visible Made with Bindery watermark. Pro exports clean PDFs.
Prefer the full studio? Open Split PDF in the app →
Bindery shows every page of your PDF with a badge telling you exactly which output file it will land in, so you can see the split before it happens. Choose “every page” to burst the document completely, or “every N pages” to cut a long report into even parts.
The parts are packed into one ZIP on your device. Bindery runs entirely in your browser — your file is never uploaded, so there is nothing to delete from a server afterwards.
How it works
- Drop your PDF and open the Split tool
- Choose every page, or set a chunk size
- Download all parts as one ZIP
Three ways to split, and when each fits
Split is for cutting a document into pieces by a rule. Choose every page when each page is its own document — invoices exported as one file, certificates, scanned letters. Choose every N pages when a report has a regular rhythm, such as four-page statements or two-page forms. Choose under a size when a portal or mail server caps attachments: Bindery cuts the file into consecutive parts that each stay below the limit you type, whether that is 10 MB or 25 MB.
When the cut points are not regular — chapters, sections, the pages that belong to one client — use Extract pages with ranges like 1-4, 9, 12-15 instead, and repeat for each part. The split by chapter page walks through that.
What the parts contain
Each part is a complete, standalone PDF: the pages it holds plus only the fonts, images and resources those pages use. Text stays selectable and images keep their resolution because pages are copied, not re-rendered. The parts are numbered and named after the original file, packed into one ZIP on your device. Bookmarks, form fields and document metadata belong to the whole document and are not carried into the parts — flatten a form first if its answers must survive the split.
Very large files behave differently on purpose. A PDF over 200 MB opens in big-file mode, where Split and Extract stream the file instead of loading it into memory; the parts are made by slicing the original, which is fast but does not carry forms, bookmarks or metadata.
Splitting in the browser versus uploading
| Split PDF | Bindery | Upload-based tools |
|---|---|---|
| Where the file is processed | In your browser tab, on your device | Uploaded to the service’s servers |
| Preview | Every page shows a badge with the part it will land in | Usually no preview before the split |
| Size-based split | Parts under a size you type, computed from your file | Rarely offered |
| Large files | Files over 200 MB stream in big-file mode (Pro) | Upload limits usually stop first |
| What exists afterwards | The original and the new file, both on your device | A server copy until the retention window ends |
| Works offline | Yes, once the app has loaded | No |
Before you split
- Check the badges. Each thumbnail shows which output file it belongs to, so a wrong chunk size is visible before you run anything.
- If the reason for splitting is size, try Compress first: a single smaller file is easier for the recipient than three parts.
- Sideways or upside-down pages? Fix them with Rotate before splitting so every part opens the right way up.
- Keep the original. The parts are new files; nothing is removed from the source.
Questions people ask
How are the split files delivered?
As a single ZIP archive, built in your browser. Each part is named after the original file plus its page or part number.
Can I split at specific pages instead of even chunks?
For hand-picked pages, use the Extract pages tool — click the exact pages you want on a visual board and pull them into a new PDF.
Is my document uploaded?
No — the split runs locally in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Can I split a PDF into files under a specific size?
Yes. Choose “Under a size”, type the limit — 5 MB, 10 MB, 25 MB — and Bindery cuts the document into consecutive parts that each stay below it, measured from your actual file rather than estimated.
How do I split a PDF by chapters or sections?
Use Extract pages with a range for each chapter, such as 1-12 for the first and 13-30 for the second, and download each as its own PDF. Split handles regular rules; Extract handles hand-picked ranges.
Will the split parts keep bookmarks and form fields?
No. Bookmarks, form fields and metadata belong to the whole document and are not carried into the parts. Flatten a filled form first if the answers must be visible in every part.