In this article
A 120-page annual report when you only need the balance sheet. A 40-page contract when the client asks for the signature page. A full textbook PDF when you only need chapter 3. Extracting pages is one of the most common PDF tasks — and one of the easiest once you know the syntax.
Extract vs split vs delete
These three tasks overlap, so it helps to pick the right one:
| You want to… | Use |
|---|---|
| Keep a few pages and drop the rest | Extract (split) the pages you want |
| Remove a few pages and keep most | Delete those pages |
| Break a big file into several smaller files | Split into ranges or one file per page |
All three leave your original PDF untouched and create a new file.
Page range syntax
Most PDF tools — including ours — use the same simple format:
| You type | You get |
|---|---|
5 | Page 5 only |
1-3 | Pages 1, 2 and 3 |
1-3, 7, 10-12 | Pages 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 11, 12 |
3, 1, 2 | Pages 3, 1, 2 — in that order |
5-2 | Pages 5, 4, 3, 2 (reversed) |
Because pages come out in the order you type them, extracting is also a quick way to reorder a PDF: type 1, 4, 2, 3 to move page 4 up to second place.
Step by step
- Open the Split PDF tool and choose your file. It shows how many pages the PDF has.
- Type the pages you want, for example
12-15. - Tick “One file per page” if you want each page as a separate PDF.
- Click Extract pages and the new PDF downloads.
- Open it and check the pages are correct.
Practical examples
Sending only the relevant part of a bank statement: a 9-page statement where you need to show salary credits on pages 2 and 6 → type 1, 2, 6 (page 1 usually has your name and account details).
- Job applications: extract the final-year marksheet from a combined “all semesters” PDF.
- Study notes: pull out one chapter from a long textbook PDF.
- Contracts: send the signature page back on its own for signing.
- Upload limits: split a large scanned file into parts that fit a portal’s size limit.
Tips for clean results
- Keep the first page if it identifies the document (name, account number, document title) — readers often need that context.
- Check orientation — rotate sideways pages first so the extracted file reads correctly.
- Name the new file clearly, e.g. Rahul-Sharma-Salary-Slips-Apr-Jun.pdf.
- Don’t extract to hide information dishonestly — for official purposes, institutions may ask for the complete document.
Private and fast
Our Split PDF tool works entirely in your browser, so statements, contracts and certificates never leave your device. Choose the file, type your page ranges, and download the new PDF in seconds.
Free toolTry the Split PDFExtract the pages you need from a PDF into a new file.Frequently asked questions
Can I extract pages from a password-protected PDF?
Not until it's unlocked. Open it with the password in a PDF reader and use Print → Save as PDF to make an unlocked copy, if you're allowed to.
Will page numbers printed on the pages change?
No. Printed page numbers are part of the page content, so an extracted page 7 still shows '7'. Use an add-page-numbers tool if you need new numbering.
How do I save every page as a separate file?
Tick 'One file per page'. Each selected page downloads as its own PDF.
Written by the Toolsopedia team. Spotted an error? Tell us and we’ll fix it.