1-10, 22, 30-35). You get one output PDF per range, delivered as a ZIP.
Splitting by range is the most flexible split mode. It covers everything from "give me page 7" to "split this report into the executive summary, the methodology, and the appendix" in a single action. Here is how the syntax works and what to do when ranges overlap or run past the end of the file.
Custom Ranges, Zero Friction
PDF Merge & Split runs entirely in your browser. No account, no upload, no watermark.
Add to Chrome, FreeRange syntax
The extension accepts standard range notation:
5, single page.1-10, pages 1 through 10 inclusive.1-10, 22, 30-35, three ranges in one job. Output is three files.1-end, page 1 to the last page.1-5, 10-end, two ranges with the second going to the end.
Whitespace between commas is ignored. Ranges may be specified out of order, the output files preserve the order you typed.
What happens when ranges overlap
Overlapping ranges (1-10, 5-15) are allowed. The output contains two files: pages 1-10 in the first, pages 5-15 in the second. Pages 5-10 appear in both because that is what you asked for. The extension does not deduplicate or warn unless the entire range is identical to another.
Out-of-bounds ranges
If a range runs past the end of the PDF, the extension truncates silently to the actual last page. So 1-1000 on a 50-page PDF produces one output of pages 1-50. A range that starts past the end (500-600 on a 50-page file) produces no output for that range and a warning in the UI.
Output file naming
Each range produces a file named after the range, prefixed with the source basename:
annual-report-pages-1-10.pdfannual-report-page-22.pdf(single page)annual-report-pages-30-35.pdf
If you have a custom prefix in mind, you can override the basename in Split settings before download.
Common range workflows
- Extracting one chapter. Look up the page range in the source's table of contents, type it in.
- Pulling apart a court filing. Each exhibit is a range, type all of them comma-separated.
- Splitting an exam paper. Question, answer key, and rubric each as their own range.
- Quick page extract. Just type a single number for one-page extraction.
How to Split a PDF by Page Range, Tools Compared
| Tool | Range syntax | Multiple ranges per job | Out-of-bounds handling | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDF Merge & Split (extension) | Full | Yes | Truncates silently | Free |
| iLovePDF (web) | Limited | Yes | Errors out | Free tier |
| Smallpdf (web) | Limited | No | Errors out | Free tier |
| qpdf (CLI) | Full | Yes | Errors out | Free |
| Adobe Acrobat Pro | Full | Yes | Truncates | $14.99/mo |
Get It Done in Under a Minute
Install the free Chrome extension and process your PDFs locally. Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook.
Add PDF Merge & Split to ChromeRelated Guides
- Split a PDF Into Individual Pages
- Split PDF Academic Papers
- Extract PDF Pages Without a Watermark
- PDF Splitter With No Installation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I split into one file per range or one file with all ranges concatenated?
Both are supported. By default each range produces a separate output, but check "Combine ranges into one file" in Split settings to merge them in the order you typed.
How do I split every other page?
Range syntax does not support "every Nth page" directly. Use "Every page" mode, then merge the odd or even outputs you want.
What if my page numbers are not 1-based?
PDF page numbers in the spec are always 1-based, regardless of any custom numbering shown in the document footer. Type the actual page index, not the displayed roman numeral or chapter offset.
Can I split a 1,000-page PDF this way?
Yes. The extension handles up to several thousand pages on a typical laptop. Render time scales linearly.
Do range splits preserve searchable text?
Yes. Splits are byte-level and never re-encode page content, so OCR layers and embedded text stay intact in each output.
