How to Split PDF into Equal Parts
(2, 3, 5 Sections Easily) – 2026 Guide
Need to split a textbook into 3 chapters? A report into 5 sections? A contract into 2 halves?
You don't need Adobe Acrobat or complicated software. Split any PDF into 2, 3, or 5 equal parts in seconds – free, online, and works on any device. Here's exactly how to do it with PDFSwift and other tools [citation:1][citation:2][citation:6].
⚡ Quick Steps: Split PDF into Equal Parts
Total time: About 1-2 minutes for most documents.
📊 PDF Splitting Methods Compared
| Method | Description | Best For | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split by intervals (every N pages) | Divide PDF into sections of equal page count (e.g., every 10 pages) [citation:1][citation:3] | Creating equal-sized chunks when you know how many pages per section | 30-page PDF, interval 10 → 3 files (10 pages each) |
| Split by number of sections | Split into a specific number of equal parts (2, 3, 5, etc.) [citation:6] | When you need exactly X sections regardless of page count | 25-page PDF, 5 sections → 5 files (5 pages each) |
| Split by page ranges | Custom ranges for uneven splits (e.g., 1-10, 11-20, 21-25) [citation:4][citation:7] | When sections need different page counts or you want specific grouping | Pages 1-8 (Chapter 1), 9-15 (Chapter 2), 16-25 (Chapter 3) |
| Split every page | Each page becomes its own PDF file [citation:1][citation:4] | Extracting individual pages for separate use | 10-page PDF → 10 files |
📋 Practical Examples: Split into Equal Parts
Split into 2 equal halves
Total pages: 20
Method: Split by number of sections: 2
File 1: pages 1-10, File 2: pages 11-20
Split into 3 equal parts
Total pages: 30
Method: Split by intervals: 10 pages
File 1: pages 1-10, File 2: pages 11-20, File 3: pages 21-30
Split into 5 equal parts (odd total)
Total pages: 27
Method: Split by number of sections: 5
Files with 6,6,5,5,5 pages (distributed evenly) [citation:8]
Split textbook into chapters
Total pages: 150
Method: Split by page ranges: 1-30, 31-60, 61-90, 91-120, 121-150
5 files matching chapter boundaries
🌐 Method 1: Using Online PDF Splitters (Easiest)
Online tools work on any device – no installation required. Here's how to use them:
Choose your tool
PDFSwift, Aspose Splitter, PDF Candy, or Soda PDF – all free [citation:1][citation:2][citation:4].
Upload your PDF
Drag and drop or click to select your file [citation:4].
Select split mode
Choose "Split by number of sections" or "Split by intervals" [citation:2][citation:6].
Enter your number
For 2 parts → enter 2. For 3 parts → enter 3. For 5 parts → enter 5 [citation:6].
Split and download
Click split, wait a few seconds, download ZIP with all files [citation:2][citation:8].
Pro tip: PDFSwift processes files locally in your browser – they never leave your device. Other tools delete files after 24 hours [citation:2][citation:8].
🌐 Method 2: Using Google Chrome (Built-in, No Apps)
You can split PDFs using Chrome's Print to PDF feature – completely free and no extra software [citation:4].
Note: This method requires manual work for each part. For automatic splitting, use dedicated tools [citation:4].
📱 Method 3: Split PDF on Mobile (iPhone & Android)
iPhone (Online)
Open PDFSwift in Safari, upload from Files or Photos, split into 2/3/5 parts, download ZIP. No app needed [citation:4].
Alternative: Use iOS Print tool for manual splitting [citation:4]
Android (Online)
Use PDFSwift in Chrome, upload from storage, split, download. Works on any Android browser [citation:4].
Alternative: PDF Splitter apps from Play Store
💻 Method 4: Desktop Software (For Large Files)
PDF Candy Desktop (Windows)
Download free desktop app. Supports splitting by number of sections, intervals, or page ranges. Works offline, no file size limits [citation:4].
Preview (Mac)
Built-in Mac app. Use Thumbnails view, select pages, drag to desktop to create new PDFs. Manual but works offline [citation:4].
Stirling-PDF (Self-hosted)
Open source, locally hosted web app with 50+ PDF operations. Perfect for enterprises and privacy-conscious users [citation:9].
Soda PDF (Windows)
Desktop app with split by interval, page range, or file size. Right-click integration for quick access [citation:3].
🔢 How "Split by Intervals" Works
"Split by intervals" (or "Split every N pages") divides your PDF into chunks of equal page count [citation:1][citation:3][citation:8].
Example 1: Every 5 pages
25-page PDF → 5 files (5 pages each)
File1: 1-5, File2: 6-10, File3: 11-15, File4: 16-20, File5: 21-25
Example 2: Every 10 pages
32-page PDF → 4 files (10,10,10,2 pages)
Last file contains remaining pages [citation:3][citation:8]
For equal parts: Calculate interval = total pages ÷ number of parts. Example: 30 pages ÷ 3 = 10 pages per file [citation:6].
🔢 How "Split by Number of Sections" Works
This mode automatically calculates how many pages go into each file to create the exact number of sections you want [citation:6].
Formula: Pages per file = total pages ÷ number of sections (rounded). Extra pages go to first files [citation:8].
Questions People Actually Ask
How do I split a PDF into 2 equal parts?
Upload your PDF to a splitter tool like PDFSwift. Choose 'Split by number of sections' and enter 2. The tool will divide the document into two halves. If the PDF has an odd number of pages, the first half gets one extra page (e.g., 13 pages → 7 and 6) [citation:6][citation:8]. For a 20-page PDF, you'll get File 1: pages 1-10, File 2: pages 11-20.
Can I split a PDF into 3 equal parts for free?
Yes, completely free. Use online tools like PDFSwift, Aspose Splitter, or PDF Candy. Upload your file, select 'Split by number of sections' and enter 3. The tool automatically distributes pages into three files. For a 30-page PDF, you'll get three 10-page files. For a 25-page PDF, you'll get files with 9, 8, and 8 pages [citation:2][citation:6][citation:8].
What if my PDF doesn't split evenly (e.g., 25 pages into 3 parts)?
Most tools handle this automatically. They distribute pages as evenly as possible – the first files get one extra page if needed. For 25 pages into 3 parts, you'll get files with 9, 8, and 8 pages. The content order is preserved, and no pages are lost. This is standard behavior for all major PDF splitters [citation:8].
Can I split a PDF into 5 parts on my phone?
Yes, works on iPhone and Android. Open PDFSwift in your mobile browser, upload from phone storage, choose split by number of sections (5), and download the ZIP file. No app needed. For iPhone, you can also use the Files app with built-in PDF tools or the Print method for manual splitting [citation:4].
Is there a file size limit for splitting PDFs?
Most free online tools accept up to 50-100MB per file [citation:4][citation:8]. For larger files, use desktop software like PDF Candy Desktop or Stirling-PDF which have no size limits. PDFSwift processes files locally in your browser, so very large files may be slower but still work [citation:9]. Some tools also offer premium plans for larger files.
Will splitting a PDF reduce quality?
No, splitting does not compress or re-encode the content. Each split file maintains the exact quality and resolution of the original. Pages are simply copied into new files without any quality loss [citation:8]. This applies to all splitting methods – online tools, desktop software, and Chrome's Print to PDF.
Can I split a password-protected PDF?
You need the password first. Most online tools will prompt for password when you upload a protected file. Enter the password, then split normally. If you don't have the password, you cannot edit or split the file [citation:8]. Some desktop tools like Stirling-PDF support password removal if you have the password [citation:9].
What's the difference between splitting and extracting?
Splitting divides a PDF into multiple files, each containing a range of pages (e.g., 1-10, 11-20). Extracting creates a new PDF from specific pages while keeping the original intact. For equal parts, you want splitting. For pulling out specific chapters, you might want extraction [citation:6]. Most tools offer both options.
What Actually Matters
- Split into 2 parts: Use "Split by number of sections: 2" [citation:6]
- Split into 3 parts: Use "Split by number of sections: 3" [citation:6]
- Split into 5 parts: Use "Split by number of sections: 5" [citation:6]
- Uneven pages? Tools distribute evenly – first files get extra pages [citation:8]
- No quality loss – splitting just copies pages [citation:8]
- Works on phone – no app needed [citation:4]
Split Your PDF into Equal Parts Now
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