Upload a PDF and cut the content of each pagehorizontally (top / bottom) and vertically (left / right)into equal parts. Both directions can be used together — one cut each turns a page into four. Commonly used for two-up book scans, A3 impositions and two-column handouts. You can limit it to a page range and choose whether to keep the original page. All processing happens locally in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
Drop a PDF file here
or click this area to pick a .pdf file
HorizontalCuts across the page into rows (N cuts = N+1 rows)
VerticalCuts down the page into columns (M cuts = M+1 columns)
Result
Apply to
Originalswhen unchecked, the pieces are placed directly after the original page
Preview (page through the whole file; a red dashed line marks the pages that will be split)
Page 1
Processing…
How to use: 1. A horizontal cut runs along a horizontal line, dividing the page into rows; a vertical cut runs down the page, dividing it into columns. Both can be used together. 2. The number of cuts in each direction is exactly that — a count of cuts, so N cuts give N+1 pieces. N horizontal cuts combined with M vertical ones produce (N+1)×(M+1) pieces; one cut each way, for example, gives 4. 3. Enter 0 for a direction to leave it uncut — but the two cannot both be 0. 4. “Custom pages” accepts individual pages and ranges, for example 1-3,5,8; page numbers start at 1. 5. By default the page that was cut is removed; untick the box and it is kept, with its pieces following straight after it. 6. Everything is processed locally in your browser — your PDF is never uploaded.
About cutting one PDF page into several
When you need to cut a page open
Scans are the usual case. Scan an open book spread by spread and every page of the resulting PDF actually holds two pages side by side. Handouts and meeting material are often imposed onto A3, putting two pages of text on one sheet. Slides printed as handouts can carry four or six per sheet. These files look short, but hold two to six times as much content as the page count suggests. Cutting each page along its original layout restores one page per screen, so that reading, annotating and citing page numbers all line up again.
Why two-up scans are painful on phones and e-readers
A two-up scan is usually landscape, while phones and e-ink readers are portrait. Fit the whole sheet on screen and each individual page gets half the width, far too small to read. Zoom in and you are dragging sideways for every line, then dragging back to start the next one. Once cut, each page fills the portrait screen exactly: you just turn pages, with no zooming and no panning. This is the single most worthwhile step before loading a scanned book onto a reader.
Cutting, cropping and splitting into files are three different things
Cutting slices a page's layout down the middle, turning one page into two or four: the page count goes up and none of the content is lost. Cropping trims the white margins or the running head off the edges: the page count stays the same, and what you trimmed is gone. Splitting into files divides one PDF into several separate files by page number: pages and layout are untouched, only the number of files changes. All three get called "splitting" in casual usage, but they solve different problems — use cutting when two pages are crammed into one, cropping when the margins are too wide, and the third one when you need to send a few pages on their own.
What usually comes after cutting
The result is a new PDF with the pages ordered left-then-right or top-then-bottom, ready to read as it is. If you then want to pull out a few pages to send on their own, use Merge PDF and upload just that one file, entering the pages you want to keep in the page range — the export is exactly the extract. The same tool handles joining several cut documents back into one.
FAQ
I want to split a PDF into several files, or extract just a few pages — can this tool do that?
No, those are two different things.This tool cuts the page itself: it slices a whole page down the middle so that one page becomes two or four, and the page count goes up. That is what you want for two-up book scans and A3 impositions. If instead you want to split a PDF by page number, or keep only pages 3 to 5, use Merge PDF: upload just that one file and enter 3-5in its page range — the export is exactly the pages you picked.
Does this tool upload my PDF to a server?
No. Reading the file, rendering the preview, cutting the pages and exporting the result all happen locally in your browser, and the page never uploads your PDF — so contracts, internal material and unpublished documents are safe here.
What is the difference between a horizontal and a vertical cut, and can I use both?
A horizontal cut runs along a horizontal line, separating the page into upper and lower rows — useful for pulling apart two-up layouts and imposition sheets. A vertical cut runs down the page into left and right columns, which is the usual way to turn a landscape spread (a scanned two-page book spread, say) into two separate pages. Use both together and the page is cut into a grid, rows first, then columns.
How does the number of cuts translate into the number of pieces?
The number of cuts is literally how many times the page is cut, so in one direction you get one more piece than cuts: 1 horizontal cut gives 2 rows, 2 cuts give 3 rows. With both directions set, the total is rows multiplied by columns — 1 horizontal and 1 vertical cut give 2 rows × 2 columns = 4 pieces. Enter 0 for a direction to leave it uncut.
Can I split only certain pages?
Yes. Choose “Custom pages” and type in the page numbers; individual pages and ranges can be mixed freely, for example 1-3,5,8 meaning pages 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8. Page numbers start at 1, and any page you don't list is left exactly as it was.
Can I keep the original pages after splitting?
Yes. By default the pieces replace the page they came from; untick “Remove the original page after splitting” and the original is kept, with its pieces immediately after it so you can compare them.
Does splitting reduce sharpness or damage the text?
No. The split is done by cropping the visible area of the page rather than by converting anything to an image, so the original vector graphics and selectable text are preserved and the result is exactly as sharp as the source.
Why can some PDFs not be processed?
A PDF with an open password cannot be read, and the page will say so explicitly — remove the password protection with another tool first. Files that some software (WPS, for instance) labels “encrypted” but that open without a password are handled automatically and split as normal.
Are scans and rotated pages cut correctly?
Yes. The preview draws the cut lines in the page's actual display orientation, and the tool factors the page rotation into where it cuts — so “horizontal” and “vertical” always mean what you see in the preview.