---
title: "How to Split a PDF on Mac: by Page, Range or Size"
description: "Split a PDF into single pages, page ranges or email-sized parts on your Mac. Fast, offline, and the original stays untouched."
url: https://sheafai.app/split-pdf-mac
---

PDF tool for Mac

# Split a PDF on Mac any way you need.

Pull out pages 3–7, save every page on its own, or cut a huge scan into parts small enough to email.

[Download for Mac](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6830258390)

**Free 7-day trial** · then one purchase, no subscription · macOS 14+

**In short:** To split a PDF on a Mac, drag it, pause and choose Split in Sheaf, then pick every page, a page range, or email-sized parts. New files appear next to the original. In Preview you can drag thumbnails to the desktop or print a page range to PDF.Updated 13 November 2026

**Stays on your Mac**No upload, works offline

**No account**Nothing to sign up for

**Originals untouched**Every result is a new file

**One-time purchase**No subscription

How it works

## Split PDF in three moves.

No app to open, no window to find. It happens where the file already is.

1. **Drag**

Start dragging the file from Finder, Mail, Photos or your desktop.

2. **Pause**

Hold still for a moment. Sheaf’s actions open in a circle around your cursor.

3. **Let go on Split**

Choose single pages, a range like 3–7, or parts under your email size limit.

Your options on a Mac

## Three ways to do it, honestly compared.

### Preview (built in)

Drag thumbnails to the desktop, or Print › page range › Save as PDF.

- Free and built in
- One range at a time
- No split by file size

### Online PDF sites

Upload the file to a website, wait, download the result.

- Your document goes to someone else’s server
- Free plans limit files, size or tasks per day
- Needs an internet connection

### SheafFastest

Drag the file, pause, let go.

- Every page, a range, or by size
- Email-sized parts in one step
- Original stays untouched

## Three ways to split

- **Every page**: one PDF per page, numbered in order.
- **Page range**: type pages like 3–7 to pull exactly those into a new file.
- **By size**: parts that each fit your email limit (25 MB by default; change it in Settings).

## Splitting vs. compressing

If a file is just a little too big, [compress it](https://sheafai.app/compress-pdf-mac) first: one file is easier for the person receiving it. Split when the file is huge even after compressing, like a 300-page scanned archive, or when the receiver only needs some pages.

## Removing pages instead

To delete a few pages and keep the rest as one file, use [Organize](https://sheafai.app/organize-pdf-pages-mac): select the pages and delete them, then save.

**Sheaf for Mac**

Every PDF tool, right where you drag the file.

- Works offline
- Originals never changed
- Undo any result
- One purchase, no subscription
[Download for Mac](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6830258390)

## Questions

How do I split a PDF into separate pages on a Mac?

In Sheaf, drag the PDF, choose Split › Every page. In Preview, drag each thumbnail from the sidebar to the desktop.

How do I extract certain pages from a PDF on a Mac?

Choose Split › Page range in Sheaf and type the pages you want, like 3–7.

Can I split a PDF by file size?

Yes. Sheaf’s Split › By size makes parts under your email limit, 25 MB by default.

Keep going

## Related tools and guides

[**Compress PDF**

Shrink scans and decks, keep text sharp.
](https://sheafai.app/compress-pdf-mac)[**Reorder & delete pages**

Across several PDFs, then save one.
](https://sheafai.app/organize-pdf-pages-mac)[**Merge PDFs**

PDFs and images into one file, with bookmarks.
](https://sheafai.app/merge-pdf-mac)[**PDF too big to email?**

Get under 25 MB, or split into parts.
](https://sheafai.app/compress-pdf-for-email-mac)[**PDF to JPG**

Every page as a JPEG or PNG.
](https://sheafai.app/pdf-to-jpg-mac)[**Best PDF apps for Mac**

Eight apps compared, with prices.
](https://sheafai.app/best-pdf-apps-for-mac)

## Your next PDF takes one second.

Drag it, pause, let go. Free for 7 days, then yours with one purchase. Family Sharing included.
[Download for Mac](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6830258390)

Mac App Store · macOS 14 or later · Apple silicon and Intel