Split PDF by bookmarks
Make one file per chapter or section, named after the bookmark.
or drop files here
Free: files up to 200 MB · 1 file per task · 15 of 15 free tasks left today. See plans
Files are encrypted in transit and deleted after 2 hours. You can delete them sooner.
Split PDF by bookmarks cuts a PDF wherever a bookmark starts, so each chapter or section becomes its own PDF named after the bookmark.
How to split a PDF by bookmarks in 3 steps
- 1
Choose a PDF that has bookmarks, or drop it on the page.
- 2
Pick the bookmark level (1, 2 or 3) and, if you like, only bookmarks containing certain text.
- 3
Select Split PDF, then download the ZIP or single files.
What can Split PDF by bookmarks do?
- Split at level 1, 2 or 3 of the bookmark tree.
- Only split at bookmarks that contain text you enter.
- Files are named from the bookmark with the pattern [FILENUMBER]_[BOOKMARK_NAME].
- Order of files follows the order of the document.
- Runs on our servers; files are deleted after 2 hours.
- Free for files up to 200 MB, within the free daily server task quota.
How do I split a PDF by bookmarks?
Split PDF by bookmarks reads the bookmarks of your PDF (also called the outline) and starts a new file at each one, so every chapter of a report, manual or e-book becomes its own PDF. Each file starts at a bookmark and ends before the next bookmark at the same level. If chapters end on the page where the next bookmark starts, turn on adding one extra page at the end of each part.
Which bookmark level should I choose?
Choose level 1 to split by chapters, and level 2 or 3 to split at nested sections as well. Level 1 gives the biggest parts. To leave out bookmarks you don't need, enter text and only matching bookmarks are used as split points.
How are the files named?
Each file is named after its bookmark with the default pattern [FILENUMBER]_[BOOKMARK_NAME], so files sort in document order and carry the chapter title. This mode runs on our servers and files are deleted after 2 hours.
No bookmarks in your file? Use Split PDF by page ranges, or Split PDF by text for batches of invoices or letters.
Frequently asked questions
How do I split a PDF by chapters?
If each chapter has a bookmark, choose bookmark level 1 and select Split PDF. Each chapter becomes its own file, running from its bookmark to the page before the next one.
What if my PDF has no bookmarks?
This mode needs bookmarks to find the split points. If there are none, split by page ranges or by text instead.
What do bookmark levels 1, 2 and 3 mean?
Level 1 is the top of the bookmark tree, usually chapters. Level 2 also splits at sub-sections, and level 3 goes one step deeper.
Can I split only at some bookmarks?
Yes. Enter text and only bookmarks containing it become split points, so you can skip entries such as Appendix or Index.
Is my PDF uploaded when I split by bookmarks?
Yes. This mode runs on our servers because it reads the bookmark structure. Files are encrypted in transit and deleted after 2 hours, and you can delete them sooner with one click.
How are the chapter files named?
The default pattern is [FILENUMBER]_[BOOKMARK_NAME], for example 01_Introduction.pdf. You can edit the pattern.
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Last updated October 23, 2026