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Split by bookmarks

Extract chapters to separate documents based on the PDF bookmarks.

Uses the document's bookmarks: each chapter becomes a separate file.

or drop a PDF here

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Files stay private. Automatically deleted after 2 hours.

Step by step

How To Split a PDF by Bookmarks

Turn the document's own table of contents into the cut list — every bookmark at the level you pick starts a new file, named after its title.

  1. 1

    Upload your PDF

    Drop in a document with bookmarks and its outline fills a grey contents box — foldable to the children. No bookmarks yet? The Create Bookmarks tool opens your file ready to write them. Files are deleted after 2 hours.

    The Split by bookmarks contents box: three chapter bookmarks, the first expanded to its two sub-sections
  2. 2

    Pick the level and filter

    Level buttons reach as deep as the document nests: 1 cuts at chapters, 2 at their sub-sections. “Contains text” narrows the cuts to bookmarks whose title holds a word — “Chapter”, “Part”, an address.

    Bookmark level buttons 1 and 2 with 1 selected, the Contains text (optional) box with its “Example: Chapter” placeholder, above the Split by bookmarks and More options buttons
  3. 3

    Split and download

    Press Split by bookmarks — each part runs from its bookmark's page to the page before the next one, so nothing is lost. If a chapter's last paragraphs spill onto the next bookmark's page, More options adds one extra page at the end. Parts come back in one ZIP named [FILENUMBER]_[BOOKMARK_NAME].

    More options open on two panels: Missing paragraphs at the end with its Include extra page at the end checkbox, and Customize result names with [FILENUMBER]_[BOOKMARK_NAME]
  • The document writes the cut list

    Every bookmark at your chosen level starts a section — the contents box is the plan.

  • Any nesting depth

    Level buttons reach as deep as the document nests — chapters or the sub-sections inside them.

  • Contains text

    Split only at bookmarks whose title holds a word, like “Chapter” — the rest stay put.

  • Names from the bookmarks

    [BOOKMARK_NAME] puts each bookmark's title on its file: 1_Getting started.pdf, 2_…

  • One ZIP back

    Every part downloads together in a single ZIP; a lone bookmark returns one PDF.

  • Private by default

    No account, no watermark — and every file is automatically deleted after 2 hours.

Split by bookmarks — frequently asked questions

Does it use the PDF's own bookmarks?

Yes — the tool reads the document's outline and splits at the level you choose, so each chapter or section becomes a file without any manual page counting.

Is Split by bookmarks free?

Yes — Split by bookmarks is free right here in your browser, with no watermark and no sign-up. Every tool on the site works the same way.

Do I need an account to use Split by bookmarks?

No. Accounts are optional — they keep your credits, API keys and settings together. The tools work signed-out.

What happens to my file?

Every upload is stored under an unguessable id and deleted automatically after 2 hours. Nothing is listed, shared or emailed anywhere.

Can I run Split by bookmarks from the API?

Yes — every tool has a REST endpoint. An API call for this tool costs 10 credits per file; browser use stays free. See the Plans & pricing page for plans and the API page for the endpoint list.

More answers on the Help page. Building with the API? Plans & pricing.