How is this different from other online PDF tools?

Most online PDF tools send your files to a remote server for processing. This tool processes everything locally in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your files are never transmitted to any server, which means your document content stays entirely under your control.

Are my PDF files uploaded?

No. Your files are read directly by your browser. Your files are never transmitted over the network. The tool works entirely within the browser tab you have open.

Can I verify that files are not uploaded?

Yes. Open your browser's developer tools (F12), go to the Network tab, and watch for any outgoing requests while using the tool. You will see no file data leave your browser. The site may record an anonymous page-view count, which never includes your files and can be disabled.

Does this tool work offline?

Yes, once the page has loaded the tool processes your files entirely in your browser; tool functionality needs no network connection. You can disconnect from the internet and continue using it.

What happens when I refresh the page?

Because nothing is stored on a server, refreshing the page clears your current session. Any files you had selected will need to be selected again.

Does this tool store my files?

No. Files are held in browser memory only for as long as the page is open. Closing or refreshing the page discards them. Nothing is written to disk by the tool, and nothing is sent to a server.

Can this tool unlock password-protected PDFs?

No. This tool does not attempt to remove or bypass PDF password protection. If you know the password, the Unlock PDF tool on this site can remove it locally; then this tool can process the file.

What technologies does this tool use?

This tool uses client-side JavaScript and pdf-lib to duplicate each page and limit each copy's visible area to one half — your files never leave your browser.

Does this tool use WebAssembly?

No. This tool uses client-side JavaScript and pdf-lib for local PDF structure editing. No WebAssembly is involved.

How do I split each page of my PDF in half?

Pick a PDF with the file selector, then choose a vertical cut for left and right halves or a horizontal cut for top and bottom halves. Press the split button and save the resulting PDF, which contains twice as many pages, directly from your browser.

In what order do the two halves appear in the output?

A vertical cut places the left half first and the right half second for each original page, which suits left-to-right two-page book scans. A horizontal cut places the top half first and the bottom half second.

Why does the hidden half sometimes reappear in other PDF viewers?

The tool narrows each copy's visible area (its CropBox) rather than deleting the other half's content, so the full original page data stays in the file. A viewer or tool that resets page boxes can reveal the trimmed-away portion, and the saved file is also a bit larger because both halves keep the whole page.

Does it cost anything to use Split Pages in Half?

Split Pages in Half is completely free — no account, no sign-up, and no limit on how many PDFs you run through it, and it always will be. Every cut happens right inside your browser using pdf-lib: your PDF is never sent anywhere, so no server ever sees your pages. Whether you're splitting one two-page book scan or an entire scanned volume into left and right halves, there's nothing to pay and nothing to install.

Split Every PDF Page in Half Privately — In Your Browser

Select a PDF and choose a vertical or horizontal cut; every page is split into two halves and offered as a new PDF download — all locally in your browser.

Quick answer

What it does: Select a PDF and choose a vertical or horizontal cut; every page is split into two halves and offered as a new PDF download — all locally in your browser.
Free?: Yes — 100% free, no account or sign-up.
Files uploaded?: No — everything is processed in your browser.
Works offline?: Yes — once the page has loaded.
Best for: You photographed book spreads two pages at a time — use vertical split to turn each spread into separate left and right pages.
Good to know: Every page is cut exactly in the middle; off-centre gutters in book scans are not detected automatically.

How it works

Select a PDF file from your device using the file picker.
The file is read into browser memory — no data leaves your browser.
Choose a vertical cut (left/right halves) or a horizontal cut (top/bottom halves).
pdf-lib copies each page twice and limits each copy's visible area to one half.
The resulting PDF — with twice the page count — is offered as a download directly from your browser.

When to use this tool

You photographed book spreads two pages at a time — use vertical split to turn each spread into separate left and right pages.
A librarian digitizing pamphlets captured two-page spreads and splits them so each page is catalogued and stored individually.
A student who scanned lecture slides two-per-page splits them back into individual pages for easier reading and annotation.
The cut is always at the exact midpoint; off-center book gutters are not detected, so follow up with the Crop tool if needed.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from other online PDF tools?: Most online PDF tools send your files to a remote server for processing. This tool processes everything locally in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your files are never transmitted to any server, which means your document content stays entirely under your control.
Are my PDF files uploaded?: No. Your files are read directly by your browser. Your files are never transmitted over the network. The tool works entirely within the browser tab you have open.
Can I verify that files are not uploaded?: Yes. Open your browser's developer tools (F12), go to the Network tab, and watch for any outgoing requests while using the tool. You will see no file data leave your browser. The site may record an anonymous page-view count, which never includes your files and can be disabled.
Does this tool work offline?: Yes, once the page has loaded the tool processes your files entirely in your browser; tool functionality needs no network connection. You can disconnect from the internet and continue using it.
What happens when I refresh the page?: Because nothing is stored on a server, refreshing the page clears your current session. Any files you had selected will need to be selected again.
Does this tool store my files?: No. Files are held in browser memory only for as long as the page is open. Closing or refreshing the page discards them. Nothing is written to disk by the tool, and nothing is sent to a server.
Can this tool unlock password-protected PDFs?: No. This tool does not attempt to remove or bypass PDF password protection. If you know the password, the Unlock PDF tool on this site can remove it locally; then this tool can process the file.
What technologies does this tool use?: This tool uses client-side JavaScript and pdf-lib to duplicate each page and limit each copy's visible area to one half — your files never leave your browser.
Does this tool use WebAssembly?: No. This tool uses client-side JavaScript and pdf-lib for local PDF structure editing. No WebAssembly is involved.
How do I split each page of my PDF in half?: Pick a PDF with the file selector, then choose a vertical cut for left and right halves or a horizontal cut for top and bottom halves. Press the split button and save the resulting PDF, which contains twice as many pages, directly from your browser.
In what order do the two halves appear in the output?: A vertical cut places the left half first and the right half second for each original page, which suits left-to-right two-page book scans. A horizontal cut places the top half first and the bottom half second.
Why does the hidden half sometimes reappear in other PDF viewers?: The tool narrows each copy's visible area (its CropBox) rather than deleting the other half's content, so the full original page data stays in the file. A viewer or tool that resets page boxes can reveal the trimmed-away portion, and the saved file is also a bit larger because both halves keep the whole page.
Does it cost anything to use Split Pages in Half?: Split Pages in Half is completely free — no account, no sign-up, and no limit on how many PDFs you run through it, and it always will be. Every cut happens right inside your browser using pdf-lib: your PDF is never sent anywhere, so no server ever sees your pages. Whether you're splitting one two-page book scan or an entire scanned volume into left and right halves, there's nothing to pay and nothing to install.