PDFMaxSplit PDF by Bookmarks Into Chapters
Got a long PDF with a table of contents — a book, report, manual, or dissertation — and need each chapter as its own file? PDFMax splits a PDF by its bookmarks, turning every outline entry into a separate document. Pick the bookmark level you want to split at, and each section becomes a clean, standalone PDF named for easy sorting. It's completely free, with no signup and no software to install. The tool runs right in your browser on mobile or desktop, so your file stays on your device. Upload, choose a level, and download your chapters in seconds.
Split PDF by Bookmarks →100% freeNo signupWorks in your browser
Why PDFMax
- Splits automatically by the bookmarks already in your PDF — no manual page-picking
- Choose the bookmark level: top-level chapters or deeper sections
- Output files keep the original text, layout, and quality with no watermarks
- Free with no signup or install — works in any browser on mobile and desktop
How to split PDF by bookmarks
- Upload your PDFDrag and drop your PDF onto the page or click to select it from your device. The file must already contain bookmarks (an outline or table of contents).
- Choose the bookmark levelPick which bookmark level to split at — for example, top-level entries to break a book into chapters, or a deeper level for sections.
- Split the fileStart the split. PDFMax reads the bookmark tree and creates a separate PDF for each entry at the chosen level.
- Download your chaptersDownload the resulting files, named after their bookmarks, individually or as a single archive.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to use?
Yes. Splitting a PDF by bookmarks on PDFMax is completely free. There's no signup, no subscription, and no watermark added to your files.
Is my file safe and private?
The tool runs in your browser and is designed to keep your document private. You don't need to create an account, and nothing is shared with anyone.
Do I need to install anything?
No. There's nothing to download or install. It works directly in any modern web browser on Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. The tool works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Just open the page in your browser and upload your PDF.
My PDF has no bookmarks — will it work?
This tool splits using the bookmarks already in the file, so the PDF needs an outline or table of contents. If yours has none, use a regular page-range or page-count split instead.
Will the split files lose quality?
No. Each chapter keeps the original text, fonts, images, and layout exactly as in the source PDF — the pages are not re-rendered or compressed.