Split PDF for Email – Create Smaller Attachments That Always Send
Email providers often reject attachments that are too large, which can be frustrating when you need to send an important PDF. Splitting a PDF for email lets you create smaller, easy-to-send files that stay within attachment limits for Gmail, Outlook, and corporate email systems.
Understanding Email Attachment Limits
Most email services restrict the size of attachments. Gmail typically allows up to 25 MB, Outlook around 20 MB, and many business systems are even stricter. If your PDF exceeds these limits, your message may bounce or fail silently.
Instead of compressing heavily and risking quality loss, you can combine splitting and light compression. Use the Split PDF tool to divide your file into smaller sections, then use Compress PDF to further reduce size when necessary.
Step-by-Step: Split a PDF for Email
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Check the Current File Size
Right-click the PDF and view its properties to see the size. Compare this with your email provider's attachment limit to estimate how many parts you may need.
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Upload to the Split PDF Tool
Open the Split PDF tool and upload your document. Drag and drop or browse from your device, and let the tool load all pages.
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Divide the Document into Email-Friendly Parts
Use page ranges to split the PDF into chunks that keep the final file size under the target limit. For example, if the original file is 60 MB, you might create three parts of around 20 MB each.
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Compress Each Part (Optional)
If a part is still slightly too large, run it through the Compress PDF tool using a medium or email-optimized setting. This balances readability with size reduction.
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Attach and Send
Attach the resulting files to separate emails or send multiple attachments in a single message, depending on your provider's total limit. Clearly label each file so recipients understand the order.
Best Practices for Email-Friendly PDFs
Use Descriptive File Names
After splitting, rename each PDF to indicate its content and order, such as Proposal-Part-1.pdf, Proposal-Part-2.pdf, or Report-Section-A.pdf. This helps recipients stay organized.
Consider What the Recipient Really Needs
Often, your contact does not need the entire original document. Use Split PDF to send only the chapters, sections, or appendices that are relevant to them.
Combine Email with Cloud Links
For very large projects, you can split and compress PDFs for key sections, then share the full document via cloud storage if needed. This keeps email attachments lean while still offering access to the complete file.
Frequently Asked Questions About Splitting PDFs for Email
How small should each PDF be for email?
As a rule of thumb, aim for attachments under 15–20 MB to maintain compatibility with most systems. For corporate email, staying below 10 MB per file is often safest.
Is it better to compress or split for email?
In many cases, a combination works best. First split the file using Split PDF, then lightly compress each part using Compress PDF if required.
Can I reassemble the file after emailing it?
Yes. The recipient can use the Merge PDF tool to recombine all parts into a single document after downloading them.
What if my company uses strict email filters?
For organizations with tight limits or attachment restrictions, share smaller, critical sections by email and provide links to cloud storage for full versions or supporting documents.