How to merge PDF files
Add two or more local PDFs, put them in the order you need, and download one merged PDF. Each file can use a page range, and each file with selected pages can get one flat bookmark pointing to its first page. The preview shows the selected pages in merge order. Pages keep their source size and rotation, and the files stay in the browser during processing.
Steps to combine PDF files
- Drop two or more PDFs into Drop PDF files here, or select browse files.
- Put readable files in order by dragging a row or selecting Move up and Move down. Select Remove for a file you do not want.
- Enter page numbers or ranges in Pages for any file that needs a partial selection.
- Leave Add one bookmark per file, pointing at that file's first merged page selected to create flat file-level bookmarks, then edit the generated titles if needed.
- Select Merge to render Page preview (final merge order). Select Merge PDFs, check Merge report, and select Download merged.pdf.
How PDF page ranges are combined
Leave a file's Pages field blank to include every readable page. Enter comma-separated one-based page numbers and ranges, such as 2,4,7-9. The parser skips empty fragments and ignores invalid or out-of-range parts. It changes a descending range into ascending order, removes duplicate pages, and sorts the selected pages into source order.
Pages: 2,4,7-9
Selected: 2,4,7,8,9Each file with selected pages can receive one flat bookmark pointing to its first page in the new PDF. The title starts with the file name without its .pdf extension and can be edited. Nested outline trees from source PDFs are not copied.
What happens to rejected and warned PDFs
- Files without a
.pdfextension are skipped before inspection. - Unreadable files, malformed or unsupported PDFs, and PDFs with zero readable pages are blocked and reported.
- Encrypted or password-protected PDFs are excluded. The tool does not decrypt them or remove their password.
- Digitally signed PDFs remain eligible, but their signatures become invalid in the new document.
- XFA forms remain eligible with a warning, but their form interactivity is not preserved.
Preview and merge report details
Select Merge after changing files, ranges, order, or bookmark settings to render Page preview (final merge order). It shows at most the first 150 selected pages. The merge still includes every selected page after that cap. If a page cannot render, the preview marks it as a failure and leaves the merge plan unchanged.
Merge report lists included pages, excluded files, signature and XFA warnings, and bookmark creation. The page objects are copied without rasterizing them, so mixed page sizes and rotations can remain in the output. The browser parses and merges the files with pdf-lib and pdfjs-dist; the original files are not modified.
When an ordered merge helps
A PDF packet can combine a cover, report, and appendix in the chosen order. If only some pages from each source belong in it, set a range before merging.
Scanned documents keep their page sizes and rotations when their pages are copied into the new PDF. File bookmarks can mark the first page of each included source.
When to use PDF Merge Tools
Use Merge PDF when you need to combine local files into one ordered document. If another PDF merge workflow fits better, open PDF Merge Tools and choose the matching page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I merge PDF files in a specific order?
Arrange the readable rows by dragging them or selecting Move up and Move down, then select Merge PDFs. The output follows that order.
How do I combine selected pages from multiple PDFs?
Enter one-based page numbers and ranges in each file's Pages field, such as 2,4,7-9. Blank fields include all pages from that file.
Can I add bookmarks when I merge PDF files?
Yes. Leave Add one bookmark per file, pointing at that file's first merged page selected, then edit each generated title if needed. The result has one flat bookmark per included file.
Are PDF page size and rotation preserved after merging?
Yes. PDF page objects are copied, so each page keeps its source size and rotation, including in a document with mixed page sizes or orientations.
Can I merge password-protected or malformed PDFs?
No. Encrypted or password-protected files are excluded. Files that fail parsing are blocked and reported. Digitally signed and XFA files can be included with the warnings shown in the merge report.