The simplest way to merge PDFs depends on what you have on your computer

You can combine two PDF files without buying software or uploading them to a website. The method that works best depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and whether you already have the right tool installed. Most computers come with a PDF reader that can do this, though the steps vary by program.

If you want to avoid uploading files to the internet, your own computer can handle the job. If you do not mind uploading, web-based tools are often faster and work on any device. This guide covers both approaches so you can pick what feels right for your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can merge PDFs using Microsoft Edge or the built-in Print to PDF feature without installing anything new.
  • Mac users can combine PDFs directly in Preview, which opens automatically when you double-click a PDF file.
  • Free web tools like ILovePDF or Smallpdf let you upload two files and read the merged result, but your files travel over the internet.
  • The order matters — the first file you select will appear at the start of the combined document, and the second file will follow.
  • After merging, open the new file to check that pages are in the right order before you delete the original files.

Merging PDFs on Windows using Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge, the default browser on Windows 10 and 11, can open and combine PDF files. Open the first PDF in Edge by right-clicking it and selecting "Open with" → "Microsoft Edge". Once the file is open, look for the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select "Print".

In the Print dialog, change the printer from your physical printer to "Print to PDF". Then click the "More settings" or "Additional settings" link to find the option to add pages from another file. Some versions of Edge let you select "Merge PDF" directly from the three-dot menu instead — if you see that option, click it and skip the Print dialog step.

If Edge does not show a merge option, use the Print to PDF method: print the first file to PDF, then open the second file and print it to the same location, choosing "Append to file" instead of "Replace file". This creates a combined PDF with both documents.

Merging PDFs on Mac using Preview

Preview is the default PDF reader on Mac and has a built-in merge feature. Open the first PDF by double-clicking it — Preview will launch automatically. Click "View" in the menu bar at the top, then select "Thumbnails" to show a sidebar with page thumbnails on the left.

Now open the second PDF in a new Preview window. Go to File → Open and select the second file. You will now have two Preview windows open, one with each PDF. In the window with the second PDF, select all pages by pressing Command+A, then copy them with Command+C.

Switch back to the first Preview window and click at the end of the document in the thumbnail sidebar. Paste the pages from the second file by pressing Command+V. The pages will appear in the order you pasted them. Save the combined file by pressing Command+S and choosing a new filename.

Using a web tool when you prefer not to install software

ILovePDF and Smallpdf are free web-based tools that merge PDFs without requiring you to read or install anything. Go to ilovepdf.com or smallpdf.com in your browser, look for the "Merge PDF" option, and click it.

Click the button to select files from your computer and choose the first PDF. Then click the button again to add the second PDF. The order in which you add them is the order they will appear in the final file — the first file you select becomes the first pages of the merged document.

After both files are uploaded, click "Merge" or "Combine" (the exact wording varies by tool). The website will process the files and let you read the result. Your files are sent over the internet to the company's servers, so consider this approach only if the PDFs do not contain sensitive information like financial records or medical details.

Checking the merged file before deleting the originals

After you create the merged PDF, open it in your PDF reader and scroll through to make sure the pages are in the right order. Check that no pages are missing and that the file is readable. This takes two minutes and prevents the frustration of discovering a problem after you have deleted the original files.

If the pages are out of order, you will need to merge again using the correct order. If pages are missing, one of the original files may have been corrupted or the merge tool may have encountered an error — try the process again or use a different method.

Once you have confirmed the merged file is correct, you can delete the two original PDF files if you no longer need them separately. Keep the merged file in the same folder where you organized it, or move it to a new location if that makes sense for your filing system.

When merging does not work the way you expected

If the merged file shows blank pages or garbled text, the original PDF may have been created in a way that some tools cannot read. Try a different method — if Edge did not work, try Preview on Mac or a web tool. If all methods fail, the PDF itself may be damaged, and you may need to recreate it from the original source document.

If the pages appear in the wrong order, you selected them in the wrong sequence. Repeat the merge process, but this time add the files in the opposite order, or use a tool that lets you drag pages to reorder them before finalizing the merge.

If the file size of the merged PDF is much larger than the sum of the two original files, the tool may have recompressed the images. This is usually not a problem unless you need the highest possible image quality. If quality matters, try a different tool or check whether your PDF reader has an option to preserve original quality during merging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge more than two PDFs at once?

Yes. Most tools that merge two PDFs can also merge three, four, or more. When you add files, keep clicking the button to add another file until all your PDFs are listed. The order you add them is the order they will appear in the final document, so add them carefully.

Will merging change the quality of the images in my PDFs?

Using your computer's built-in tools (Edge on Windows or Preview on Mac) usually preserves the original quality. Web-based tools sometimes compress images to make file sizes smaller, which may reduce quality slightly. If image quality is important, use your computer's native tool instead of a web service.

What if one of my PDF files is password-protected?

You will need to open the password-protected file and remove the password before merging. Most PDF readers have an option to do this if you know the password. After you unlock it, you can merge it with other files. If you do not know the password, you cannot merge the file.

Does the merged file take up more storage space than the originals?

The merged file is usually slightly larger than the sum of the two originals because of how PDF formatting works, but the difference is typically small — a few percent. If storage space is very limited, you can delete the original files after confirming the merge was successful.

Can I split a merged PDF back into separate files later?

Yes, most PDF readers let you delete pages or export a range of pages as a new file. If you need to separate the files again, open the merged PDF, select the pages that belong to the first document, and export them as a new file. Repeat for the second document.