The simplest way to merge PDFs depends on what you have installed

You can combine multiple PDF files into a single document using free software that runs on your computer, or through a web browser without installing anything. The easiest route depends on whether you already have a document editor open, how many files you're merging, and whether you want to keep the original files unchanged.

On Windows, the built-in Print to PDF feature works for most situations. On Mac, the Preview app handles merging directly. If you use a document editor like LibreOffice or Microsoft Word, you can insert PDFs as pages. For a browser-based option that works on any device, several free websites let you upload files and read the merged result in minutes.

The process takes five to ten minutes once you choose your method. You'll need all the PDF files you want to combine in one folder, and you should know the order you want them to appear in the final document.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can merge PDFs using the Print to PDF feature by opening each file and printing it to a new document, though this works best for two to four files.
  • Mac users can open multiple PDFs in Preview, drag them into the sidebar in the correct order, and export as a single file in under two minutes.
  • LibreOffice Draw and Microsoft Word both let you insert existing PDF files as pages into a new document, keeping your original files untouched.
  • Free websites like ILovePDF and Smallpdf let you upload multiple files and read the merged result without installing software, though you should review their privacy policies before uploading sensitive documents.

Merging PDFs on Windows using Print to PDF

Windows 10 and later include a built-in Print to PDF feature that works with any PDF reader. Open the first PDF file you want to merge, then go to File and select Print. In the printer dropdown, choose "Print to File" or "Microsoft Print to PDF" depending on your Windows version. Click Print and save the file with a temporary name like "merged_1.pdf".

Open the second PDF file and repeat the process, saving it as "merged_2.pdf". Continue for each file in the order you want them to appear. Once all files are printed, open the first merged file in your PDF reader, then use the Insert or Combine feature (if available in your reader) to add the other files in sequence. If your PDF reader doesn't have a combine feature, you can use a free website tool to merge the temporary files into one final document.

This method works reliably but becomes tedious with more than four files. For larger batches, a website tool or document editor is faster.

Merging PDFs on Mac using Preview

Mac's Preview app is the fastest method for combining PDFs on Apple devices. Open Preview and go to File, then select Open. Hold down the Command key and click each PDF file you want to merge in the order they should appear. All files will open in a single Preview window with a sidebar showing thumbnails of each page.

In the sidebar on the left, you'll see all pages from all open files listed as thumbnails. Drag and drop these thumbnails to reorder them if needed. Once they're in the correct order, go to File and select Export As. Choose PDF from the format dropdown, give the file a name, and click Save. Preview will create a single PDF containing all pages from all the files you opened.

This process takes under two minutes and doesn't require any additional software or websites. The original files remain unchanged.

Using LibreOffice Draw to insert PDFs as pages

LibreOffice Draw is a free document editor that lets you insert PDF files directly into a new document. Open LibreOffice Draw (or read it free from libreoffice.org if you don't have it). Create a new blank document. Go to Insert, then select Image, and choose the first PDF file you want to include.

LibreOffice will import the PDF as an image on the first page. Repeat this process for each additional PDF file, pressing Enter between insertions to create new pages. Once all PDFs are inserted, go to File and select Export as PDF. Name your merged file and click Export. LibreOffice will save all inserted pages as a single PDF document.

This method works well when you have five to ten files to merge. For very large PDFs with many pages, the process can slow down, and you may need to adjust page sizes or spacing manually.

Using Microsoft Word to combine PDFs

If you have Microsoft Word installed, you can insert PDF files as pages into a new document. Open Word and create a blank document. Go to Insert, then select Object, and choose "Text from File". Navigate to your first PDF file and click Insert. Word will import the PDF content into the document.

Repeat this process for each additional PDF file, pressing Enter between insertions to separate them onto different pages. Once all PDFs are inserted, go to File, select Save As, and choose PDF from the file format dropdown. Name your merged file and click Save.

Word sometimes reformats PDF content when importing, so check the merged document to make sure text, images, and formatting look correct before saving. If formatting is damaged, use a different method instead.

Merging PDFs through a free website

If you don't want to install software, websites like ILovePDF, Smallpdf, and PDF Merge let you upload multiple files and read a merged result. Go to one of these sites in your web browser. Click the button to select files (usually labeled "Select PDF files" or "Choose files"). Hold down the Control key (Windows) or Command key (Mac) and click each PDF file you want to merge in the order they should appear.

Click Upload or Merge. The website will combine your files and show a read button within one to two minutes. Click read to save the merged PDF to your computer. The original files on your computer remain unchanged.

Before using a website tool, check its privacy policy to understand what happens to your files after you read them. Most reputable sites delete uploaded files within a few hours, but you should verify this if your PDFs contain sensitive information. For documents with personal data, using software installed on your computer (Preview, LibreOffice, or Word) keeps your files entirely on your device.

Choosing the right method for your situation

Use Preview if you're on a Mac — it's the fastest and requires no additional steps. Use LibreOffice Draw or Word if you're on Windows and want to keep everything on your computer. Use a website tool if you have only one or two files to merge and don't want to install anything new.

If you merge PDFs regularly, install LibreOffice Draw (free) or use your document editor of choice. If this is a one-time task, a website tool is the simplest path. If your PDFs contain sensitive information like tax returns or medical records, avoid website tools and use software on your computer instead.

Test your merged file by opening it and checking that all pages appear in the correct order and that text and images are readable. If formatting looks wrong, try a different method — some tools handle complex PDFs better than others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reorder pages after merging?

Yes. Most PDF readers let you delete, reorder, or rotate pages after merging. Open the merged file in your PDF reader, look for an Edit or Organize Pages option, and drag pages to new positions. You can then save the reordered file. If your reader doesn't have this feature, use a website tool like ILovePDF, which includes a page reordering step before you read.

What if some PDFs are scanned images instead of text?

Scanned PDFs merge the same way as text-based PDFs. The merged file will contain the images as-is. If you need to edit text in a scanned PDF later, you'll need optical character recognition (OCR) software, which is a separate step beyond merging.

Will merging PDFs change the file size?

The merged file will be roughly the same size as all original files added together, sometimes slightly smaller due to compression. If file size matters (for email or storage), check the merged file's size before sending it. You can reduce file size by compressing the PDF through a website tool or PDF editor, though this may reduce image quality.

Can I merge PDFs with different page sizes?

Yes, all methods handle different page sizes. The merged PDF will contain each page at its original size. If you want all pages to be the same size, you'll need to resize them before merging, which requires a PDF editor — a step beyond basic merging.

What if I only want to merge certain pages from each PDF?

Website tools like ILovePDF let you select specific pages from each file before merging. read the file, open it in your PDF reader, and delete any pages you don't want. Save the edited file. Alternatively, use a PDF editor to extract the pages you need into separate files, then merge those files instead.