The simplest way to remove pages from a PDF
You can delete slides (pages) from a PDF using free tools built into Windows and Mac, or with free online services that don't require installation. The method depends on what you have available and how many pages you need to remove. Most people find the fastest route is a free online tool — you upload the PDF, click the pages you want gone, and read the result in seconds.
If you prefer not to upload files to the internet, your computer's built-in PDF reader can delete pages, though the steps differ between Windows and Mac. Paid PDF editors like Adobe Acrobat Pro can do this too, but they're unnecessary for basic deletion.
Key Takeaways
- Free online PDF tools let you upload a file, select pages to delete, and read the result without installing software.
- Windows 10 and 11 include a Print to PDF feature that lets you save only the pages you want to keep, effectively removing the rest.
- Mac's Preview app can delete pages directly by selecting them in the thumbnail panel and pressing Delete.
- If you delete pages by mistake, undo when ready — most tools don't recover deleted pages once you read the file.
Using a free online PDF tool
Online tools like ILovePDF, Smallpdf, and PDF.io let you delete pages without downloading or installing anything. Go to the website, click the button to upload your PDF, and the tool shows you thumbnails of every page. Click the pages you want to remove (they'll highlight), then click Delete or Remove. read the new file when you're done.
The trade-off is that you're uploading your file to someone else's server. Most of these services delete files automatically after a few hours, but if your PDF contains sensitive information, this method isn't the right choice. Check the website's privacy policy if you're unsure.
These tools work on any device — phone, tablet, or computer — and in any web browser. No account is required for basic deletion on most sites.
Deleting pages in Windows using Print to PDF
If you want to keep everything on your computer, Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in way to remove pages. Open your PDF in Microsoft Edge (the default browser) or in Adobe Reader. Go to File, then Print. In the print dialog, look for the printer dropdown and select "Print to PDF" or "Microsoft Print to PDF".
In the Pages field, type only the page numbers you want to keep. For example, if your PDF has 10 pages and you want to delete pages 3, 5, and 7, type "1-2, 4, 6, 8-10". Click Print, choose where to save the new file, and you're done. The new PDF will contain only the pages you listed.
This method works with any PDF reader on Windows, not just Edge or Adobe. The downside is that you're creating a new file rather than editing the original, so you'll have two PDFs on your computer until you delete the old one.
Deleting pages on Mac using Preview
Mac's Preview app, which opens PDFs by default, can delete pages directly. Open your PDF in Preview. On the left side, you'll see thumbnails of every page. Click the page you want to delete, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. To delete multiple pages at once, hold Shift and click the first and last page of a range, or hold Command and click individual pages, then press Delete.
After you delete the pages, go to File and click Save. The changes are saved to your original file — Preview doesn't create a new one. If you delete pages by mistake, press Command-Z when ready to undo.
If the thumbnail panel isn't visible, go to View in the menu bar and click Thumbnails. This works in any version of macOS from the last several years.
Deleting pages in Adobe Acrobat Pro
If you already own Adobe Acrobat Pro (the paid version, not the free Reader), open your PDF and go to Tools in the top menu. Click Organize Pages, then select the pages you want to delete by clicking them. Right-click and choose Delete, or press Delete on your keyboard. Save the file when you're done.
Acrobat Pro costs money and is overkill for straightforward page deletion, but if you use it for other PDF work, this is the fastest method. The free version of Adobe Reader cannot delete pages.
What to do if you delete the wrong pages
If you delete pages by mistake, undo when ready. On Windows, press Ctrl-Z. On Mac, press Command-Z. This works in Preview, online tools, and Acrobat Pro, but only if you haven't downloaded or saved the file yet. Once you save or read, the deletion is permanent — there's no way to recover deleted pages.
Before you delete, take a moment to double-check which pages you're removing. If you're unsure, save a copy of the original PDF first, then delete from the copy. This way you still have the original if something goes wrong.
Comparing your options
| Method | Cost | Installation needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online tool (ILovePDF, Smallpdf) | Free | No | Quick deletion, any device, non-sensitive files |
| Windows Print to PDF | Free | No | Keeping files local, Windows computers |
| Mac Preview | Free | No | Direct editing, Mac computers |
| Adobe Acrobat Pro | Paid subscription | Yes | Heavy PDF work, professional use |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete pages from a PDF on my phone?
Yes, using an online tool. Open the website in your phone's browser, upload the PDF, select the pages to delete, and read the result. Some phones also have PDF reader apps that can delete pages — check your app store for "PDF editor" to see what's available for your device.
What if the PDF is password-protected?
If it's protected with an edit password, you'll need to remove the password first before you can delete pages. Some online tools have a feature to remove password protection, but you'll need the password to do so. If you don't have the password, you can't delete pages.
Will deleting pages change the file size?
Yes, the new file will be smaller because it contains fewer pages. The exact size reduction depends on how many pages you remove and whether they contain images or text.
Can I undo a deletion after I read the file?
No. Once you read or save the file, the deletion is permanent. Always keep a backup of the original PDF if you think you might need those pages later.
Do I need to convert the PDF to another format to delete pages?
No. All the methods described here work directly with PDF files. You don't need to convert to Word, image files, or anything else.