How to use Merge PDF
- 1. Add the PDFsClick Choose PDF files or drop them onto the box. Add more at any time with Add files.
- 2. Put them in order and click CombineThe list order is the order in the final PDF. Move files with the up and down arrows, then click Combine.
- 3. Download the merged PDFClick Download to save the single combined file. Click Convert more to merge another set.
What merging keeps, and what it doesn't
PDF, created by Adobe in 1993 and an ISO standard since 2008, describes every page on its own: its size, text, fonts and images. Merging copies those pages, one file after another, into a new document. The pages themselves are not re-rendered or re-compressed.
| Part of the PDF | After merging |
|---|---|
| Text | Kept and still selectable and searchable |
| Images | Kept at their original quality |
| Page sizes | Each page keeps its own size, so A4 and Letter pages can sit side by side |
| Page orientation | Kept as it was in the source file |
| Bookmarks (outline) | Usually not carried over |
| Fillable form fields | May not stay fillable, so fill them in before merging |
| Password protection | Locked files can't be merged |
Get the order right before you combine
This tool orders whole files, not individual pages. It helps to plan for that:
- Name files with numbers (01-cover.pdf, 02-form.pdf) before adding them, so they land roughly in order.
- Use the arrows to fine-tune. The file at the top becomes the first pages of the result.
- Need only some pages from a file? Pull those pages out into their own PDF first, then merge that.
- Is one document sideways or upside down? Turn its pages the right way before merging.
Merging photos and scans with PDFs
Applications often need a mix: a filled form as PDF plus certificates you photographed with your phone. Merge only accepts PDFs, so first turn the photos into a PDF, choosing A4 if the portal expects A4 pages. Then add that PDF here with the others.
Large files and many files
There's no file-size or file-count limit, and no waiting for uploads: a 200 MB PDF is read straight from your disk. The practical limit is your device's memory, because the merged document is assembled in the browser. On a laptop, large merges are usually fine. On an older phone, merge in two or three rounds if you run into trouble.
The merged file is roughly the size of all the inputs added together. Merging doesn't compress anything.
Merging PDFs without a website
Mac: open the first PDF in Preview, show the thumbnails sidebar, and drag the other PDFs into it. Then choose File → Save.
iPhone and iPad: in the Files app, select several PDFs, tap the More button and choose Create PDF.
Windows: there's no built-in way to merge PDFs, which is where a browser tool like this one helps. It also works the same on Android and Chromebooks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I merge PDFs without uploading them?
Yes, that's how this tool works. Your PDFs are combined on your device, inside the browser, and never uploaded. The page loads its own code, ads and cookieless analytics like any site, but your documents stay with you. Read how to check it in your browser's DevTools.
How do I combine PDF files into one?
Add the PDFs, arrange them with the up and down arrows, click Combine and download the result. All pages from every file end up in one PDF, in the order of the list.
Can I merge large PDF files?
Yes. There's no size limit and no upload time, since files are read directly from your device. Very large merges need enough free memory; close other tabs or merge in batches on an older phone.
Can I reorder or delete individual pages?
Not in this tool. It orders whole files. To use only certain pages, split them out first with the Split PDF tool, then merge the pieces you need.
Why does it say my file is password-protected?
The PDF is encrypted, so its pages can't be read without the password. Open it in a PDF viewer with the password and save or print an unprotected copy if you're allowed to, then merge that copy.
Does merging reduce quality?
No. Pages are copied as they are, so text stays sharp and images aren't re-compressed.
Will the pages all be A4?
Each page keeps its original size. If every source file is A4, the merged PDF is A4 too. Images converted with the JPG to PDF tool can be set to A4 before you merge them.
Does the merged PDF keep the title and author?
Yes, by default. With Metadata set to Keep, the merged file gets the document information of the first PDF (title, author, subject, keywords, dates). Choose Remove to strip all of it, including the XMP metadata and the name of the app that made the file.