Merge PDF Files

What this tool does

This tool joins multiple PDF files into one, in the order you want. Use it to combine a contract with its attachments or tidy up scans split across files.

Pages are copied as they are rather than turned into images, so text stays selectable and searchable and quality doesn't change. If the files mix page sizes — A4 alongside landscape pages, say — each page keeps its original size and orientation.

Each file you add gets a number and a page count in the list; reorder with ▲▼ or remove with ✕. The result downloads as 'merged.pdf'.

When it comes in handy

Job or school applications that ask for 'a single file' — combine your résumé, cover letter and certificates in the order they want.

When a scanner splits a long document into several files, stitch them back together into one copy in the right order.

Gather monthly bills or statements into one PDF per quarter or year, so they're easy to find and archive.

Bundle slides, reference documents and appendices into one attachment for a single email.

Planning the order

The numbers in the list are the merge order. Page 1 of the first file becomes page 1 of the result, and pages inside each file stay in their original order.

To rearrange pages within a file, merge first and then tidy up in 'Organize PDF'. If you only need some pages from a file, pull them out with 'Split PDF' before merging.

Adding the same file twice includes it twice. That can be useful for a repeated cover sheet, but it's worth adding up the page counts in the list and checking them against the result.

How it compares to other options

PDF editors can merge files too, but some need to be installed or bought. This tool runs right in your browser with no install or sign-up, and your files never go to a server.

Printing each PDF and scanning them back in as one loses quality and makes the text unsearchable. Merging here copies the original pages, so nothing is lost.

Things to keep in mind

PDFs that ask for a password to open can't be merged — and neither, often, can PDFs that open freely but carry security restrictions such as no printing or editing. These show up as 'Can't open'. If you're allowed to, remove the security settings and add the file again.

Bookmarks (the outline or table of contents) from the original files aren't carried over to the merged PDF. Worth knowing if you navigate long documents that way.

PDFs with fillable form fields may not have working fields after merging. Fill them in first, then merge and check that everything shows up in the result.

All files are loaded into memory and merged in one go, so combining several very large PDFs may be slow or fail on some devices.

How to use

1. Add the PDF files you want to merge.
2. Reorder them with ▲▼.
3. Click 'Merge PDF' to download the combined file.

FAQ

Tips

• Each file shows its page count after you add it. If it says 'Can't open', remove the password first.
• Need only some pages afterwards? Use 'Split PDF'.
• The result is roughly the sum of the originals. If it's too big, try 'Compress PDF'.