How to merge PDF files into one document
Updated · PDF Converter
Job applications, expense claims, visa paperwork and contract packs often have to be sent as a single PDF. If you have a cover letter, a few scans and a certificate in separate files, merging them takes about a minute and does not require any software.
Merge PDFs in three steps
- Open Merge PDF and drop in two or more PDF files, or click to choose them.
- Drag the file cards into the order you want, or use the arrows on each card. You can also sort them by name.
- Press Merge PDF and download the combined document.
That is all. The pages are copied as they are, so text stays selectable, links inside pages keep working and images are not compressed again. The merged file looks exactly like the originals.
Useful options
- Add a bookmark for each file (on by default). Each source document becomes a bookmark, so the reader can jump straight to the invoice, the contract or the appendix in the merged PDF.
- Insert a blank page between files. Handy for double-sided printing: each original document then starts on a new sheet instead of on the back of the previous one.
Merge only some pages
Merge PDF combines whole files. If you only need part of a document – say, pages 2 and 3 of a bank statement – prepare that file first:
- Open the file in Extract Pages and click the thumbnails of the pages you want (shift-click selects a run).
- Press Extract Pages and download the new, shorter PDF.
- Add that file to Merge PDF together with the others.
Change the page order after merging
Merging keeps the pages of each file in their original order. To move individual pages around afterwards – for example, to put a signature page at the end – open the merged file in Organize PDF:
- Drag page thumbnails to a new position, or use Move left and Move right on touch screens.
- Use Rotate on any sideways scan and Delete page on anything you do not need.
- Insert a blank page after any page, or use Reverse order for documents scanned back to front.
- Press Save new order to download the result.
Common problems
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| A file will not open because it is password-protected | Unlock it first with Unlock PDF if you know the password, then merge |
| The merged PDF is too big to email or upload | Run it through Compress PDF; scans and photos usually shrink a lot |
| Some pages are sideways | Open the merged file in Organize PDF and rotate those pages |
| You need images in the same PDF | Turn the images into a PDF with JPG to PDF first, then merge |
Tip: name your files with a number at the start (01-cover.pdf, 02-contract.pdf…) and sort by name. The order is then right before you start dragging.
Is it safe to merge confidential documents?
Yes. Merging runs entirely inside your browser tab, so your PDFs are not uploaded to a server. That makes it suitable for contracts, payslips and medical records.
Frequently asked questions
How many PDFs can I merge at once?
There is no fixed limit on the number of files. The practical limit is your device’s memory; a modern laptop comfortably handles several hundred megabytes.
How do I merge PDF files on a phone?
Open Merge PDF in your mobile browser, tap to add the PDFs from your files app, put them in order with the arrows and tap Merge PDF. The combined file downloads to your phone.
Does merging reduce the quality of my PDFs?
No. Pages are copied structurally rather than converted to images, so fonts, vector graphics and image quality stay exactly as they were.