Merge PDFs into one file
Merge PDFs and images into one file, in the order you choose. Reorder, turn or delete single pages first. It runs in your browser, so your files stay on your device.
- Free, no sign-up
- Runs in your browser. Your files never leave your device.
- Updated
or paste a file with Ctrl V
Drag pages to reorder. Click to select, Shift-click for a range. Press ? for shortcuts.
Kortex Merge PDF joins PDFs and images into one PDF in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, and there is no file or daily limit. It keeps bookmarks, links and form fields. You can reorder, rotate, duplicate or delete single pages before you save.
How do I merge PDF files?
- Drop your PDFs (and any images) on the box above, or choose them. You can also paste a copied file.
- Every page appears in a grid, color-coded by file. Drag pages or whole files into the order you want.
- Turn, duplicate or delete pages with the buttons on each page or the toolbar. Undo with Ctrl+Z (⌘Z on a Mac).
- Name the file, then click Merge PDF. It downloads straight away.
What makes this different from iLovePDF or Smallpdf?
The work happens on your device, not on a server. Most online PDF tools upload your files first. PDF24 says its tools process files on its servers in Germany and delete them after an hour. Smallpdf says it deletes files after an hour. iLovePDF’s free plan merges up to 25 files and 100 MB per task (as of 4 Nov 2026).
| What you get | Kortex | Typical online tool |
|---|---|---|
| Where your files go | Nowhere: processed in your browser | Uploaded, then deleted after a while |
| Files and size | Up to 500 files, 2 GB each | Capped on free plans |
| Page-level editing | Reorder, rotate, duplicate, delete, zoom | Varies; often a separate tool |
| Bookmarks | Kept, plus one per file if you like | Often dropped |
| Keyboard | Every action has a shortcut | Mouse first |
Sources, checked 4 Nov 2026: iLovePDF pricing, PDF24, Smallpdf. Those services also offer things this page does not, such as cloud storage imports and desktop apps.
What happens to bookmarks, links and forms?
Pages are copied with pdf.js, the PDF engine inside Firefox. It carries bookmarks, links between pages, form fields and the tags screen readers use into the new file. Bookmarks that point to a deleted page are dropped. Turn on Add a bookmark for each file to get one bookmark per file, named after it, with that file’s own bookmarks inside.
Digital signatures do not survive a merge, because the signed document no longer exists as it was. The file list marks signed PDFs so you know.
Can I merge big PDFs?
Yes. The tool draws thumbnails of large files from only the parts it needs. It keeps only the pages on screen in memory, so a 1,000-page PDF scrolls smoothly. Saving the merged file needs its full size in memory once. For hundreds of megabytes, use a laptop or desktop and close other heavy tabs.
Keyboard shortcuts
- Arrow keys move between pages. Shift with arrows selects a range. Space selects one page.
- Alt with arrows moves the selected pages.
- R turns right, Shift+R turns left, D duplicates, Delete deletes, Enter zooms.
- Ctrl+Z undoes, Ctrl+Shift+Z redoes, Ctrl+Enter merges (⌘ on a Mac).
Want to split a PDF instead? Use Split PDF. Need the words, not the pages? PDF to Text gives you clean text or Markdown.
Questions
Are my PDFs uploaded anywhere?
No. The page uses two open-source PDF tools, pdf.js and pdf-lib. They run in your browser tab. Your files are read and saved on your device. Nothing about them is sent to Kortex or anyone else. You can check: open your browser’s network panel while you merge. You will see no upload.
Is there a limit on how many files or how big?
There is no daily limit, file cap or paywall. The tool takes up to 500 files and up to 2 GB per file. The real limit is your device’s memory. A merge of a few hundred megabytes is fine on a laptop or desktop. Phones can run out of memory sooner. The tool warns you above 200 MB.
Does merging keep bookmarks, links and form fields?
Yes. Pages keep their bookmarks, links between pages, form fields and accessibility tags. You can also add one bookmark per file, so the merged PDF opens with a table of contents. If a file is too unusual to copy this way, the tool copies the pages only and tells you the bookmarks were lost.
Can I merge images and PDFs together?
Yes. Add JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF or AVIF images next to your PDFs, and each becomes a page. JPG and PNG images go in as they are, with no recompression. Phone photos are turned the right way up. Choose A4, US Letter or the image’s own size for those pages.
Can I merge password-protected PDFs?
A PDF that opens without a password but limits editing merges like any other. A PDF that needs a password to open shows a password box in the file list. Type the password and the file opens, in your browser only. The tool keeps the password for this session. It never stores or sends it.
How do I change the order of pages or files?
Drag pages in the grid. On a phone, press and hold a page, then drag. Select several pages with Shift-click or Ctrl-click and drag them together. Or press Alt with the arrow keys. To move a whole file, use the arrows next to it in the file list.
Will pages of different sizes be resized?
No. Each page keeps its own size and orientation. An A4 report and a landscape US Letter table stay exactly as they were. Zoom in on a page to see its paper size.
More free tools
- Rotate PDF Fix sideways or upside-down pages and save the file.
- Split PDF Split a PDF by page, range or size. Or pull out the pages you need.
- PDF to Text Get clean text or Markdown out of any PDF, page by page.
- Image to Text (OCR) Copy the text from photos, scans and screenshots. 100+ languages.
- Background Remover Remove the background from any photo. The AI runs on your device.
Save what you find in one click.
Kortex is a Chrome extension for Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM). It sends AI chats, web pages, posts and YouTube videos into the notebook you pick. It keeps your notebooks organized. It exports them back out.
No card needed.