PL
PDFLite

How to Merge PDF Files on a Mac

Preview can do this natively — here's how, plus a simpler browser-based option for merging several files at once.

Drop PDF files here, or click to browse

Select two or more files — they'll be merged in the order shown below

    Every tool above runs entirely on your device — nothing is ever uploaded.

    The short version

    Preview works fine for a quick merge. PDFLite works the same way, but nothing ever leaves your device — no upload, on Mac or any other OS.

    Mac already has a way to do this

    macOS's built-in Preview app can merge PDFs — open the first file, show the sidebar (View → Thumbnails), drag in more pages or files. It works, but has rough edges.

    Preview (built-in)

    • •Free, already on every Mac
    • ✕Multi-page PDFs sometimes insert as one thumbnail, not expanded
    • ✕Reordering is fiddly with trackpad precision
    • ✕One file at a time — no batch flow

    PDFLite (browser)

    • ✓Also free, works in Safari or Chrome — nothing to download
    • ✓Drop several files at once, see a clear list
    • ✓Reorder with simple up/down arrows
    • ✓Same tool works identically on Windows or Chromebook
    PDFLite merge tool open in a Mac browser with three PDF files loaded
    The same drop-and-reorder flow, right in Safari — no app to install.

    Which one should you use?

    Occasional, two files

    Already comfortable with Preview's sidebar? No reason to change habits.

    Multiple sources, regularly

    The browser-based route is easier to keep using consistently — same steps if you switch to Windows.

    What stays on your Mac

    Preview

    Works locally because it's a native Mac app.

    PDFLite

    Works locally because the merge logic (pdf-lib) runs inside the browser tab itself. Your files don't leave your device either way.