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PDF N-Up

Shrink several PDF pages onto one sheet to save paper or make handouts. Pick 2, 4, 6, 9 or 16 pages per sheet, the reading order, sheet size, margins and borders, then download a new PDF that prints anywhere. Everything happens in your browser.

Sample preview: a 10-page A4 document. Open your PDF to see your own layout.
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How to use the PDF N-Up

  1. Open your PDF by dropping it on the box or clicking to choose it.
  2. Choose pages per sheet: 2, 4, 6, 9 or 16. The preview updates instantly.
  3. Set the page order, sheet size and orientation. Auto orientation picks the layout where pages come out biggest.
  4. Adjust margin, gap, borders and page range if you need to.
  5. Press Create N-up PDF to download the new file, then print it at 100% (actual size).

How big each page prints with N-up

When several pages share one sheet, each page is scaled down. The table shows the approximate scale for A4 or US Letter pages printed on the same paper size with small margins, using the orientation that gives the biggest pages. A 12 pt font printed at 50% looks like 6 pt text.

Pages per sheetGridSheet orientationApprox. page scale12 pt text prints asGood for
22 × 1Landscape≈ 70%≈ 8.5 ptReading copies, lecture slides, saving paper
42 × 2Portrait≈ 48%≈ 6 ptSlide handouts, proof reading layouts
62 × 3Portrait≈ 32%≈ 4 ptPresentation handouts (landscape slides)
93 × 3Portrait≈ 32%≈ 4 ptOverviews, storyboards
164 × 4Portrait≈ 24%≈ 3 ptThumbnail contact sheets, checking page flow

The scale is simply the smaller of (cell width ÷ page width) and (cell height ÷ page height), where the cell is the sheet minus margins and gaps divided by the number of columns or rows. The preview above shows the exact value for your file.

Printing tips

  • Print the N-up PDF at Actual size / 100%. "Fit to page" in the print dialog would shrink it a second time.
  • Most home printers cannot print right to the edge, so keep a margin of at least 4–6 mm.
  • For slide decks (16:9 pages), 6 pages per portrait sheet with "Rotate pages to fill cells" turned off gives the classic handout look; 2 per landscape sheet keeps slides large.
  • To print on both sides as well, use your printer's duplex setting with flip on long edge for portrait sheets and flip on short edge for landscape sheets.
  • Want a folded booklet instead of a grid? Use the PDF Booklet Maker. To change the page size of every page without combining them, use Resize PDF.

Frequently asked questions

What does N-up mean?

N-up printing places N pages of a document on a single sheet of paper, scaled down to fit. 2-up puts two pages side by side, 4-up puts four pages in a 2 × 2 grid, and so on. It is used for handouts, proof copies and saving paper.

How do I print 4 pages per sheet from a PDF?

Open the PDF above, choose 4 pages per sheet and press Create N-up PDF. Print the downloaded file normally at actual size (100%). Because the pages are already arranged, it works on any printer and in any PDF viewer.

How small will the text be?

With 2 pages per A4 or Letter sheet, each page is printed at about 70% of its original size, which is easy to read. With 4 pages it is about 50%, with 9 about 33% and with 16 about 25%. The preview shows the exact percentage.

Does N-up reduce the quality of my PDF?

No. Pages are placed into the new sheets as vector graphics, so text and lines stay sharp at any zoom and text can still be selected and searched. Nothing is converted to images.

What is the difference between Z and N order?

Z order (across, then down) fills each row from left to right before moving to the next row, like reading a book. N order (down, then across) fills each column from top to bottom first. Right-to-left options are useful for Arabic, Hebrew or manga layouts.

Can I make a booklet instead?

A booklet needs pages in a special folded order rather than simple reading order. Use the PDF Booklet Maker for that, which arranges pages 2 per sheet so the printed stack folds into a booklet.

Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?

No. The PDF is opened and rearranged by JavaScript inside your browser and the new file is saved straight to your device.

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