How to add page numbers to a PDF
- Drop a PDF onto the drop zone above, or click to select it.
- Choose a Position: bottom centre, bottom right, bottom left, top centre or top right.
- Pick a Format:
1, 2, 3,Page 1 of 10or- 1 -. - Set Start at if the numbering should begin at something other than 1, and adjust the Font size (11 pt by default).
- Click Add page numbers and download the numbered PDF.
The numbers are drawn onto each page with pdf-lib in your browser. Your document is never uploaded, so you can number confidential reports, theses and legal bundles without sharing them.
Choosing a style
Page numbers help readers navigate, cite and discuss a document, and are often required for court bundles, academic submissions and tender documents. The right style depends on how the document will be used:
| Format | Example | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Plain number | 7 | Books, reports, most everyday documents |
| Page X of Y | Page 7 of 24 | Contracts, forms and printouts where a missing page must be noticed |
| Dashed | - 7 - | A classic, unobtrusive look for manuscripts and handouts |
Position. Bottom centre is the most common choice and works for both single-sided and double-sided printing. Outer corners (bottom right) are easy to spot when flicking through a printed stack. Top positions suit documents whose footer area is already occupied by text, logos or signatures.
Starting number. The Start at value is the number printed on the first page of the file. Use it when the PDF is one part of a larger work, for example chapter 3 beginning at page 41, or when the PDF continues another document you have already numbered.
Tips and limitations
- Numbers are added as new text on top of the existing page. They do not replace numbers already printed on the pages, so check the original footer area first to avoid duplicates.
- Numbers are printed in dark grey Helvetica about 1 cm from the page edge. If a document has content right at the margin, try a different position or a smaller font size.
- Every page in the file is numbered, including covers. To leave a cover unnumbered, remove it with Split PDF, number the rest, then add it back with Merge PDF.
- Combining several files? Merge them first so that numbering runs continuously through the whole document.
- Password-protected or encrypted PDFs are not supported. Unlock it first with Unlock PDF (you need its password), then come back.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start numbering from a number other than 1?
Yes. Enter any value in Start at, and the first page of the file will show that number.
Will page numbers change the existing content?
No. Text, images and layout stay exactly as they were; the numbers are drawn as an extra layer on each page.
What does the "Page 1 of 10" total show?
The total is the number printed on the last page. With Start at 1 it equals the page count; if a 10-page file starts at 41, the pages read "Page 41 of 50" to "Page 50 of 50".
Can I remove the page numbers later?
Not with this tool. Keep a copy of your original PDF if you might need an un-numbered version.