Add Page Numbers to PDF

Number the pages of any PDF: choose the corner, the format, the first number and which pages to include. Your file is processed in your browser and never uploaded.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add page numbers to a PDF?

Open the PDF in the tool, pick one of the six positions, choose a format such as "Page 1 of N", then click Add page numbers and download the numbered file.

How do I number a PDF without numbering the cover page?

Tick "Skip the first page". The cover stays clean and numbering begins on page two, using the start number you set (usually 1 or 2).

Can I start page numbering from a number other than 1?

Yes. Set "Start at number" to any value. This is useful when the PDF is one chapter of a longer book or continues another document.

Can I add page numbers to only part of a PDF?

Yes. Choose Custom under Pages and enter a range such as 3-20. Only those pages are numbered, and the first page in the range gets the start number.

Will the page numbers be upright on rotated or landscape pages?

Yes. The tool reads each page's rotation and visible area (crop box), so numbers are placed in the chosen corner and read upright on portrait, landscape and rotated pages.

Is my PDF uploaded to add page numbers?

No. The numbers are added by JavaScript running in your browser. The file never leaves your computer or phone, and nothing is stored.

Why add page numbers to a PDF?

Page numbers make a document easy to discuss. “See page 14” only works if page 14 is labeled. They are often required for theses, legal filings, tenders and court bundles. They also show whether a printed copy is complete. Many PDFs, however, are built by merging exports, scans and slides that were never numbered. Going back to the source files is slow, and sometimes the source is not available at all. Numbering the final PDF directly solves this in seconds.

How it works

The tool loads your PDF with pdf-lib and writes a small line of text in the standard Helvetica font onto each selected page. Nothing else on the page changes. Text stays selectable, links keep working and images are not recompressed. Before placing a number, the tool looks at the page’s crop box (the area a PDF reader actually shows) and its rotation. That keeps the number inside the visible margins and upright, even on scanned pages stored sideways or landscape pages mixed into a portrait document.

Step by step

  1. Open your PDF by dropping it on the upload area.
  2. Pick a position on the miniature page. Bottom center is the most common choice, and bottom right suits reports.
  3. Choose the format: a plain 1, Page 1, Page 1 of 12 or 1 / 12.
  4. Fine-tune the start number, font size and margin, and decide whether to skip the cover page or number only a range.
  5. Apply and download the file as yourfile-numbered.pdf.

Which format and position to choose

A plain number at the bottom center is the convention for books, theses and most printed documents. It is unobtrusive and works for both left and right pages when printed double-sided. Business reports and contracts often use Page 1 of N in the bottom right corner. The total makes it obvious if a page is missing, which is why legal and procurement teams like it. The compact 1 / N style suits slide decks exported to PDF, where space is tight and the bottom edge may already hold a logo or a footer.

Top positions are useful when the bottom of the page is already busy with footnotes, signatures or form fields. Use a smaller font size (9–10 pt) for dense documents and a larger one (12–14 pt) for presentations that will be projected or read on a phone.

Tips

  • Numbering logic: the first numbered page gets the start number and each following numbered page adds one. “N” is the last number used. The settings panel shows the first and last labels before you apply.
  • Front matter: to leave a title page and table of contents unnumbered, use a range such as 4- and start at 1.
  • Margins: about 28 pt (1 cm) keeps numbers clear of the edge, where printers often cut off content. Increase it if your pages already have footers.
  • Combining documents? Merge them first, then add page numbers, so numbering runs across the whole file.

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