Add Page Numbers to PDF
Number the pages of a PDF, choosing the position, format and starting number.
Files are processed entirely in your browser — they're never uploaded to a server.
Put page numbers on a PDF without editing software
Add Page Numbers to PDF writes a number on each page of a PDF: in one of six positions, as a plain number or with “Page” and the total, starting from any number you like. You can number every page or only some, for example everything after a cover page.
The numbers are added on top of the existing pages, so the content, links, form fields and bookmarks stay as they are. The PDF is processed in your browser and isn’t uploaded.
How to number the pages of a PDF
- Drop one PDF on the upload area, or click it to choose a file. The file list shows how many pages it has.
- Pick a position: top or bottom, and left, centre or right. Bottom centre is selected to begin with.
- Choose a format — 1, Page 1, Page 1 of 9 or 1 / 9 — and the number to start at.
- Adjust the font size (8–36 pt), the distance from the edge in millimetres and the colour (black or dark grey) if you need to.
- Keep All pages, or choose Selected pages and list the pages to number, e.g. 2- to skip the cover. A line above the button shows the first and last number you’ll get.
- Click Add page numbers. The numbered copy downloads with -numbered added to its name, so thesis.pdf becomes thesis-numbered.pdf.
Documents that benefit from page numbers
- Reports and theses: number the body but not the title page.
- Contracts and applications: “Page 3 of 12” makes it obvious if a page goes missing.
- Merged documents: after combining files with Merge PDF, number the result as one document.
Tips for neat numbering
- Put the pages in their final order first — Organize PDF can reorder, delete and add pages — and number last.
- The default distance of 12 mm suits most office documents. Increase it if the number sits too close to the edge for your printer.
- Numbers are drawn over the page without a background, so check pages with footers or full-page images and pick a position that stays clear of them.
How the numbers are counted
Only the pages you number are counted
Numbers run one after another over the pages you choose, in page order, beginning with your start number. Pages you leave out are skipped and don’t use up a number.
So for a 10-page PDF with “2-” selected and a start of 1, page 2 shows 1 and page 10 shows 9. If you want page 2 to show 2 instead, set the start number to 2.
What “of N” means
In “Page 1 of 9” and “1 / 9”, the total is the last number that appears — the start number plus the number of numbered pages, minus one. With pages 2–10 numbered from 1, that is 9; numbered from 2, it is 10.
To continue numbering from another document, set the start number to where that one ended, plus one. The total then counts on from there too.
Placement on rotated and cropped pages
Each number is placed on the page as a PDF viewer shows it. Pages that are turned sideways get their number upright along the edge you chose, and pages with a cropped visible area are measured from the edge you can see.
The distance is measured from the page edge to the bottom of the number for bottom positions and to the top of the capitals for top positions. If it’s too large for a small page, it is reduced so the number stays on the page.
Add Page Numbers to PDF: common questions
Can I skip the first page?
Yes. Choose Selected pages and type 2- in the page box. Page 2 then shows 1, unless you change the start number. You can skip any pages the same way, e.g. 3-12, 15.
Can numbering start at 0 or another number?
Yes, any whole number from 0 upwards. The “of N” total is adjusted to match, so it always equals the last number shown.
Which font is used?
Helvetica, a standard font that every PDF reader has built in, so no font is embedded and the file barely grows. The word “Page” is always in English.
Can I remove the numbers later?
Not with this tool. The numbers become part of the page, so keep your original file if you might need an unnumbered version.
Why is my PDF refused as password-protected?
Encrypted PDFs can’t be changed here, including some that open without a password but restrict editing. Remove the protection first and try again.
Is the PDF uploaded?
No. The file is read and numbered in your browser, and the result goes straight to your device. See the other PDF tools for more ways to edit PDFs locally.