How to add page numbers to a PDF
Number the pages of any PDF in a few clicks. Choose where the numbers go and how they look, skip the cover page if you like, and check a live preview before you download.
- 1
Add your PDF
Drop it onto the box above or tap “choose a file”. A preview of the first page appears next to the options.
- 2
Choose position and format
Pick one of six positions: top or bottom, left, center or right. Then pick a style: 1, Page 1, 1 / 10 or Page 1 of 10.
- 3
Fine-tune
Set the font size in px and pick any text color, choose the starting number, and tick “Skip the first page” to leave a cover page unnumbered. The preview updates as you go.
- 4
Download
Press “Add page numbers”. The numbered PDF downloads straight away with “-numbered” added to its name.
Which style should I use?
- “Page 1 of 10” is the safest choice for contracts, legal documents and anything printed, because a missing page is obvious immediately.
- “1” is clean and familiar for reports, theses and manuals.
- Bottom center is the most common position and works for single- and double-sided printing.
- Bottom right is easy to find when flicking through a single-sided printout.
Not sure? Try a couple of options; the preview shows exactly how the first numbered page will look.
Starting from a different number
“Start at” lets numbering pick up where another document left off, so an appendix can continue from page 41, or a chapter exported on its own can keep its book page numbers. Combine it with “Skip the first page” so a cover or title page stays clean and numbering starts on the page after it.
To number only a section in the middle of a document, extract that section with Extract PDF Pages, number it here, and combine the parts again with Merge PDF.
Works with landscape and rotated pages
Numbers are placed according to how each page is displayed, not how it happens to be stored in the file. A landscape spreadsheet page, or a scan that was rotated sideways, gets its number in the same corner as every other page, reading the right way up. Numbers sit about a centimeter in from the edge of the page, clear of most content and printer margins.
Numbers for printed and bound documents
If your document will be printed double-sided and bound, like a thesis, booklet or manual, bottom center is the safest position because the number stays visible on both left- and right-hand pages, whichever way the sheet is turned. Corner positions put every number in the same corner of the page, which is perfect for single-sided printouts and on-screen reading but can end up near the binding on double-sided prints.
For legal bundles and court documents, check the rules you’re working to: many require continuous numbering across the whole bundle, which is easy to achieve by merging everything first and then numbering the combined file once.
Everything else stays intact
Page numbers are added on top of your existing pages, so bookmarks, links, form fields and the rest of the document are preserved. Your PDF is processed entirely in your browser and never uploaded, which makes this a safe choice for confidential documents.
Want to mark pages with a word instead, like DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL? Use Watermark PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave the cover page without a number?
Yes. Tick “Skip the first page (cover)” and numbering starts on the second page, beginning at your “Start at” number.
Can I start numbering from 0 or another number?
Yes. Set “Start at” to any whole number, including 0.
Can I change the size and color of the numbers?
Yes. Set any font size from 6 to 72 px and choose any color with the color picker, or tap one of the suggested colors. Numbers use a clean Helvetica font, which reads well on almost any page.
Will the numbers cover my content?
They’re placed about a centimeter from the edge, which is clear of the content on most pages. Check the preview to be sure.
Can I remove page numbers later?
Numbers become part of the page, so keep your original PDF if you might want an unnumbered version.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. Choose your options, check the preview and download, right in your phone’s browser.
Can I number several PDFs at once?
Not in one step. Number each file separately, or combine them with Merge PDF first and number the merged document so the numbering runs continuously.