Quick answer
To number a PDF, choose the file, pick a position (top or bottom; left, centre or right), a style (“1”, “1 / 10”, “- 1 -”, “Page 1”, “Page 1 of 10”), the first number and how many opening pages to skip, check the preview, then click “Add page numbers” and download. The file is processed in your browser and never uploaded; files up to 100 MB are supported.
What does adding page numbers to a PDF do?
Page numbers help readers find their place, cite the right page and notice when a printout is missing a sheet. This tool prints numbers onto every page of an existing PDF (contracts, theses, scanned records, documents merged from several sources) without touching the existing content, so text stays selectable and images stay sharp.
How to add page numbers to a PDF
- 1
Click “Choose files” or drop a PDF into the box.
- 2
Pick a “Position” on the six-spot diagram (three at the top, three at the bottom) and a “Style”. The “Preview” draws the number on the first numbered page.
- 3
Set the “First number” and “Skip the first pages” (for example 1 to leave the cover blank), then the font size, distance from the edge and text colour.
- 4
Click “Add page numbers”, use “Preview” to open the result, then “Download”.
Number styles
For a 10-page file with no pages skipped:
| Style | Printed on page 3 | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Books, everyday documents |
| 1 / 10 | 3 / 10 | Paperwork you send out, so the recipient knows it is complete |
| - 1 - | - 3 - | Formal documents with a centred footer |
| Page 1 | Page 3 | Handouts |
| Page 1 of 10 | Page 3 of 10 | Contracts and long agreements |
On the Vietnamese page, “Page” becomes “Trang” (“Trang 3 / 10”).
First number and skipped pages
| Setting | Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start 1, skip 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Start 1, skip 1 (cover) | (none) | 1 | 2 |
| Start 5, skip 0 (continuing a set) | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Start 3, skip 2 | (none) | (none) | 3 |
Swipe sideways to see the whole table →
Real-world examples
A thesis with a cover and title page
Skip 2, start at 1, bottom centre, style “1”. The declaration page becomes page 1.
A contract going to a client
Style “Page 1 of 10”, bottom right, 9 pt. The recipient can see at a glance whether every page arrived.
A bundle merged from several files
Merge them with “Merge PDF”, fix the order with “Organize PDF Pages”, then number the whole bundle continuously.
Common problems
- The number overlaps text or an existing footer.
- Increase “Distance from edge” or move the number to the top. Check the preview before creating the file.
- The document already has old page numbers.
- The tool only adds numbers; it cannot erase old ones because they are part of the page content. Put the new numbers elsewhere or start from an unnumbered original.
- “Password or editing restrictions”.
- Open the file in a PDF reader, choose Print › Save as PDF for an unlocked copy, and number that copy.
- I need Roman numerals or another language.
- Numbers use Helvetica, which every PDF reader already has, so the styles are limited to the list (digits plus “Page”). Roman numerals for front matter are not supported yet.
- Landscape or rotated pages get the number in the wrong place.
- Positions follow the page as it is displayed, so numbers land at the visible bottom even on pages rotated 90°. If a page has an unusual visible area (very wide white margins), adjust “Distance from edge” and check again.
Font and placement
Numbers are set in Helvetica, one of the 14 standard fonts that every PDF reader must provide under the PDF specification (ISO 32000). Because no font file is embedded, the PDF barely grows and there are no font licensing issues. The trade-off is that the font has no accented letters, which is why the styles stick to digits, “/”, “-” and the word “Page”.
Positions are measured inside each page's visible area (its CropBox), taking page rotation into account. Font size and edge distance are in points (pt, 1 pt = 1/72 inch ≈ 0.35 mm); 28 pt is about 1 cm.
Glossary
- Point (pt)
- The PDF unit of length, 1/72 inch (about 0.35 mm). Body text is usually 10–12 pt.
- Footer
- The strip at the bottom of a page where page numbers usually go.
- CropBox
- The visible area of a PDF page; anything outside it is hidden on screen and in print.
- Standard PDF fonts
- The 14 fonts (Helvetica, Times, Courier and others) that PDF readers always have, so they need not be embedded.
Frequently asked questions
Is my document uploaded?
No. The file is read and numbered in your browser.
Can I skip the cover page?
Yes. Enter how many opening pages to skip in “Skip the first pages”; the next page gets the “First number”.
Can numbering start at something other than 1?
Yes, any number from 0, for example when the file continues an earlier set.
Can it say “Page 3 of 10”?
Yes, choose the “Page 1 of 10” style. “Page 1” and “- 1 -” are also available.
Does numbering reduce quality?
No. The numbers are added as a new text layer and the existing content is untouched; the file grows only slightly.
What is the file size limit?
100 MB per file.
Ratings and comments
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