How to add page numbers to a PDF
- Drop a PDF into the box or click to select one.
- Click a position on the page diagram: top or bottom, left, center or right.
- Pick a format (1, Page 1, Page 1 of N, or 1 / N) and set the start number, font size, margin and color.
- Tick Skip the first page for a cover, check the preview line, then click Add page numbers and download.
What you can do with Add Page Numbers
- Six positions
- Place numbers top left, top center, top right, bottom left, bottom center or bottom right using a visual picker.
- Four number formats
- Choose a plain number, Page 1, Page 1 of N or 1 / N. The total is calculated for you.
- Custom starting number
- Start at any number, for example 5 when the PDF continues from an earlier document, or 0 for a title page.
- Skip the cover page
- Leave the first page unnumbered so numbering begins at 1 on the second page.
- Size, margin and color
- Set the font size in points, the distance from the page edge, and any text color to match your document.
Page numbering formats, margins and cover pages
Page numbers make long PDFs easier to reference in meetings, court filings, theses and printed handouts. The numbers are drawn into the page content in Helvetica, so they appear in every viewer and when printed. The position adapts to each page, including rotated and landscape pages, so numbers stay at the visual bottom or top. A margin of 28 points (about 10 mm) clears most printers' unprintable border; increase it if your document has a footer that the number would overlap.
The Page 1 of N format is popular for contracts and forms because readers can tell immediately if a page is missing. When Skip the first page is on, N counts only the numbered pages, so a 10-page file with a cover reads Page 1 of 9 through Page 9 of 9. If you are assembling a document from several files, merge them first and number the combined PDF, so the sequence runs continuously from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded when I add page numbers?
No. Numbering is done in your browser with JavaScript, and the numbered PDF is saved straight to your device. The document is never sent to a server, so it is safe for legal filings and reports.
How do I start page numbering on page 2?
Tick Skip the first page (cover). The cover is left without a number and the second page is labeled 1. If you want the second page to show 2 instead, keep the box ticked and set Start at to 2.
Can I add Page X of Y to a PDF?
Yes. Choose the Page 1 of N format, or 1 / N for a shorter version. The total is calculated from the page count, your start number and whether the cover is skipped. The preview line shows the first and last labels.
Can I use Roman numerals or Bates numbering?
Not currently. The tool supports Arabic numerals in four formats with a custom start number. Starting at a higher number lets you continue a sequence across several files, which covers some simple Bates-style needs, but there is no text prefix option.
Will page numbers cover existing text?
They can if the page already has content at that spot. Increase the margin, choose a different corner, or reduce the font size. The numbers are drawn on top of the page, not inserted into a reserved footer.