Add page numbers to PDF

What is the Page Numbers tool?

This tool stamps page numbers onto every page of a PDF — choose where they sit, what format they follow, and which number to start from, and watch a live thumbnail of every single page update instantly as you adjust the settings. What you see in the preview grid is exactly what you'll get in the downloaded file.

Everything runs locally in your browser — your file is never uploaded to a server, so it's fast and private even for confidential documents.

How to use it

1. Drop your PDF onto the upload area, or click it to browse your device.
2. Every page renders as a thumbnail below, with a live number preview shown right on the page.
3. Choose a position from the 3×3 grid — top, middle, or bottom, and left, center, or right.
4. Choose a format: plain numbers, "Page 1, Page 2…", "1 of 10, 2 of 10…", or dash-styled numbers.
5. Set the starting number if you don't want to begin at 1, and optionally turn on "Skip first page" for a cover page.
6. Adjust font size and color — every page thumbnail updates instantly as you change any setting.
7. Once it looks right, click Add page numbers and download your file.

Why seeing every page matters

Different pages in the same document can look very different — some have text right up to the edges, others have wide margins, and a cover page often looks nothing like the rest. Seeing a live preview across the entire document, not just a single mock-up, means you can catch a number overlapping real content on a specific page before you download the final file.

Choosing a position

The most common choice is bottom-center or bottom-right — the traditional spot for page numbers in books, reports, and printed documents. Top positions work well for documents with a lot of content near the bottom of each page, and side positions can suit wide or landscape-oriented documents.

Choosing a format

• 1, 2, 3… — the simplest, most common format for everyday documents
• Page 1, Page 2… — more explicit, useful for informal or internal documents
• 1 of 10, 2 of 10… — shows readers exactly how many pages remain, common in contracts and forms
• – 1 –, – 2 –… — a stylistic dash format seen in some formal or published documents

Starting number and skipping the cover page

If your document is part of a larger set — like a second volume, or an appendix that continues from a main report — you can set a custom starting number so the numbering picks up correctly rather than restarting at 1. Many formal documents also skip numbering on the cover page: turning on "Skip first page" leaves page one blank in the preview and starts the visible numbering from page two.

How it works technically

The tool renders every page of your PDF directly in your browser and overlays a live text preview showing exactly where and how each number will appear. When you click "Add page numbers," it stamps the same numbers as real, selectable text directly into the underlying PDF page content using the fonts already built into PDF viewers — no image is layered on top, so the numbers stay sharp at any zoom level.

Common uses

• Numbering pages in a report, thesis, or manuscript before printing or submission
• Adding "Page X of Y" numbering to a contract so every page is clearly accounted for
• Preparing a document for binding or printing where page order matters
• Continuing page numbering across a multi-part document series
• Adding numbers to a scanned document that didn't originally have them

File size and privacy

Because numbering happens entirely on your device, there's no upload wait and no privacy risk. Very large files or a very high page count may take a little longer to render thumbnails for, depending on your device's available memory, since everything runs locally rather than on a remote server.

Frequently asked questions

Can I number a PDF that already has some numbers printed on it?

Yes, but keep in mind this tool adds a new number on top of the existing page content — since you can see the live preview across every page, you can spot any overlap with existing numbers and choose a different position to avoid it.

Will adding numbers affect the rest of my content?

No — the original content of every page stays exactly as it was; the page number is simply added as new text in the position you chose.

Can I number a password-protected PDF?

Password-protected files need to be unlocked first. Use the Unlock PDF tool to remove the password, then upload the unlocked file here.

Can I remove page numbers later if I change my mind?

This tool adds numbers as part of the page content, so removing them afterward would require editing the PDF directly. It's a good idea to keep your original, unnumbered file as a backup before downloading the numbered version.