Page Numbers
Add page numbers to a PDF in six positions as 1, 2, 3, Roman numerals, Page X of Y or your own pattern. Skip the cover and preview it, with no upload.
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Read the full guide: How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF Without Uploading It
About This Tool
Page Numbers writes a page number onto each page of a PDF. Choose one of six positions along the top or bottom edge, a style such as 1, 2, 3 or Page X of Y, a start number, and the font size, margin and colour, check the preview, then click Add Page Numbers to download a numbered copy.
Four styles are available: plain numbers, upper-case Roman numerals, Page X of Y, and a custom pattern built from {page} and {total}, for example Section 4, page {page} of {total}. Prefix and suffix fields add fixed text either side. Font size runs from 6 to 72 (default 12) and the margin from 10 to 100 points (default 30). You can leave the cover unnumbered, number only odd or only even pages, or put odd and even numbers on opposite sides for double-sided printing.
Numbers are drawn on top of the existing content in Helvetica, so the original text, bookmarks and form fields stay as they were. Helvetica covers Western European Latin characters; other scripts and some symbols in a prefix or pattern can make processing fail. Numbering follows the physical page order and does not detect numbers already printed, so pick a position that is empty on every page. The file downloads with _numbered added to its name. For a running title or date, Header & Footer is the better fit.
The numbering is applied in your browser tab and the PDF is not uploaded. When paginating a compiled submission appendix or a report bundle, combine the parts with Merge PDF first so the count runs continuously, and keep the start number at 1 if you use {total}, because the total counts numbered pages rather than the last number printed.
Step-by-step instructions and common mistakes: How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF Without Uploading It.
How to Use
Add your PDF
Drop one PDF on the upload area or click to browse.
Pick a position and format
Select one of the six positions, then a style, a start number and any prefix, suffix or custom pattern.
Set the look and the pages
Adjust font size, margin and colour, tick Skip first page (cover page) if needed, and choose a page mode for odd and even pages.
Preview, apply and download
Step through the preview pages, click Add Page Numbers, then download the numbered copy.
Use Cases
Paginate a review bundle
Number a merged pack of supporting reports so reviewers can cite exact pages in their comments.
Number front matter in Roman numerals
Give a preface or contents section I, II, III before merging it with the main body numbered 1, 2, 3.
Print double-sided
Put odd numbers bottom right and even numbers bottom left so every number sits on the outer edge of the printed sheet.
Label an annex
Use a custom pattern such as Annex B, page {page} so each page shows which annex it belongs to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add Page X of Y?
Choose the Page X of Y style, or Custom with a pattern such as Page {page} of {total}. Keep the start number at 1, because the total is the number of numbered pages, not the last number shown.
Can I leave the cover page unnumbered?
Yes. Tick Skip first page (cover page). The second page then carries your start number and the total leaves the cover out. Open the downloaded file to confirm the numbering.
Can I number only some of the pages?
You can skip the first page or number only odd or only even pages, but there is no page-range setting. Split the section out with Split PDF, number it, and join it back with Merge PDF.
Why does processing fail with my prefix?
Numbers use the standard Helvetica font, which can only encode Western European Latin characters. Remove other scripts or unusual symbols from the prefix, suffix or pattern and try again.
Will the numbers cover existing text?
They are drawn over whatever is already at that spot, with no background box. Choose a position that is blank on every page, and check landscape or rotated pages, where a number can land on an unexpected edge.