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How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF

By MyPDFKitty Editorial Team · Updated 2026-05-01

Quick answer

Open the PDF in our editor, choose page-number position (bottom-center, bottom-right, top-right), pick a format (1 / 2 / 3 or Page 1 of N), and apply. You can start numbering from any page (e.g., Roman numerals for the first 4 pages, then Arabic 1 from page 5).

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Where to put page numbers

Common formats

When to skip pages

Title pages, tables of contents, and acknowledgements are usually unnumbered or numbered with Roman numerals separately from the main text. Most authors use Roman i–iv for front matter, then Arabic 1 starting on the first page of Chapter 1. Set the start page to 5 (or wherever main content begins) to skip the front matter.

Don't double up

If your PDF was printed from Word with page numbers in the footer already, adding more produces two sets. Either remove the existing footer first using our PDF editor, or skip the affected pages in the new numbering.

Step-by-step

  1. Step 1

    Upload your PDF

    Drop the report, contract, or book draft.

  2. Step 2

    Pick position

    Bottom-center is conventional. Bottom-right is common in legal.

  3. Step 3

    Pick format

    1, 2, 3 — or Page 1 of N for double-sided documents.

  4. Step 4

    Set start page (optional)

    Skip front matter or use Roman numerals for the first few pages.

  5. Step 5

    Apply

    Page numbers are written into the PDF and stay with the file.

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FAQ

Can I number only pages 5–60 and leave 1–4 unnumbered?+

Yes — exclude pages 1–4 in the numbering options. Common pattern for reports with title page and TOC.

How do I use Roman numerals for the front matter?+

Apply numbering twice: first pass Roman numerals on pages 1–4, second pass Arabic numbers from page 5 onwards.

Will the numbers print correctly?+

Yes — they're embedded as text in the PDF and print exactly where placed.

Try it now

Open the PDF in our editor, choose page-number position (bottom-center, bottom-right, top-right), pick a format (1 / 2 / 3 or Page 1 of N), and apply.

Open the PDF editor