Edit PDF
Add Page Numbers to a PDF Online
Page numbers seem trivial until you need them on a 60-page report and you're trying to do it in Word. Print PDF, scan, give up. Adding page numbers to an existing PDF takes 10 seconds in our editor — pick a position (bottom-center is conventional), pick a format (1, 2, 3 or Page 1 of 60), pick a starting number, done.
- Works in your browser — no install
- Files private and isolated to your workspace
- Free tier covers most everyday use
What you should know
Where to put page numbers
Bottom-center is the most common (academic papers, reports, books). Bottom-right is common for legal filings and contracts. Top-right is common for technical documentation. Avoid bottom-left — it conflicts with margin notes in some templates.
Common formats
Plain: 1, 2, 3. With label: Page 1, Page 2. With total: Page 1 of 60. Roman numerals: i, ii, iii (used for prefatory matter — title page, TOC). Custom prefix: Section A.1, Section A.2 — useful for multi-section documents.
Skip pages or start mid-document
Title pages, TOCs, and acknowledgements are usually unnumbered or numbered with Roman numerals. We let you exclude specific pages or restart numbering at any page (e.g., Arabic 1 starts on page 5, the first page of Chapter 1).
Don't double-up
If your PDF already has page numbers (e.g., it was printed from Word with page numbers in the footer), adding more will produce two sets of page numbers. Remove the existing ones with our edit-pdf tool first, or skip the affected pages.
Tips that actually help
- Match your page-number font to the body text font when possible. Helvetica or Times in 10pt is standard.
- For double-sided printing, use 'Page X of Y' so readers know how many pages remain.
- Add a header/footer rule (a thin line) above page numbers in formal documents — looks more polished.
- Save the original without page numbers in case you need to renumber later.
Add page numbers.
No install, no signup wall, no watermark on paid plans.
Frequently asked questions
Can I number only pages 5–60 and leave 1–4 unnumbered?
Yes — exclude pages 1–4 in our numbering options. Common for reports with title page, TOC, etc.
How do I use Roman numerals for the front matter?
Apply numbering twice: pass 1 for pages 1–4 in Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv), pass 2 for pages 5+ in Arabic (1, 2, 3...).
Can I customize the page number font and color?
Yes — pick from common fonts (Helvetica, Times) and any color. Default is black 10pt Helvetica.
Will the page numbers print correctly?
Yes — they're embedded in the PDF as text, so they print exactly where you placed them.
Can I use 'Page X of Y' format?
Yes — pick the 'Page X of Y' template. Y is auto-set to your total page count.
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