Add Page Numbers to PDF

Why number the pages of a PDF

Page numbers are what make a long document usable in conversation. A reviewer can write “see page 14”, a printed copy can be put back in order after it is dropped, and a court or university submission can meet formatting rules that require numbered pages. When the PDF came from a scanner or a system that did not number it, adding numbers afterwards is the only option.

Numbering options

Add Page Numbers gives you control over how numbers look and where they go:

• Position: top or bottom of the page, aligned left, center, or right.
• Starting number: begin at 1 or any other number, useful when the PDF continues from another document.
• Page range: number only part of the document, for example starting after a cover page.
• Font, size, and color so the numbers match the rest of the document.

Skipping a cover or front matter

Most documents should not show a number on the cover. Set the page range to start at page 2 and the starting number to 1, and numbering begins on the first real page. The same approach works for skipping a table of contents or other front matter.

Quality and privacy

Numbers are added as a text layer on top of each page. The original pages, images, and fonts are not touched, so the document keeps its quality, and there is no watermark. Numbering runs entirely in your browser; the PDF is not uploaded to a server.

Headers, footers, and the rest of the finishing

If you need more than a number, such as a title, a date, or “Page 3 of 12” alongside a confidentiality line, use Header & Footer. To make long documents easier to navigate on screen, add bookmarks and generate a table of contents.