Add page numbers to PDF for free
Number the pages of a paper, contract or handout: in the footer or the header, centered or in a corner, skipping the cover if you like.
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See all PDF tools →How to number the pages of a PDF
Drop the PDF and pick where the number goes (bottom or top; left, center or right), the format — “1”, “1 / 10” or “Page 1 of 10” — and the size. The preview shows the page with its number before you confirm.
To leave the cover unnumbered, set “Start numbering on page” to 2. “First number” sets the number that page gets: with a cover and a table of contents, for example, start on page 3 with number 1 — or with 3, if your style guide counts the cover.
The number goes in as real text, at a print-friendly size, and works on landscape and rotated pages. The rest of the page is untouched: nothing becomes an image.
Everything runs in your browser, with no upload. After numbering, you can go straight to Sign PDF or Compress PDF without choosing the file again.
Example: the thesis with a cover and contents page
A thesis has a cover, title page and table of contents, and numbering must show from the introduction on page 4, counting the earlier pages. Set Start numbering on page to 4 and First number to 4, top right as your style guide asks. The preview shows the page with the number before you download.
Questions about numbering PDF pages
How do I skip the cover?
Start numbering at page 2 (or after the contents) with Start numbering on page. First number sets which number that page gets.
Which number formats are there?
“1”, “1 / 10” and “Page 1 of 10”, top or bottom, left, center or right, at the size you choose.
Does the number show on landscape pages?
Yes, in the right place: the tool respects landscape and rotated pages.
Can I edit the number later?
The number goes into the PDF as text. To change it, number again from the original file.
Pages read with PDF.js (Mozilla, Apache-2.0 license) and the PDF written with pdf-lib (Andrew Dillon, MIT license), inside your browser.