Add page numbers to a PDF
Stamp numbers onto every page — choose the position, format and where counting starts.
Free · No signup · No watermark · Files never leave your browser
Drop your PDF here
or click to browse — numbering happens on your device, nothing is uploaded
How to add page numbers in 4 steps
- 1
Open your PDF
Drop the file onto the box. Page one is drawn straight away so you can see where the number will land.
- 2
Choose a position and format
Six positions are available, and the number can read as 1, Page 1, 1 of 12 or Page 1 of 12.
- 3
Skip the pages that should not be numbered
Set which page to start stamping on so a cover or title page stays clean, and choose what number the counting begins at.
- 4
Download the numbered PDF
The numbers are written into the file on your device and the finished document is saved to your downloads.
Why numbering matters more than it seems
Page numbers are what let someone say “look at the third paragraph on page nine” instead of scrolling and guessing. Contracts, submissions, court bundles and academic work usually require them, and a document assembled from several sources almost never arrives with them.
Covers, and where the count should start
Most documents want the cover left blank and the count starting on the page after it. Sometimes the opposite is true and the cover counts as page one even though nothing is printed on it. Those are two different settings here — which page gets stamped first, and what number it is given — so either convention is available.
Choosing a position
Bottom centre is the safe default and reads naturally in a printed document. Bottom right suits single-sided documents that will be flicked through by the corner. Top positions are worth avoiding when the pages already carry a header.
Add Page Numbers — frequently asked questions
Are my files uploaded to a server?+
No. The numbers are written into the document inside your browser, so the file never leaves your computer.
Can I start numbering on page 3?+
Yes. Set the first page to stamp to 3 and the two pages before it stay untouched. You can separately choose which number that page gets, so a report can start its cover-free count at 1.
Does it work when pages are different sizes?+
Yes. Each page is measured on its own, so the number sits the same distance from the edge whether the page is A4, US Letter or a wide landscape sheet.
Will the number cover up my content?+
It can, if the page already has something in that corner. The margin control moves the number further in or out, and the preview shows page one so you can check before committing.
Can I use Roman numerals or a custom prefix?+
Not in this tool. The four formats offered are plain numbers with or without the word Page and an optional total. Anything more elaborate needs a full editor.
Can I remove page numbers that are already in a PDF?+
No. Existing numbers are part of the page content and cannot be stripped out here. This tool only adds a new number on top.
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