Add Page Numbers to a PDF

Put a number on every sheet so printed copies stay in order. Choose the corner, the wording and which number to start from.

Files are never uploaded

How to use it

Add your PDF

Drop the document onto the box above, or click to browse. The numbering runs across the file in page order.

Pick the corner

Bottom centre is the familiar spot for a report. Bottom right suits documents that are read as a stack, and the top positions help when the footer is already busy.

Choose the wording

A bare number is the cleanest. Page 1 is clearer for readers who print single sheets, and the x of y styles tell the reader how much is left.

Set the starting number

Leave it at 1 for a normal document. If this file is the second part of a larger report, start where the previous part finished so the sequence continues.

Download the numbered PDF

Press Add Page Numbers, then save the result. The numbers become real text, so they stay searchable and copyable.

Common issues

Double numbering on exported documents

Many files already carry a footer number, so adding ours gives a line that reads Page 3 followed by 3. Check one page before you number the whole document.

A margin too small for a home printer

Most printers cannot print to the very edge. If the number sits ten points from the paper edge it may be clipped. Keep the margin at twenty points or more.

Starting numbers after a split

If you numbered pages 1 to 20 and later split off pages 5 to 10, those sheets will read 5 to 10, not 1 to 6. Set the start value again after splitting if you want a fresh sequence.

The x of y format running into other footer text

The 1 of 10 style is wider than a bare number. Give it a centre position, or room in the margin, so it does not collide with existing footer content.

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave the first page unnumbered?

Not directly — numbers run across every page. Split off the cover page, number the rest, then merge the cover back at the front.

Can I use Roman numerals?

Not yet. The format list offers plain numbers and the x of y styles. Roman numbering is on our list.

Does numbering follow the page order I see?

Yes. Numbers are written in the document page order, so the first page in the file takes your starting number.

Will a number cover existing content?

It is drawn in the margin you choose. If a page already has text in that spot, increase the margin to push the number further from the edge, or choose another corner.

What does the margin setting mean?

Margin is the distance in points between the page edge and the number. There are 72 points to an inch, so the default of 28 points sits just inside the usual print area.

Can viewers search for the page number?

Yes. The number is real text, not an image, so it can be selected, copied and found with a search.

Does it work on landscape pages?

Yes. The number is placed relative to each page, so portrait and landscape sheets both end up with a correct position.

Will the existing page numbers be removed?

No. If the document already prints its own numbers, both sets will appear. Crop the original footer away first, or accept the double numbering.

Is anything uploaded?

No. The numbering happens locally in your browser.

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About this page. Written and maintained by the AI-Mind team. Last reviewed 11 October 2026. This tool runs entirely in your browser. Found an error or have a suggestion? Use the feedback form above or email [email protected].