How to add page numbers to a PDF
- Drop a PDF on the box above or click Choose a PDF. A preview of the first numbered page appears on the right.
- Choose the style, for example "Page 1 of 10", or edit the text yourself. Write
{n}where the page number goes and{total}for the last number. - Pick the position from six places: top or bottom, each on the left, centre or right.
- Set Start on page and First number if the first pages should be left out or the numbering should begin at another value, then adjust the font size, the distance from the edge and the colour. The preview updates as you change them.
- Click Add page numbers and download
yourfile-numbered.pdf. Your original is not changed.
The work is done in your browser. Your document is never uploaded, and there is no sign-up, watermark or limit on pages or files.
Starting later and choosing the first number
Start on page is the first page that receives a number; pages before it stay blank. First number is the value printed on that page, and every following page adds one. Two common set-ups:
- Cover without a number, text starting at 1. Start on page 2, first number 1. Page 2 shows "Page 1 of 9" in a 10-page file, because the total counts only the numbered pages.
- Cover counts as page 1. Start on page 2, first number 2. Page 2 shows "Page 2 of 10" and the last page shows 10.
You can also begin at a high number, for example 101, when the file is a continuation of a longer document.
Letters, languages and fonts
Plain text such as "Page 3 of 10" uses a standard PDF font, so the file barely grows. If your text contains letters that standard fonts cannot show, such as Vietnamese tone marks in "Trang số 3", the tool embeds a small part of the Noto Sans font, which is served from this site, so the characters appear correctly in every viewer. Numbers are always drawn on top of the existing page content, with a size you control.
Worked example
You are assembling a 12-page report with a cover. Choose Page {n} of {total}, position bottom centre, Start on page 2, First number 1 and font size 11. The cover is untouched; page 2 reads "Page 1 of 11"; the last page reads "Page 11 of 11". If a printed table of contents refers to the numbers on the pages, this is the numbering it will match. Switching the position to bottom right and the text to {n} gives the classic plain number in the corner.
Tips
- Keep numbers out of the content. Check the preview: a distance of about 10–15 mm from the edge usually clears printer margins and headers.
- Sizes 10–12 pt are easy to read without drawing attention. Use gray for a discreet look on busy pages.
- Number after merging. If the document is made of several files, merge and reorder first, then add the numbers.
- Roman numerals are not supported; the numbers are Arabic digits.
- Existing numbers. The tool adds new text and cannot remove numbers that are already part of the pages.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. The numbers are added in your browser and the new file is saved on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
How do I leave the cover page without a number?
Set Start on page to 2. The first page is left untouched and numbering begins on page 2. Use First number to decide what that page shows, for example 1, or 2 if the cover counts as page 1.
Can I write “Page 1 of 10” or add my own words?
Yes. Choose a style or type your own text and use {n} for the page number and {total} for the last number, for example Page {n} of {total} or Annex A – {n}. Accented and Vietnamese letters work too.
Where can the numbers go?
In any of six places: top or bottom, left, centre or right. You can also set the distance from the edge in millimetres, the font size and the colour. The preview shows the result before you save.
Does it work on pages that are rotated or have different sizes?
Yes. The number is placed relative to the page as it is shown, so it appears upright at the chosen position on rotated pages and on pages of any size.