Add Page Numbers to PDF

Stamp page numbers on an existing PDF. Pick position, starting number, and whether to skip cover pages.

Drop a PDF here or

How to use

  1. Drop a PDF. The controls appear once the file loads.
  2. Pick a Position — bottom-center is the common default.
  3. Choose a Format (e.g. 1, 1 of 10, Page 1).
  4. Set Start from page to skip cover or front-matter pages, and Starting number for what number to print first.
  5. Click Add numbers, then Download.

What does it do?

This tool stamps page numbers onto an existing PDF using Helvetica in the position and format you choose. It does not re-render or rasterize the document — page content, text selection, and fonts remain intact. The new number is added as an extra text object on top of each page.

"Start from page" controls which physical page gets the first number; "Starting number" controls what that number is. The two together cover cover-page skipping, resuming numbering from a chapter, or numbering an appendix that starts at something other than 1.

Example

Realistic scenario:

Input: report.pdf — 12 pages
  - Page 1: cover (no number wanted)
  - Page 2: table of contents (no number wanted)
  - Pages 3-12: body (should show "1" through "10")

Settings:
  Position: Bottom-center
  Format: Page 1 of 10
  Starting number: 1
  Start from page: 3

Output: report-numbered.pdf
  - Page 1: cover (unchanged)
  - Page 2: TOC (unchanged)
  - Page 3: "Page 1 of 12"  <-- note "of" uses the total document pages (12)
  - Page 12: "Page 10 of 12"

If you'd rather the "of N" reflect only the numbered range, split the front matter into a separate PDF first with the PDF Splitter, number the body, then merge them back.

Why are my PDF page numbers in the wrong place?

These cover every common complaint about stamped page numbers on a PDF: either the number lands on the wrong spot, collides with existing content, or the counting is off.

  • Number sitting on top of a footer or footnote. Bump the Margin (pt) up — 36pt is half an inch. Try 54 or 72 for a cleaner gap.
  • Rotated page stamps the number along a side. Pages with a rotation flag (common in scanned PDFs) use a rotated drawing coordinate system. Fix rotation in the PDF Organizer first.
  • Font size set to 0 or 5. The tool clamps to 6–48. Anything below 6 becomes 6; anything above 48 becomes 48.
  • Output has two page numbers. The source already had numbers. This tool does not detect or overwrite existing numbers; you are stacking a second one on top. Pick a different corner or remove the originals at the source.
  • "Page 1 of 10" shows "Page 1 of 12". "of N" uses the total physical page count of the PDF, not the numbered range. If you want "of 10", split and number separately as in the example above.
  • Numbers cover the binding edge on a printed booklet. Use Bottom-right on odd pages and Bottom-left on even pages — but this tool does not alternate positions per page. For true alternating layout, use a dedicated desktop tool.

Is my data private?

Yes. We don't save the PDF you drop here, or the numbered copy you download. Nothing is stored, logged, or retained — everything is discarded the moment you close or refresh the tab. There's no record on our side of what you numbered. Feel free to verify in your browser's developer tools.

Frequently asked questions

How do I leave the cover page unnumbered and start numbering at 1 on page 2?

Set Start from page to 2 and Starting number to 1. Page 1 stays untouched, page 2 shows "1", page 3 shows "2", and so on. If the first two pages are a cover and a table of contents, set Start from page to 3 instead.

Can I use Roman numerals for front matter?

Not in this tool — only Arabic numerals are supported. For Roman-numeral front matter followed by Arabic numbering in the body, split the PDF, number each section separately with its own starting number, then merge the parts back together.

Will page numbers overlap existing page numbers printed on the original PDF?

Yes. This tool stamps numbers at the position you choose without checking what is already there. If the source already has numbers, pick a different corner (e.g. top-right when the original uses bottom-center) or remove them at the source.

Why do my page numbers look shifted on some pages?

Pages with a rotation flag (landscape scans, for example) draw text in the rotated coordinate system. The number may appear on what visually looks like a side edge. Fix the page rotation first with the PDF Organizer, then add numbers.

Can I change the font, color, or add a total-page count like "1 of 10"?

The font is fixed to Helvetica and the color is black. For total-page count, pick one of the "1 of 10" or "Page 1 of 10" formats in the Format dropdown — the tool automatically substitutes the real page count.

Do you save the PDFs I number here?

No. We don't save the PDF you drop in, and we don't keep the numbered version you download either. Everything is discarded when you close or refresh the tab — no logs, no record on our side of the file you processed. You're welcome to verify in your browser's developer tools.

Related tools

  • PDF Organizer — fix page rotation or order before numbering, so the numbers land where you expect.
  • PDF Merge — combine PDFs first, then add a single continuous numbering across the merged document.
  • PDF Split — separate front matter from the body so each range can be numbered independently.
  • PDF Compress — shrink the output afterwards for email or upload limits.
  • Images to PDF — build a fresh PDF from images, then come here to add numbers.
  • All PDF tools