Add page numbers in five steps
- Open Add Page Numbers and add the PDF.
- Choose where the numbers go: one of six positions.
- Choose the format, the starting number and the font size, and check the preview.
- Add the numbers and download the new copy.
- Scroll through it and confirm the numbers are clear of any text, footer or logo.
Position and format
| Setting | Choices |
|---|---|
| Position | Top left, top centre, top right, bottom left, bottom centre, bottom right |
| Format | 1, 2, 3… · Page 1, Page 2… · 1 of 12, 2 of 12… |
| Start from | Any number; the first page shows it and the rest count up |
| Font size | Set in points; the default is 12 |
Numbers are set in a plain sans-serif font, sit 30 points (about 1 cm) in from the page edge by default, and are real text, so they stay selectable and searchable. Bottom centre is the safe choice for almost any document.
Starting somewhere other than 1
Set Start from when the file continues numbering from elsewhere, such as a chapter that follows an earlier part. One detail catches people out: in the “1 of 12” format, the second number is the last page number, not the page count. A 10-page file that starts at 5 counts 5, 6 … 14, so the last page reads “14 of 14”. If you want “of 10”, start at 1.
Printed numbers versus the viewer’s counter
The numbers you add are part of the page. A PDF viewer’s own page box, such as “3 / 20”, still counts the physical pages from 1. When you use Start from, the two will differ: the printed number on the third page might read 7 while the viewer says 3. That is expected. Tell readers which one to use when you cite pages, especially in a document that will be read on screen.
Covers, front matter and double-sided pages
Every page is numbered, and there is one position for the whole document. That means no Roman numerals, no “different first page”, and no left-and-right alternating numbers. Two common cases have a simple workaround:
- Leave the cover unnumbered. Split the cover off, number the remaining pages with Start from set to 2, then merge the cover back at the front. The body pages then read 2, 3, 4 and so on.
- Printing double-sided. Use a centred position, because a corner on the right looks wrong on the back of the sheet.
Number the final version last
The numbers are stamped onto the pages. If you merge, delete or reorder afterwards, they will not renumber. Finish the document first: merge the parts (see the merge guide), remove and reorder and rotate pages as needed, then add the numbers.
Landscape and rotated pages
The numbers follow the page the way a reader sees it. On a landscape or rotated page, a bottom-centre number appears at the bottom edge of what you see on screen, not along the page’s original bottom. Scanned documents with a few sideways pages therefore come out sensibly numbered once those pages have been rotated.
Check the result
- Is the number clear of existing footers, logos and page margins? If not, change the position or the font size.
- Does the first number match what you intended?
- Is the font large enough to read when printed?
Privacy and limits
Numbering runs in your browser, so the file is not uploaded. Files up to 256 MB are accepted, or 128 MB on browsers that report 4 GB of memory or less. A password-protected file needs to be unlocked first; see the unlock guide.
People also ask
Common questions
Can I start numbering from a number other than 1?
Yes. Set Start from to the number the first page should show. Every page after it counts up from there.
Can I skip the cover page?
Not in one step, because every page is numbered. Split the cover off, number the rest with Start from set to 2 (or whatever number you want), then merge the cover back in front.
Does it support Roman numerals?
No. The formats are 1, Page 1 and 1 of 12.
Can it put numbers on alternating sides for double-sided printing?
No. Each position applies to every page. Pick a centred position for double-sided documents.
Why does “of 12” show a different total than my page count?
The total is the last number, not the number of pages. If you start at 5 in a 10-page file, the last page reads 14 and the format shows “of 14”.
Will the numbers update if I add or remove pages later?
No. They are stamped on the pages. Finish merging, deleting and reordering first, then number the final file.
Does it work on landscape or rotated pages?
Yes. Numbers go to the edge the reader sees, so a rotated or landscape page gets its number at the visible bottom or top.