Add Page Numbers to PDF
Place page numbers on every page of your PDF — choose the position and the starting number.
Choose where the number should sit and what number to start counting from, then upload your PDF. Bottom-center is the safest default for most documents; a court filing, bound report, or academic paper each has a different convention worth knowing before you pick.
Before you start
Three simple steps
Set position & start number
Choose where numbers appear and which number to start from.
Upload PDF
Choose the file you want numbered.
Download
Get your numbered PDF instantly.
Choosing a position
Bottom-center works for almost everything and is the safest default if you're not sure. Bottom-left or bottom-right suits documents that will be printed double-sided and bound on one side — this tool applies the same fixed position to every page, so pick whichever side matches your binding edge. Top-of-page placement, common in academic and legal work, isn't available yet.
Mind the binding margin
If the document will be hole-punched, stapled, or bound, leave enough space on that edge that the number doesn't get clipped. Preview the result before printing a large batch — it's a five-second check that avoids re-printing fifty pages.
Where page numbers actually get checked
Page numbers matter most exactly when a document gets referenced out loud: in a meeting where someone says "turn to page 12," in a legal filing where a specific page needs to be cited, in a printed handout that gets shuffled and needs reassembling in order, or in an academic submission where formatting guidelines require them outright. A report or contract without them is fine to read start to finish, but becomes noticeably harder to navigate the moment more than one person needs to reference a specific part of it.
Continue with your PDF
Add page numbers FAQs
Can I start numbering from something other than 1?
Yes — set "Start at" to any number, useful when a cover page or table of contents comes first and shouldn't count as page 1.
Can I number a multi-document legal bundle continuously?
Yes, indirectly: merge the documents first with the Merge PDF tool, then number the combined file, or number each document with a "Start at" value that continues from where the previous one ended.
Can I put numbers at the top of the page, or use a "Page 1 of N" format?
Not yet — this tool places plain numbers (1, 2, 3) at the bottom of the page only. Top-of-page placement and formats like "Page 1 of 20" or Roman numerals aren't supported here yet.
Can I number only some pages?
Not on this page — every page gets numbered. Use the PDF Workspace for more granular control.
Can I number a password-protected PDF?
Not yet. Unlock it first, then upload it here.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No — everything runs in your browser using JavaScript.
Does adding page numbers change anything else about the document?
No — the number is drawn as new content in the margin of each page. Everything else on the page (text, images, layout) stays exactly as it was.