Add page numbers to PDF files the way you need them
Merged reports, scanned contracts and exported slides often have no page numbers, which makes “see page 7” impossible. This tool lets you add page numbers to PDF files with the format, position and starting point you choose, and shows a preview of a real numbered page before you download.
The numbers are written into the pages as ordinary text, so they print, show in every reader and can be found with search.
Number formats
| Format | Page 3 of a 12-page file shows |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3 |
| Page 1 | Page 3 |
| Page 1 of N | Page 3 of 12 |
| 1 of N | 3 of 12 |
| 1 / N | 3 / 12 |
| – 1 – | – 3 – |
| i, ii, iii | iii |
| I, II, III | III |
Custom text Seite {n} von {total} | Seite 3 von 12 |
N, or {total}, is the number the last page receives, so it stays right when you start at a different number or skip a cover.
Start number, first page and page range
Three settings decide which number each page gets:
- First page to number: where counting begins. Set it to 2 to leave the cover page blank.
- Start at number: the number that first page shows. Use 25 when a chapter continues another file.
- Pages that show a number: optional. Pages left out stay blank but are still counted, which suits a back cover or a full-page picture.
Example: a 10-page report with a cover, first page 2, start 1 and format “Page 1 of N”. The cover stays blank, page 2 shows “Page 1 of 9” and the last page shows “Page 9 of 9”. The summary line under the options states what the first and last numbered pages will show, so you can check before you save.
Want roman numerals for the front matter and normal numbers after it? Run the tool twice. First number pages 1 to 4 with “i, ii, iii” by typing 1-4 as the page range, then open the result again and number from page 5 with “1”, first page 5 and start 1.
Position, font and margin
Numbers can go bottom centre, bottom left, bottom right, top centre, top left or top right. The distance from the edge is set in points: 72 points make an inch, and the default of 28 points is about one centimetre. Choose Helvetica, Times or Courier, regular or bold, from 6 to 48 points, in any colour.
Landscape and rotated pages
Positions are measured on the page as you see it. On a landscape page, or a page stored sideways and turned for display, the number still sits at the bottom you see and reads upright, not along the side of the paper. Pages with a crop box are numbered inside the visible area.
Good to know
- Numbers are drawn over the page. If a footer already has text where the number goes, move it to the top or increase the distance from the edge.
- To number several files continuously, combine them first with Merge PDF, and put pages in order with Organize PDF Pages.
- Password-protected or restricted PDFs must be unlocked first with Unlock PDF.
- Custom text uses the standard PDF fonts, which cover Western European characters.
Privacy
The PDF is numbered by your browser and never uploaded. Your original file is not changed: you download a new, numbered copy.