Organize
PDF page numbers
Add page numbers to a PDF exactly where you want them, starting from any page and any number. The file is numbered in your browser and never uploaded.
Runs on your device: your file is not uploaded
Drag and drop here
PDFUp to 10 PDFs, 50 MB each
What PDF page numbers does
Page Numbers stamps a number on each page you choose, as real text in the font, size and color you pick. You control the position, the format (1, 2, 3; i, ii, iii; A, B, C), the wording, such as Page 3 of 20, and which pages are skipped.
The numbers are drawn on your device, and you can number up to 10 files in one go, either restarting for each file or continuing the count across the batch.
Existing bookmarks, links and form fields are left as they were. Because numbering writes new content into the file, password-protected and digitally signed PDFs are not accepted.
Is this the right tool?
Good for
- Numbering a report or thesis assembled from several files.
- Leaving the cover unnumbered and starting at 1 on the first page of real content.
- Roman numerals for front matter and ordinary numbers for the body.
- Court bundles, bid packages and exhibits where every page needs a running number.
Not the right tool for
- Stamping a case reference or the word DRAFT on every page.Watermark
- Changing numbers already printed in the document; those are part of the page content.Edit PDF
- Fixing the order of the pages. Sort them first, then number the result.Organize PDF
How to add page numbers to a PDF
Add one PDF or a batch
Choose the PDFs to number: up to 10 files, 50 MB each.
Choose the pages
On the Pages tab pick All pages, Custom range, Odd physical pages or Even physical pages.
Set the numbering and position
On the Numbering tab set First printed number, Number format and a template such as Page n of total. The Position and Appearance tabs set the corner, margins, font and color.
Add the numbers and download
Look at a few pages in the preview, select Add page numbers, then Download PDF, or Download all PDFs for a batch.
Worked example
A dissertation with front matter
Say your dissertation is a 96-page PDF: a title page, five pages of abstract and contents, then the chapters. The university wants no number on the title page, Roman numerals on the front matter, and ordinary numbers from 1 at Chapter 1.
On the Pages tab turn on Skip the first physical page. On the Numbering tab set Number format to Roman (i, ii, iii). Then open Advanced numbering, select Add section, and give it Start page 7, Start number 1 and the format Numbers (1, 2, 3).
The preview now shows a bare title page, Roman numerals on the contents pages, and Chapter 1 opening on page 1. Select Add page numbers and download.
Tips for a better result
- Physical page means the position in the file; printed number means what readers see. Start on document page and First printed number set the two independently.
- Set Facing pages to Outside for a document that will be printed double-sided and bound.
- If the document already has a footer, raise the Vertical margin so the number does not print on top of it.
- Turn on Update PDF page labels so the page box in a PDF viewer shows the same numbers as the page.
PDF page numbers: questions and answers
How do I start page numbering on page 3?
On the Pages tab set Start on document page to 3, which leaves pages 1 and 2 unnumbered. Then set First printed number to 1 if that page should read 1, or to 3 if the count should match its position in the file.
Can I number pages as Page 1 of 20?
Yes. On the Numbering tab choose the Page n of total template. By default the total is the number of pages in the document; switch the {total} setting to Selected page count to count only the pages you are numbering.
Are the page numbers added as text or as an image?
As text, using standard PDF fonts, so they stay sharp at any zoom level and add almost nothing to the file size. The pages underneath are not converted or recompressed.
How do I continue numbering across several PDFs?
Add the files as a batch, put them in order with Manage file order, and choose Continue across files under Multiple files. The second file picks up where the first stopped. Each PDF is still saved as its own file.