About the Add Page Numbers tool
Long documents are much easier to navigate, cite, and print correctly when every page is numbered. The Add Page Numbers tool stamps a number, in the format and position you choose, onto every page of a PDF.
Page numbers seem like a small detail until a document is missing them: a printed handout gets shuffled and no one can tell what order the pages belong in, or a colleague tries to reference "the third paragraph on the page about budget" over a call with no way to point at a specific page. This tool exists for exactly that gap — documents that were exported from a word processor, spreadsheet, or scanner without page numbers baked in, and now need them added after the fact rather than requiring the original file to be reworked from scratch.
How to add page numbers
- Upload the PDF you want to number.
- Choose where the numbers should sit: a corner, or centered along the bottom or top of the page.
- Pick a number format, such as a plain number, "3 of 24", or a number with dashes around it.
- Set a starting number if you don't want to begin at 1, then click Add Page Numbers.
Tips for best results
- Bottom-center is the most universally expected position for readers scanning for a page number, and it's a safe default if you're not sure which corner your document's existing layout leaves free.
- Use the "X of Y" format for anything that will be printed and physically handed out — it reassures the reader they have every page, and immediately shows if one page is missing from a printed set.
- If you're numbering a continuation of an earlier volume, use the starting-number field to pick up where the previous document left off instead of restarting at 1.
- Run this tool last in your editing sequence, after merging, splitting, reorganizing, or rotating — that way the page numbers you add reflect the document's final page order rather than needing to be redone.
Common ways people use this
- Numbering a printed handout or workbook so pages can be referenced in discussion.
- Adding "page X of Y" numbering to a legal or academic document for citation.
- Continuing numbering across a document that starts partway through a larger set, like a second volume.
- Preparing a manuscript or report for print binding.
- Numbering a scanned set of exhibits or evidence pages for a legal filing where each page needs a clear, referenceable number.
Good to know
There's no option today to skip numbering on a specific page (such as leaving a cover page blank) while numbering the rest starting at 1; if that distinction matters, split the cover page into its own file first, number the remainder, and rejoin them with Merge PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Can I skip numbering the cover page?
Set the starting number to 0 or adjust it after the fact; a dedicated skip-the-first-page option isn't available yet, so consider splitting the cover into a separate file if it must stay unnumbered.
Will the numbers overlap existing footer content?
Choose a position and margin that avoids your existing footer text; if your document already has footers, corner placement usually avoids collisions best.
Can I use Roman numerals?
Not currently; the tool supports plain numbers, dash-wrapped numbers, and the "X of Y" format.
Does numbering affect the page size or layout?
No, numbers are drawn in the margin area and don't resize or reflow the existing page content.
Can I change the font size of the page numbers?
The tool uses a fixed, legible size tuned to sit clearly in the page margin without competing with the main content; there's no separate size control for it today.
What happens if I run this tool twice on the same file?
You'll get two sets of numbers stacked on the page, since each run adds new numbers rather than replacing existing ones. Always start from the original, unnumbered file if you need to change the format or position.
Can I add a second line of text next to the page number, like a document title?
Not in this tool today — it adds the page number itself in your chosen format and position. For a running header or footer with additional text, that would need to be added in the original document before exporting to PDF.