Skip to content
PDFHive

Add page numbers

Add page numbers to a PDF in a few clicks: choose a style like "Page 1 of 12", put the numbers in any corner or the middle of the top or bottom edge, skip the cover page if you like, and see exactly how it looks before you save. The rest of your document stays as it was.

Your files are processed in your browser and never leave your device.

How to use Add page numbers

  1. Click "Select PDF file" and choose your PDF.
  2. Pick a style ("1", "Page 1", "Page 1 of N" or "1 / N") and a position on the small page picture.
  3. Choose which pages to number and the number to start at, then adjust the size, distance from the edge, colour or bold if you like. The preview updates as you go.
  4. Click "Add page numbers" and download your PDF.

How to add page numbers to a PDF

Select your PDF and choose how the numbers should look. The preview shows the first, second and last numbered pages with the numbers exactly where they will be, so you can check that they don't cover anything before saving. Then click "Add page numbers" and download the new PDF.

The numbers are written as real text in a standard PDF font, so they print sharply and can be searched like the rest of the document. Landscape and rotated pages get their numbers in the right place too, the way the reader sees the page.

How to number pages but skip the cover page

Choose "Skip the first page" and the cover stays clean. By default the next page is numbered 1. If you want it to show 2, as many reports and theses do, set "Start at" to 2.

To number only part of a document, choose "Choose pages" and type the pages, for example 3-20 to leave out a cover and a contents page, or 1-10 to stop before an appendix.

What if the numbers overlap the page content?

The preview shows exactly where the numbers will go, so you can fix any overlap before saving.

  1. Choose another position, for example a top corner, and check the preview.
  2. Choose a wider distance from the edge, or a smaller text size.
  3. To leave a cover page without a number, choose "Skip the first page", and set "Start at" to 2 if the next page should show 2.
  4. The PDF already has page numbers: they aren't removed, so pick a position where the new ones won't clash.

Frequently asked questions

Is my PDF uploaded to a server?

No. Page numbers are added inside your web browser, on your own computer or phone. Your PDF is never sent to us or anyone else.

Is it free to add page numbers?

Yes. It is free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on the number of PDFs or pages.

How do I add "Page 1 of 10" numbering?

Choose the "Page 1 of N" style; N becomes the number of numbered pages. For a shorter version, "1 / N" shows "1 / 10". If you start at a different number, the total adjusts too, so a 10-page PDF starting at 5 runs from "Page 5 of 14" to "Page 14 of 14".

Can I start numbering at a number other than 1?

Yes. Type any number in "Start at". This is useful when a PDF continues another document, for example a second part that should start at page 25.

What if my PDF already has page numbers?

The tool adds numbers on top and doesn't remove existing ones. Check the preview: if old numbers are at the bottom centre, choose another position such as top right, or a different corner, so they don't overlap.

Will the rest of my PDF change?

No. Only the numbers are added. Text, images, links and form fields stay exactly as they were, and nothing is redrawn, so quality doesn't change.

Can I add page numbers on my phone?

Yes. It works in Safari and Chrome on iPhone and Android. The preview appears below the settings, and the numbered PDF is saved to your Downloads or Files app.

Does it work with password-protected PDFs?

Not while they are protected. PDFs that need a password to open, or that are locked against editing, can't be changed here. If you know the password, or the document is yours and only blocks editing, remove the protection with Unlock PDF first, then use the unlocked copy. Open Unlock PDF

Related tools