Add page numbers to PDF
Live preview shows each page with your chosen format and position—then export vector page numbers locally, with no upload.
How to Add Page Numbers to PDF
- Upload or drag your PDF into the tool—processing stays in your browser tab.
- Choose position (top or bottom, left, center, or right) and a format such as 1, 2, 3…, Page 1 of 10, or Roman numerals.
- Expand Advanced options if you need a different starting page, starting number, cover skip, font size, margin, or color—watch the live preview update.
- Click Add Page Numbers, then download
numbered-*.pdfwhen the job finishes.
When You Need PDF Page Numbers
Consistent pagination helps readers navigate long documents and cite specific pages in email, court filings, and internal reviews. Students and researchers rely on numbered theses and journal PDFs; legal teams need exhibits that line up with declarations; sales and finance groups circulate numbered board decks and month-end reports; trainers distribute handouts where “turn to page 7” only works if page 7 is obvious. Adding numbers locally keeps those sensitive drafts off random cloud converters while you polish the layout.
Page Numbering Formats Explained
- 1, 2, 3… — minimal Arabic numerals for general memos and internal packets.
- Page 1, Page 2… — clearer spoken language for client-facing PDFs and onboarding kits.
- Page 1 of 10 — shows both position and total length, ideal for proposals and slide decks where readers want progress context.
- Roman numerals (i, ii… or I, II…) — common for front matter, appendices, or stylistic chapter markers; pair with “starting number” when you need a non-one opener.
FAQ
Can I start page numbers from a specific page (e.g., skip cover)?
Yes. Set “Numbering starts at page” to the first page that should show a number, and use “Skip cover page” if page 1 should remain unnumbered while later pages count from your chosen start value.
Can I use Roman numerals for the preface?
Select the Roman format and tune “Starting number” plus “Numbering starts at page” so introductory material uses i, ii, iii while the main body can be handled in a second export with Arabic if you need both schemes in one document workflow.
Will adding page numbers reduce PDF quality?
No—numbers are drawn as vector text, not flattened JPEG stamps, so existing text and images are not recompressed by this step.
Can I customize position and font?
Use the six-position grid, font size slider (8–24 px), margin slider (10–60 px), and the color picker. The preview reflects those choices before you export.
How we add PDF page numbers locally
Page numbers turn a loose export into something you can cite, print, and circulate professionally. This tool draws true vector text with pdf-lib so digits stay sharp at any zoom—unlike stamping a flat image that blurs when someone enlarges a contract clause. The live preview uses PDF.js to render your first chosen page, then overlays the same positioning logic you will get in the download.
Pick a corner or edge band (top or bottom, left, center, or right) so numbers never collide with letterhead or footnotes. Formats range from simple Arabic counts to “Page 12 of 48” for board packs, plus lowercase or uppercase Roman numerals when you want front-matter styling. Advanced controls let you start counting on page two or three, skip a decorative cover, shift the starting digit, and tune size, margin, and color.
Mixed orientations—some landscape slides and some portrait pages—are handled per page: each spread measures its own width and height before placing text. After processing, open the download in Acrobat, Preview, or Edge and flip through a few pages to confirm nothing sits under existing artwork. If a page already has dense footers, try a top position or a smaller font.
Privacy matches the rest of the site: your bytes stay in the tab. There is no upload queue, no cloud OCR, and no retention policy to read because the server never receives the file. Clear the tab on shared machines after downloading if your policy requires it.
FAQ
Can I start page numbers from a specific page (for example, skip a cover)?
Yes. Use “Numbering starts at page” to begin on page 2 or later, and optionally enable “Skip cover page” to leave page 1 blank while the rest count upward from your chosen starting number.
Can I use Roman numerals for a preface?
Choose lowercase or uppercase Roman format. Combine it with “Starting number” (for example, start at iv) and “Numbering starts at page” so the body can switch to Arabic in a second pass if you need both styles in one workflow.
Will adding page numbers reduce PDF quality?
No meaningful raster loss: page numbers are vector text drawn on top of the existing page, similar to typing in a desktop editor. Photos and vector art on the page are not recompressed by this step.
Can I customize position and font size?
Yes—use the six-position grid, font size slider, margin slider, and color picker. The preview updates as you adjust settings so you can see placement before exporting.
Do you upload my PDF?
No. Loading, preview, and export all run in your browser. The download is built in memory on your device.