Add page numbers to PDF
Add page numbers to any PDF and see how they look before you save.
Drop your file hereTap to choose your file
or click to choose · paste with Ctrl+VPDF · up to 300 MB
Processed on your device: nothing is uploaded
Preview
Numbered PDF
How to use it
- Drop your PDF into the box or choose it from your device. You will see the first page with the number on it.
- Choose where the number goes, the format (“1”, “Page 1”, “Page 1 of 10”…), and, if needed, which page to start on and which number to start with.
- Adjust the font, size, and margin while you watch the preview. Use the arrows to check other pages.
- Select “Add page numbers” and download the file. The original is not changed.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. The numbers are written inside your browser and the file never leaves your device. You can use the tool with private documents.
How do I leave the cover page without a number?
Turn on “Do not number the first page (cover)”. The cover stays as it is and page 2 gets the first number. If you want page 2 to be numbered “2”, set “First number” to 2.
Can I write “Page 3 of 10” instead of just 3?
Yes. Pick that format from the list, or write your own with {n} for the page number and {total} for the number of the last page. For example: “Sheet {n} of {total}”.
Does it work with Roman numerals or letters?
Yes. You can number with i, ii, iii (or I, II, III) and with a, b, c. This is handy for prefaces and tables of contents that come before page 1.
What does the alternate sides option do?
If the number is on the right, it moves to the left on even pages. That way it always sits toward the outer edge of the paper when you print double-sided and bind the pages.
Does it work with landscape or rotated pages?
Yes. The number is placed according to how each page looks, even if you mix portrait, landscape, or rotated sheets. Links, bookmarks, and forms are kept.
How to number a PDF without losing quality
Numbering pages means writing a small piece of text on top of each sheet. The original content (text, images, links, and bookmarks) is not compressed again, so the document looks the same and only gains the number.
The most common formats
- “1” at the bottom center: the usual choice for reports and papers.
- “Page 1 of 10”: useful for contracts and legal documents, because you can tell whether a sheet is missing.
- Roman numerals (i, ii, iii) for the table of contents or preface, and regular numbers starting with the main text.
If the number covers something
Increase the margin or move it to another corner. The preview shows the real page, so you can check that the number does not overlap the text before you save. To mark the pages as drafts or confidential too, use Add watermark to PDF.
Updated on September 29, 2026