Number PDF Pages
Add page numbers to any PDF document. Choose position, format, and starting number. Download your numbered PDF instantly.
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Max file size: 100MB
Adding Page Numbers Without Breaking the Layout
Page numbering is one of those small jobs that seems trivial until you try it on a 90-page thesis at midnight. The tool above stamps numbers onto each page using one of pdf-lib's StandardFonts (Helvetica by default, which avoids font-embedding issues). You pick the corner: bottom-centre is the academic norm, bottom-right matches most legal documents, top-right works for double-sided binding.
The starting number defaults to 1, but you can offset it. If your front matter (title page, abstract, contents) uses Roman numerals i to vii and the main body should start at 1 on what is technically page 8 of the file, set the starting number and the first numbered page accordingly. The tool keeps the original page sizes and orientation, so a mix of A4 portrait and A3 landscape pages will all get numbers in the right place.
Numbering Formats and What They Look Like
The tool supports plain numbers (1, 2, 3), the format 'Page X', and 'X of Y'. The 'X of Y' style is useful for printed documents where readers might lose pages: a court bundle marked '47 of 120' tells you immediately if something is missing. Roman numerals are useful for prefaces but uncommon in main text.
Font size of 10pt to 12pt is standard for body documents; larger thesis bindings use 14pt. Avoid stamping numbers right at the page edge if the document will be printed and trimmed, since printers usually need a 5mm safety margin. The tool keeps numbers 30 points (about 10mm) from the edge by default.
Privacy and File Handling
Numbering happens entirely in your browser. The PDF is read into memory, page numbers are drawn onto each page using pdf-lib, and a new file is offered for download. Nothing uploads anywhere, which matters for documents like tribunal bundles or medical records where confidentiality is non-negotiable.
If you are preparing the document for a final submission, follow up with [Flatten PDF](/flatten-pdf) so the numbers cannot be edited out, and use [Protect PDF](/protect-pdf) to add a password if the receiving party requires one. A common bundle workflow is: merge the sources, number the pages, flatten, then protect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip page numbers on the cover or title page?
Yes. Set the starting page so numbering begins on page 2, 3, or wherever you prefer. The earlier pages stay untouched. For more complex needs (skip page 1, number 2 to 4 in Roman, restart at 1 on page 5), you would need a desktop editor like LibreOffice.
Will the page numbers cover up existing content?
Possibly, if your pages have content right at the edge. The tool stamps numbers in the margin and tries to stay clear of usual content areas, but a page with a footer that already runs to the bottom edge will overlap. Preview the result and adjust the position or font size if needed.
Are the page numbers selectable text or images?
They are real text drawn into the page using a standard PDF font (Helvetica). That means they are searchable, copyable, and screen-reader-friendly. They are not form fields, so flattening or further processing leaves them in place.
Can I change the colour of the page numbers?
The default is black, which works on white pages. The tool does not currently expose a colour picker. If you need numbers on a dark-background page (a presentation export, for instance), you would need a desktop PDF editor that supports custom colour stamping.
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