Number PDF pages the way you want
Reports, theses, bundles for court or a stack of scanned pages all read better with page numbers. This tool stamps a number on each page of your PDF and saves a new file.
- Position: bottom centre, bottom right or top right.
- Format: 1, Page 1, or 1 / N (for example 3 / 12).
- Start number: begin at 1 or any other number.
- Font size: make the numbers subtle or easy to read in print.
- Skip the first page: leave the cover unnumbered.
How to add page numbers to a PDF
- Add your PDF.
- Choose the position for the numbers.
- Pick a format: 1, Page 1 or 1 / N.
- Set the start number and font size.
- Tick skip first page if the PDF has a cover.
- Download the numbered PDF.
Free, private and without a watermark
iLovePDF, Smallpdf and Sejda all offer page numbering, but they upload your PDF to their servers to add the numbers, and the free plans have caps: 2 tasks a day on Smallpdf, 3 an hour on Sejda.
Here the numbers are added in your browser. The PDF is never sent to our servers, there is no sign-up, no watermark and no daily limit. Only the numbers are added, so the rest of each page is left exactly as it was.
Choosing a page number format
The plain 1 format is the most common and the least distracting. Page 1 reads more formally and suits letters and reports. The 1 / N format tells the reader both where they are and how long the document is, which is useful for printed bundles, exam papers and anything where a missing page would matter.
Font size depends on how the file will be read. A small number works on screen. For printed documents, a slightly larger size is easier to find when flicking through.
Bottom centre is the most common position for reports and theses. Bottom right suits documents read like a book. Top right keeps numbers clear of footers and signatures at the bottom of the page.
Page numbers are drawn on top of the existing page, so they work the same on scanned documents, exported slides and PDFs made from Word.
Tips for numbering a PDF
- Merging chapters? Use Merge PDF first, then number the combined file so the numbers run in order.
- Continuing from another document? Set the start number to the next page, for example 25.
- Have a cover page? Tick skip first page, then check the preview numbering and adjust the start number if needed.
- Use 1 / N when readers need to know if a page is missing, such as in printed bundles.
- Numbers sit on top of the page, so check that they do not cover a footer. Moving them to top right usually fixes that.
