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Add page numbers to a PDF

Put page numbers in the header or footer of a PDF, in the style you want, and skip the pages that shouldn't have one.

  • Works in your browser
  • No sign-up
  • Free to use

How to use Add page numbers

  1. 1

    Open your PDF. Page 1 appears with a preview of its number.

  2. 2

    Click a corner or the middle of the top or bottom edge in the position grid.

  3. 3

    Pick a format such as "Page 7 of 12", or choose "Your own text" and type it with {n} where the number goes.

  4. 4

    To leave a cover page unnumbered, type 2- in Pages. Change "First number" if numbering should not start at 1.

  5. 5

    Press "Add page numbers" and download the numbered PDF.

What this tool does

Add page numbers writes a number on each page of a PDF, in the header or the footer. It suits reports, theses, contracts and scanned documents that came without numbering, or files merged from several sources whose old numbers no longer match.

Features

  • Six positions: left, centre or right, at the top or bottom of the page.
  • Ready-made formats: 1, Page 1, 1 of 9, Page 1 of 9, 1 / 9 and - 1 -, or your own text with {n} for the number and {total} for the last number.
  • Skip pages such as a cover or a table of contents, and choose the first number.
  • Facing pages for documents that will be printed and bound.
  • Font, size, colour and distance from the edge, with a live preview of page 1.
  • Right way up on every page: landscape and rotated pages get their number in the corner you see.

Limits

  • One PDF at a time; to number several files as one sequence, merge them first.
  • Numbers are written on top of the page; they don't move existing content out of the way.
  • Your own text in scripts other than Latin (such as Urdu) is added as a small image on each page.
  • Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first.

Where your file is processed

This tool works in your browser: your file is processed on your own device, so it isn't sent to our server for this tool. Some other tools on UtiloNest do use our server, and their pages say so.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start numbering on the second page?

Type 2- in the Pages field. Page 1 is left as it is, and page 2 gets the first number, which is 1 unless you change "First number". So a cover page is skipped and the first page of content is page 1.

What does "of total" count?

It's the last number that will be written, so it counts only the numbered pages. A 10-page file with the cover skipped shows "1 of 9" up to "9 of 9".

What are facing pages?

In a printed book, odd pages are on the right and even pages on the left. With "Facing pages" ticked, a number you put in a right-hand corner moves to the left-hand corner on even pages, so it always sits on the outer edge.

Can a number cover my text?

It can if the page has content right up to the edge. Choose a larger distance from the edge, move the number to the other edge, or make the text smaller. Check the preview of page 1 before you save.

Where is my file processed?

In your browser. This tool works on your own device, so the file isn't sent to our server for it.

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