Page numbers
Insert page numbers into a PDF free. Pick position, starting number and format like "Page 1 of 10". Fast, private, in your browser.
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How to add page numbers to a PDF
Choose where the numbers go (bottom center, top right, and more), the starting number, and the format — plain numbers or "Page 1 of N". Click once and every page is numbered.
Why documents need page numbers
Anything that will be printed, discussed in a meeting, or submitted formally needs them. Courts and universities frequently require them outright. And the practical reason: a stack of paper that gets dropped is unrecoverable without them.
Numbering a document you merged
The most common case. You combined several files with Merge PDF and now have three separate 1-2-3 sequences from the original documents, or none at all. Adding numbers here applies one continuous sequence across the whole document, which is what a reader needs.
Where to put them
Bottom centre is the safe default and works whether or not the document is bound. Bottom outer corner looks better in double-sided print but assumes the reader knows which side is which. Avoid the top of the page if the document already has a header, and avoid the bottom if there is a footer — overlapping text is worse than no numbers.
Front matter
If your document has a cover page or a table of contents, you usually do not want them numbered. Split the front matter off with Split PDF, number the body, then merge it back.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start numbering from a number other than 1?
Yes — set any starting number, useful when the document is part of a larger set.
Where can the page numbers appear?
Seven positions: bottom or top, left, center or right — plus dead center if you want.
What formats are available?
Plain numbers (1, 2, 3…) or "Page 1 of N" style.
Can I start numbering from a page other than the first?
Split the front matter off, number the body, then merge them back. That is the reliable way to leave a cover page unnumbered.
Where should page numbers go?
Bottom centre is the safe default. Check the document does not already have a footer there, since overlapping text is worse than no numbers.
Will page numbers print correctly?
Yes. They are written into the page content, so they appear in print exactly as on screen.