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Add Page Numbers to PDF – Number Pages Online

Add page numbers to any PDF in a few clicks. Choose where they go — top or bottom, left, centre or right — the style (1, Page 1, 1 of 10 or Page 1 of 10), the starting number, font size, colour and distance from the edge, and leave the cover page unnumbered if you like.

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How to number PDF pages

  1. Choose your PDF.
  2. Pick the position — bottom centre is the most common.
  3. Pick the format: 1, 1 of 10, Page 1, or Page 1 of 10.
  4. Set the starting number, font size, distance from the edge and colour.
  5. Tick Don’t number the first page for documents with a cover.
  6. Press Add page numbers and download your PDF.

Choosing a style

  • 1, 2, 3 — clean and simple; good for books, reports and handouts.
  • 1 of 10 — shows readers how long the document is.
  • Page 1 — clear for forms and printed packs.
  • Page 1 of 10 — ideal for contracts and legal documents, so no page can go missing unnoticed.

When the cover is skipped, the total counts only numbered pages: a 10-page PDF with a cover shows “1 of 9” to “9 of 9”.

Where page numbers usually go

DocumentCommon position
Reports and thesesBottom centre or bottom right
BooksBottom outside corner
ContractsBottom centre, “Page 1 of 10”
PresentationsBottom right
FormsTop right

Tips

  • Merge first, number last. Combine all parts with merge PDF and reorder them with organize PDF before adding numbers, so the numbering runs straight through.
  • Use a grey colour for a subtle, professional look.
  • Leave space for binding — for printed, bound documents, use a slightly larger margin.
  • Check your style guide. Universities and courts often have rules for page numbers.

Roman numerals and sections

Some documents number the front matter (contents, preface) with Roman numerals and the main text from 1. To do that, split the PDF into the two parts, number the main part from 1 here, and merge them back together. You can convert numbers with the Roman numeral converter if you need to label pages by hand.

This keeps both sections correctly numbered without editing the original files.

Bates numbering

Lawyers sometimes need Bates numbers — a prefix plus a running number such as ABC000123 — on every page of a disclosure. This tool adds plain page numbers; for legal Bates numbering, use specialist software that records the ranges.

How it works

The numbers are added as real text in a standard font, so they print sharply and stay searchable. Each page’s rotation is read first, so the numbers appear upright on landscape and rotated pages. Everything happens in your browser — your PDF isn’t uploaded.

Add a header-style label such as DRAFT with watermark PDF, or sign the final copy with sign PDF.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add page numbers to a PDF?

Choose your PDF, pick the position and style, and press “Add page numbers”. Download the numbered PDF when it’s ready.

Can I skip the cover page?

Yes. Tick “Don’t number the first page”. The second page then gets the starting number, so it shows 1 unless you change it.

Can I start at a number other than 1?

Yes. Set “Start at” to any number — useful when your PDF continues another document or when chapters are numbered separately.

Do page numbers work on landscape or rotated pages?

Yes. Numbers are placed relative to how each page looks when you read it, so rotated and landscape pages get correctly oriented numbers in the right corner.

What do the size and margin numbers mean?

Both are in points, the standard PDF unit: 72 points make an inch (2.54 cm). An 11-point number with a 28-point margin sits about 1 cm from the edge.

Will page numbers cover my content?

They’re drawn on top of the page. If your document has text close to the edge, increase the distance from the edge or choose a different corner.

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