PDF Page Numbers
Add page numbers to a PDF - free, any position or format.
Your PDF is edited inside this page. It is never uploaded.
What this tool does
Choose a PDF, pick a position, a number format and a starting number, and download a copy with real page numbers drawn onto every page.
Draws real page numbers onto every page of a PDF, at any of six corner or center positions.
Supports three formats: plain numbers, 'Page N', or 'N of Total'.
Lets you start counting from any number, not just 1 - useful when a document is one part of a larger numbered set.
Re-parses the original file's bytes fresh every time you click, rather than reusing an already-numbered document in memory - so changing the position or format and adding numbers again replaces the previous run instead of stacking a second set on top.
Embeds a single standard Helvetica font - one of the built-in fonts every PDF viewer supports natively - rather than loading a separate custom font file.
How to use it
- Choose a PDF.
- Pick a position, format and starting number.
- Download the numbered PDF.
Why use this tool
Long documents are hard to refer to without page numbers, and adding them in a word processor means re-exporting. Numbers can be stamped onto an existing PDF.
Why we built it
We built the PDF page numbers tool to position every number from that page's own dimensions, so mixed page sizes stay right. Merge files first with merge PDF and add other text with the add text to PDF tool.
Handy alongside this: the Text to PDF Converter.
Who this tool is for
- Students and authors numbering a thesis or report
- Office staff finishing a pack
- Lawyers and admin preparing bundles
When to use it
- Numbering a scan or a combined document.
- Adding "Page N of Total".
- Starting from a chosen number.
- Preparing a pack for review.
Why the position adapts to each page's own size
A single fixed coordinate breaks on a document with mixed page sizes.
A PDF can legally mix page sizes - a mostly-A4 report with one landscape chart page, for instance - so a page number positioned using a single fixed coordinate calculated from the first page would land in the wrong place, or off the page entirely, on any page with different dimensions. Reading each page's own actual width and height before placing its number keeps every page correctly numbered regardless of size.
Why the font is fixed to a standard typeface
A built-in font keeps the output small and guaranteed to render everywhere.
Drawing text onto a PDF page requires an embedded font to draw it with, and this tool embeds Helvetica from the PDF format's own set of 14 standard fonts - typefaces every compliant PDF viewer already knows how to render without needing font data bundled into the file. Embedding a custom typeface instead is possible with the same underlying library, but it means shipping an actual font file and adds noticeably to the output size for what's normally just a small line of numbering text. The trade-off is no bold, italic or custom-typeface choice - numbers are always plain Helvetica at a fixed size.
What you give it, and what you get back
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Input | One PDF. |
| Options | Position, format and start number. |
| Output | A PDF with numbers drawn on each page. |
Issues you may run into
| What you see | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| An error mentions encryption | The PDF is password protected. | Unlock it first with the Unlock PDF tool. |
| Numbers overlap content | The corner is used by the document. | Choose a different position. |
| Style cannot change | A standard font and size are used. | Use an editor for custom styles. |
Assumptions and limitations
- An encrypted or password-protected PDF can't be read and numbered - it needs to be unlocked first.
- Numbers are drawn in a standard black sans-serif font at a fixed size - there's no custom font, color or size control.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add page numbers to a PDF for free?
Choose your PDF, pick a position and format, and download the result.
Can I start numbering from something other than 1?
Yes - set any starting number, useful when a PDF is one part of a larger document numbered as a whole.
What formats are available?
Plain numbers (1, 2, 3), 'Page 1, Page 2', or '1 of N, 2 of N' showing the total page count.
Does this work with password-protected PDFs?
No - an encrypted PDF needs to be unlocked first before it can be read and numbered.
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?
No. Numbering happens entirely in your browser - your file is never sent to a server.
Can I change the font or make the numbers bold?
Not currently - numbers are drawn in a standard Helvetica font at a fixed size, one of the built-in fonts every PDF viewer supports without needing font data embedded in the file.
If I add numbers twice by mistake, will they stack on top of each other?
No - each click re-reads the original file fresh, so changing the position or format and adding numbers again replaces the previous numbering rather than layering a second set on top.