PDF Page Numbers
Updated June 1, 2025Add page numbers to a PDF with your choice of position, font size, and starting number.
Select a PDF to number
Features
- Add page numbers to all PDF pages
- Choose from 6 positions (top/bottom × left/center/right)
- Customizable font size and style
- Set starting page number
- Preview numbering before applying
- 100% client-side processing
Common Use Cases
- Number pages in reports and proposals
- Add page numbers to scanned documents
- Prepare legal documents with proper numbering
- Number ebook pages for reference
- Add sequential numbering to merged PDFs
PDF Page Numbering Explained
Page numbering adds sequential numbers to each page of a PDF document. This makes documents easier to reference, navigate, and discuss—especially in legal, academic, and business contexts.
Position options: Page numbers can go in the header (top of page) or footer (bottom of page), aligned left, center, or right. Most formal documents use bottom-center. Legal documents often use bottom-right. Books may use alternating positions for left/right pages.
Starting number: You can start numbering from any number, not just 1. This is useful when combining documents (part 2 starts at page 51) or when the first few pages shouldn't be numbered (cover page, table of contents).
Font customization: Match the numbering style to your document's typography. Standard fonts (Helvetica, Times, Courier) ensure compatibility across all PDF readers.
Examples
Original: 30-page report PDF
Numbers: Bottom-center, Times 10pt
Result: Professionally numbered reportOriginal: 20-page document (4 intro pages)
Numbers: Bottom-right, start from 5
Result: Content pages numbered 5-20Original: Merged PDF with 3 chapters
Numbers: Bottom-center, Helvetica 9pt
Result: Sequential numbering across all chaptersFrequently Asked Questions
Yes! Set the starting page number to control which page gets "1". For example, if page 1 is a cover, start numbering from page 2 by setting start=2 and the first numbered page shows as 2—but you may want the cover as page 0 or title page.
Page numbers are placed in the margins (top or bottom of the page). If your document has content very close to the edge, numbers may overlap. Choose a position that doesn't conflict with your layout.
Currently, only Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3...) are supported. For Roman numerals or other formats, consider using a desktop PDF editor or formatting your document before exporting to PDF.
9-10pt for body text that's 10-12pt. 8pt for compact documents. 11-12pt for presentations or when accessibility is a priority. Match the visual weight of your main text.
💡 Tips
- Bottom-center is the most common and professional position
- Use 9-10pt font size for standard documents
- Set starting number to account for cover pages and tables of contents
- Preview first and last pages to verify numbering placement