Add Page Numbers to PDF

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1. PDF & numbering

pdf-lib · local

Drop a PDF here

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PDF

2. Preview

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Open a PDF to preview page numbers.

The preview of a numbered page appears here.

About this tool

About Add Page Numbers to PDF

Add Page Numbers to PDF stamps page numbers onto a PDF in your browser. You choose the corner or edge, the format (1, Page 1 or Page 1 of 10), font size, colour, margin, the starting number and which pages to number, then download a new PDF.

Numbered pages make long reports, contracts and course packs easier to reference, print and discuss. Doing it locally keeps confidential documents on your device and leaves your original file unchanged.

How to use

Step by step

Open the PDF you want to number.
Choose all pages or a custom range, for example 3-40 to skip a cover and contents.
Pick the position, format, font size, colour and margin from the edge in millimetres.
Set the start number and check the live preview of any numbered page.
Press Add page numbers, then Download PDF.

Key features

What it offers

Six positions: top or bottom, left, centre or right
Formats 1, Page 1 and Page 1 of 10
Custom font size, text colour, margin and start number
Number all pages or only a custom range
Live preview rendered from the real output
Correct placement on rotated and landscape pages

Best practices

Tips for best results

Skip cover and contents pages with a custom range, then set the start number you want.
Leave at least 8–10 mm of margin so numbers are not cut off when printing.
Check the preview on a page with content near the edges to avoid overlap.
Use a neutral colour such as black or dark grey for formal documents.
Keep your original PDF — the numbered file is saved as a new copy.

Benefits

Why people use it

Easy referencing

Readers can point to an exact page in meetings and reviews.

Print-friendly

Loose printed pages can be put back in order.

Content preserved

Numbers are added on top; text, links and bookmarks stay.

Private

Your PDF is processed in the browser and not uploaded.

FAQ

Common questions

Plain numbers (1), “Page 1”, and “Page 1 of 10”. The total counts the pages you number, starting from your chosen start number.

Yes. Pick custom pages such as 3-20 to skip a cover or contents pages. Numbering starts at your start number on the first chosen page.

Top left, top centre, top right, bottom left, bottom centre or bottom right, with a margin from the edge that you set in millimetres.

Yes. Numbers are placed relative to the page as you see it, so they stay upright and in the chosen position on rotated and landscape pages.

The numbers are added as text on top of each page; existing content, links and bookmarks are kept. Your original file is not modified — you download a new copy.

No. Encrypted PDFs, including ones with editing restrictions, cannot be modified here. Remove the protection first.

No. Page numbers are added in your browser with pdf-lib.

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Private by design

This runs entirely in your browser

No file or text you enter here is uploaded. Encoding and decoding happen on your device using native browser APIs — close the tab and nothing remains on a server.

How privacy works