Add Page Numbers to PDF Free

How to add page numbers to a PDF online

1. Click Choose File or drag your PDF into the upload zone.
2. Select a position (header or footer, then left, center, or right), a format (plain numeral, "Page X", or "X of Y"), and a starting number.
3. Optionally enable Skip first page to leave a cover or title page unnumbered.
4. Click Add Page Numbers and wait a moment while the tool stamps each page.
5. Download the numbered PDF directly to your device.

Position, format, and starting number options

The tool offers six placement corners: top-left, top-center, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-center, and bottom-right. Bottom-center is the standard for most printed documents; top-right suits formal reports where page references appear at the upper edge. For the number format, you can choose a bare numeral (5), a prefixed label (Page 5), or a totals expression (5 of 22) — the latter is computed automatically from the page count. The starting number field accepts any positive integer, so you can continue an existing sequence when a document is one section of a larger binder. All formatting is applied with pdf-lib in the browser; no fonts are downloaded and no server round-trip occurs.

When to use this tool

Add Page Numbers is useful whenever a PDF needs navigational reference but was exported without it. Common cases: a thesis or dissertation that must carry sequential numbering before submission; a merged PDF assembled from several source files where each section reset to page 1; a legal or compliance bundle where exhibit pages must be cited by number; a printed handout or slide deck distributed at an event where attendees need to follow along. The skip-first-page option is especially practical for any document with a dedicated cover, since binding conventions typically leave the front page numberless.

Frequently asked questions

Where can page numbers be placed on the page?

You can place numbers in any of six positions: top-left, top-center, or top-right for a header, and bottom-left, bottom-center, or bottom-right for a footer. Bottom-center is the conventional choice for most documents, while top-right works well for multi-column reports.

Can I start numbering from a number other than 1?

Yes. The starting number field lets you enter any integer. If your document is chapter 3 of a larger work that already has 40 pages, set the start value to 41 and the tool stamps the correct sequence from there.

Does the tool support a Page X of Y format?

Yes. The format selector includes options for plain numerals (1, 2, 3), the prefix style (Page 1, Page 2), and the totals style (1 of 10, 2 of 10). The total count is computed automatically from the document's page count.

Can I skip the first page so a cover page has no number?

Yes. Enable the Skip first page option before running the tool. The cover or title page is left untouched, and numbering begins on the second page — the stamped number still reflects the logical sequence you set, so page two can read 2 or 1 depending on your starting number.

Is my PDF file uploaded to a server?

No. Every operation runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly. Your file is never sent to any server, stored in the cloud, or accessible to anyone but you. Close the tab and the file is gone.