PDF Page Numbering
Add custom page numbers to your PDF, right in your browser, with full control over position, format, size, and color.
{n} for current page, {total} for totalWhat Does This PDF Page Numbering Tool Do?
This tool stamps page numbers directly onto every page of a PDF, right inside your browser. Upload a file, watch a live preview of your first page update as you adjust the position, starting number, label text, size, and color, then click once to apply the same numbering to the entire document. There is no software to install and nothing is sent to a server, so the file stays on your own device from start to finish.
How to Use This PDF Page Numbering Tool?
- Upload your PDF. Drag and drop a file onto the drop zone, or click Choose File to browse for one on your device. Files up to 100 MB are accepted.
- Check the live preview. The first page renders in the preview panel with a badge showing the total number of pages in the document.
- Pick a position. Choose one of six placements, top or bottom, left, center, or right, from the position grid.
- Set the starting number and format. Type the number the count should begin at and customize the label text using
{n}and{total}. - Adjust size, margin, and color. Drag the sliders to set font size and distance from the edge, then pick a preset swatch or enter any hex color. The preview updates instantly with every change.
- Click Add Page Numbers. The tool works through the document and shows a progress bar as it stamps every page.
- Download your file. Once processing finishes, save the result as a new PDF with "_numbered" added to the original file name.
Built-In Features
Drag and Drop Upload
Drop a PDF straight onto the upload area or browse for one manually. The file name and size are confirmed clearly before you touch a single setting.
Live Preview Overlay
See the exact number, on the actual first page of your document, before you commit to anything. Every slider or color change redraws the preview right away.
Six Placement Options
Place numbers at the top or bottom of the page, aligned left, centered, or right, whichever matches the layout of your document.
Custom Format With Placeholders
Type your own label using {n} for the current page and {total} for the page count, so the number reads however you want it to.
Adjustable Size, Margin & Color
Fine-tune font size and edge margin with sliders, then pick a preset swatch or enter any hex code through the built-in color picker.
Browser-Based Batch Processing
Numbering happens entirely on your device, page by page in the background, with nothing uploaded to a server and no account required.
How This Tool Adds Your Page Numbers
Two separate steps work together so you get an accurate preview without waiting for the whole document to be rewritten.
Live Canvas Preview
The moment your PDF loads, the first page is rendered onto a canvas at high resolution. Every time you move a slider or change a setting, the tool redraws just the number on top of that same rendered page, so what you see is a true preview rather than a rough guess.
Batch PDF Processing
Once you click Add Page Numbers, the tool embeds real, selectable text onto every page using the same font, size, and color you previewed. Pages are handled in batches of twenty so the browser stays responsive even on documents that run into the hundreds of pages.
The preview only ever redraws the page you are looking at. The full document is not touched until you press Add Page Numbers, so you can experiment with position, format, and color as many times as you like.
Customizing the Page Number Format
The Format field is not fixed to a single style. Use {n} to represent the current page and {total} to represent the total page count, and the tool fills those in automatically on every page.
| Format You Type | Example on Page 3 of 20 |
|---|---|
| Page {n} of {total} | Page 3 of 20 |
| {n} / {total} | 3 / 20 |
| - {n} - | - 3 - |
| Pg. {n} | Pg. 3 |
| {n} | 3 |
Leave out {total} entirely if you only want a running number with no page count attached, or drop the placeholders altogether to repeat the same static label, such as a document title, on every page.
Starting Page Numbers From a Specific Number
Not every PDF should start counting at one. The Start Number field lets you begin at any value from 0 up to 9999, and every page after that follows on in order using the format you have chosen.
This is useful when a PDF is only one part of a larger, multi-file document, such as a chapter that continues the pagination of the previous chapter, or a report where the first few pages are an unnumbered cover and introduction that you plan to attach separately. Set the starting number to match where this file actually falls in the larger sequence, and the numbering will read correctly once everything is combined.
Common Reasons to Add Page Numbers to a PDF
Numbering Long Documents
Keep long manuals, theses, or books consistent by numbering each chapter file so the pages read in the correct order once assembled.
Preparing Reports for Print
Printed reports and proposals are easier to read and reassemble if a stray page falls out when numbers are visible on every sheet.
Continuing Pagination Across Files
Use the Start Number field to carry a running page count across several PDFs that will later be merged into one document.
Referencing Pages During Review
Give reviewers, editors, or students an easy way to point to "page 12" or "page 34" instead of describing content to find a spot.
Useful Tips
Check Preview First
Since the canvas preview reflects your real page and settings, confirm placement and format there first to avoid running the tool twice and wasting extra time or effort.
Match the Margin to Your Layout
If your document already has narrow margins or footers, increase the margin from edge slightly so the page number does not sit too close to existing content.
Keep Contrast in Mind
Choose a darker color for light backgrounds and a lighter one, such as white, if your pages have a dark or colored footer area for better contrast and readability.
Add a Watermark Too
If your document also needs a stamp like "Draft" or a company name across every page, our PDF Watermark tool can add that alongside your page numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add page numbers to a PDF online for free?
Upload your PDF using the drop zone or Choose File button, adjust the position, format, size, and color to your liking, then click Add Page Numbers. The finished file is ready to download immediately, at no cost.
Can I start page numbering from a number other than 1?
Yes. The Start Number field accepts any value from 0 to 9999, and every following page counts up from that number.
Can I customize the page number format, like "Page 1 of 10"?
Yes. Type any label into the Format field and use {n} for the current page and {total} for the total page count. The tool fills these in automatically on each page.
What page number positions are available?
Six placements are available: top left, top center, top right, bottom left, bottom center, and bottom right.
Can I change the font size, margin, and color of the page numbers?
Yes. Font size and margin from the edge are both adjustable with sliders, and color can be set from a preset swatch or any custom hex code.
Is there a limit to how many pages or how large a PDF I can number?
Files up to 100 MB are accepted, and there is no separate limit on the number of pages within that size. Larger documents are processed in batches to keep things running smoothly.
Will adding page numbers reduce the quality of my PDF?
No. The tool only adds text on top of each existing page. The original content of your document is not recompressed or altered.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. The file is read and processed entirely in your browser. It is never uploaded or stored anywhere.
What happens if I upload a file that cannot be processed?
If a file cannot be read, such as one that is corrupted or locked, a clear error message appears explaining that the PDF could not be processed.
Can I preview the page numbers before downloading?
Yes. The preview panel shows your actual first page with the number overlaid exactly as it will appear, updating live as you change any setting.
What is the downloaded file named?
The result is saved with "_numbered" added to your original file name, so the source file and the numbered copy are easy to tell apart.
Does this tool work on mobile devices?
Yes. The tool is fully responsive and works the same way on phones, tablets, and desktop browsers.
Does numbering work the same way on every page, including a cover page?
The chosen format and position are applied to every page in the file using the same starting number and count. If you want a cover page to appear unnumbered, keep it in a separate file and number the rest, then combine the two afterward.
Do I need to install anything or create an account to use this tool?
No installation or sign-up is required. The tool runs directly in your browser and is free to use.