Our page-numbering tool stamps sequential numbers onto every page of a PDF with full control over position, format, font size, and the starting number. Runs in your browser — your PDF is never uploaded — and the added numbers are real PDF text (selectable, copyable), not images. Clean Helvetica rendering with appropriate margins is applied automatically.
Step-by-step guide
- Upload the PDF. Drop your file in. A preview thumbnail of the first page appears so you can sanity-check the layout.
- Pick a position. Six options: top-left, top-centre, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-centre (most common), bottom-right.
- Choose a format:
- Number —
1, 2, 3, … — minimalist. - Page N —
Page 1, Page 2, … — traditional. - Fraction —
1/10, 2/10, … — reader knows document length at a glance.
- Set font size. 8–10pt looks subtle; 12pt is a reasonable default; 14–18pt improves readability for reports meant for older readers or formal presentation.
- Choose a starting page (optional). If this is volume 2 of a report, start at "51" instead of "1" so numbering is continuous.
- Generate and download. One click and the numbered PDF is saved locally.
When to add page numbers
- Legal filings where page references matter (deposition Q&A, contract clauses).
- Academic papers, dissertations, and submissions to journals.
- Bound reports where the physical print needs navigation.
- Books or training manuals where readers cite specific pages.
- Multi-part documents where one continuous numbering system makes referencing easier.
Formatting recommendations
- For business documents: bottom-centre, Page N, 10–12pt.
- For reports and reviews: bottom-right, fraction format (1/25 style), 10pt — provides progress signal.
- For books or print-like layouts: alternating corners (not supported directly here — use two passes: odd pages top-right, even pages top-left after splitting and merging).
Tips
- Add numbers last. If you're going to reorder, delete, or merge, do it before numbering so pages don't get numbered out of sequence.
- Remove existing numbers first. This tool adds on top; if the PDF already has baked-in numbers, they'll show alongside the new ones. Crop or re-export if needed.
- Don't number a front cover or TOC — split it off with Split, number the body, then merge back.
Frequently asked questions
Are the numbers selectable text in the output?
Yes. They're added as real PDF text objects using Helvetica, not rasterized images.
Can I skip numbering certain pages?
Not directly. Split the PDF, number the body section, and merge back. All pages in the uploaded file get numbered.
Will the numbers overlap page content?
They're placed in the margin area with a small offset from the edge, so overlap on typical documents is rare. If your PDF has tight full-bleed layouts, pick a position with more visible margin.
Can I customise colour or font?
This tool uses black Helvetica for consistency with professional documents. For custom colour / font, use a full PDF editor.
Do my files leave my device?
No. The tool runs entirely in-browser.