How to use the Add Page Numbers to PDF tool
- Choose your PDF.
- Pick the position (a corner or the centre, top or bottom) and edit the text format. Use {n} for the page number and {total} for the last number.
- Set the start number and the first page to number. Set it to 2 to leave the cover page blank.
- Press Add page numbers, check the preview of page 1 and download the numbered PDF.
Worked example: a 12-page report with a cover
report.pdf has 12 pages and page 1 is a cover. Keep the format Page {n} of {total}, the position bottom centre and the start number 1, and set First page to number to 2.
- The cover stays blank.
- Page 2 of the file shows Page 1 of 11, and the last page shows Page 11 of 11.
- At the default 11 point size the longest label, Page 11 of 11, is about 68 points wide and is centred 28 points above the bottom edge.
With First page to number left at 1, the labels would run from Page 1 of 12 to Page 12 of 12. The result downloads as report_numbered.pdf.
Formats and numbering options
The format box accepts any text with the two placeholders: {n} alone gives a bare number, Page {n} of {total} gives a full label and - {n} - gives centred dashes. If you skip a cover page, numbering starts on the first page you choose, and the total counts the last number so the label stays consistent. Setting the start number to 0 makes the first numbered page count as zero, useful for front matter.
Fonts, rotated pages and limits
Numbers are drawn in Helvetica, a standard font that every PDF viewer has, so no font is embedded and file size barely changes. That font covers Latin letters, digits and common punctuation; text in other scripts is refused with a clear message. Pages that are rotated in the PDF are handled: the number stays at the visual position you chose rather than ending up sideways. The numbers are added on top of existing content, so leave enough margin if your pages already have footers.
Your files stay on your device
The numbers are drawn onto your PDF by code running in your browser in a background worker, and the preview is drawn locally too. The document is never sent anywhere, so you can number confidential reports and legal bundles safely.
Frequently asked questions
Can I skip the cover page?
Yes. Set First page to number to 2. The cover stays unnumbered and numbering starts there at your start number.
Can I use Roman numerals?
Not in this tool. It writes Arabic numerals only.
Will the numbers overlap existing text?
They sit 28 points from the page edge. If your pages have a footer there, choose a different corner or position.
Does it work on landscape or rotated pages?
Yes. Positions refer to the page as it is displayed, including rotation.
Can I edit or remove the numbers later?
They become part of the page content, so keep your original file. Removing them needs an editor.