Add page numbers to a PDF — stamp “Page 1 of 3” or just “1” on every page, at the position you choose, starting from any number. Choose a PDF, pick your settings, and download the numbered file. It runs entirely in your browser: free, no sign-in, and your file never leaves your device.
How the page numbers tool works
The tool reads your PDF in your own browser and writes a small grey number at the bottom or top of each page — “Page 1 of 3”, “Page 2 of 3”, “Page 3 of 3” on a 3-page file, for example. Your original pages are left exactly as they are: the tool only adds the number text, and your original file is never changed. You download one new PDF with the numbers stamped in.
Nothing is uploaded to a server. Your PDF is processed on your own device, so it works on any connection and your documents stay private. The number is small and grey, so it sits quietly at the edge of the page instead of competing with your content.
A PDF without page numbers is hard to talk about — “look at the third page” means something different to everyone reading it. The Add Page Numbers to PDF tool stamps a small number on every page of your PDF, so each page can be found, quoted and printed in order. You choose the PDF, pick the format and position, and download one new PDF with the numbers in place. It runs entirely in your browser: free, no sign-in, and your file never leaves your device.
Numbering is the finishing touch on a document, not an edit to it. The tool only adds the number text at the edge of each page — your text, images and layout stay exactly as they were, and your original file is never changed. If you do not like the result, change the settings and number the original again.
How to use the tool, step by step
Four choices stand between you and a numbered PDF, and the tool shows a live preview of what the first page will read before you commit.
- Step 1 — Choose a PDF. Drop a PDF file onto the box, or click it to choose one from your device. PDF files only, up to 50 MB. As soon as it loads, the tool shows the file name and how many pages it has — check that number before you pick your settings.
- Step 2 — Pick a format. “Page N of M” prints the full form, for example “Page 2 of 6”. “Number only” prints just the number, for example “2”. Page N of M is the default, because it tells the reader how long the document is as well as where they are in it.
- Step 3 — Pick a position. Bottom center is the default — the usual place for a page number. Bottom right and bottom left put the number in a corner, and top center puts it at the top of the page instead.
- Step 4 — Set the start number and skip the first page if you like. The start number is the number printed on the first numbered page: 1 by default, or 5 if you are numbering the second half of a document. Tick “Skip numbering the first page” to leave a cover or title page blank — numbering then starts on page 2.
- Step 5 — Add the numbers and download. Press “Add Page Numbers”. One new PDF appears below as a download link, named after your original file with “-page-numbers” added, for example “report-page-numbers.pdf”. Click it to download.
Number formats: “Page N of M” or just “N”
The two formats suit different documents. “Page N of M” gives the reader two facts at once: which page this is, and how many pages there are in total. On a 6-page PDF it reads “Page 1 of 6”, “Page 2 of 6”, all the way to “Page 6 of 6”. That total is useful in reports, contracts and assignments, where the reader wants to know how much is left.
“Number only” prints a bare number — “1”, “2”, “3” — and nothing else. It is the quieter choice, and the right one when the document already states its length somewhere, or when the number is only there so pages can be put back in order after printing. Both formats use the same small grey text, so neither shouts over your content.
Where the numbers go
Bottom center is where readers expect a page number, and it suits most documents — the number sits in the middle of the bottom margin, clear of the text on both sides. Bottom right is the business-document habit: it keeps the number out of the way of centred footers and matches the corner where many templates put their own page marks. Bottom left is its mirror image, useful when the right corner is already busy. Top center puts the number above the text, which suits documents that already have a footer, such as a letterhead or a form with a signature line at the bottom.
Whichever position you pick, the number is the same size everywhere: small grey text, about 11 points, set a short distance in from the edge of the page. It is meant to be found when you look for it and ignored when you do not.
Start number and skipping the first page
The start number is for documents that are part of something bigger. If you split a 20-page report into two 10-page halves and number the second half on its own, starting at 11 keeps the numbering continuous: the second file reads “Page 11 of 20” through “Page 20 of 20”. Start at 5 on a 3-page file and the pages read “Page 5 of 7”, “Page 6 of 7” and “Page 7 of 7” — the total shown is always the start number plus the page count minus one.
Skipping the first page is for cover pages. A title page with a number on it looks unfinished, so the tool can leave page 1 blank and start numbering on page 2. With the default start of 1 and the first page skipped, page 2 reads “Page 2 of 8” on an 8-page file, and the last page reads “Page 8 of 8” — the numbering still counts the cover, it just does not print on it.
Worked examples
Example 1 — a 3-page PDF, “Page N of M”, bottom center, start 1. The tool stamps “Page 1 of 3” on page 1, “Page 2 of 3” on page 2 and “Page 3 of 3” on page 3. One file, three numbered pages, and the reader always knows where they are.
Example 2 — a 12-page PDF, number only, start 5. The pages read “5”, “6”, “7” and so on up to “16” — 12 numbers, one per page. This is the second half of a 16-page document, numbered to match the first half.
Example 3 — an 8-page PDF, “Page N of M”, skip the first page. Page 1, the cover, gets no number at all. Pages 2 to 8 read “Page 2 of 8”, “Page 3 of 8”, up to “Page 8 of 8” — 7 numbered pages, and the cover stays clean.
Example 4 — a 20-page PDF, “Page N of M”, top center, start 11. The pages read “Page 11 of 30” on the first page of this file through “Page 30 of 30” on the last — 20 numbered pages, placed at the top because the document already has a footer at the bottom.
Common mistakes
- Numbering the file twice. If you run the tool on a PDF that already has numbers, the new numbers print on top of the old ones. Always number the original file, not a file you have already numbered.
- Forgetting the cover. A title page with “Page 1 of 8” printed on it looks wrong. Tick “Skip numbering the first page” before you add the numbers — it is easier than removing them afterwards.
- Starting at the wrong number. On a file that is the second half of a longer document, starting at 1 restarts the count. Work out the right start number first: if the first half had 10 pages, the second half starts at 11.
- Expecting the original to change. Numbering never edits your original PDF. The numbered file is a new download — if you want the numbered version, use the downloaded file, not the original.
- Picking a position that clashes with a footer. If your document already has text at the bottom center, put the numbers at the top center or in a corner instead, so the two do not overlap.
- Numbering a password-protected file. The tool cannot open a PDF that asks for a password. Open it with the password and save an unprotected copy, then number that copy.
Related tools
The page numbers tool sits in the File & Image group, and these companion tools cover the rest of a PDF workflow.
- Compress PDF — shrink a PDF before you send it, after you have added the page numbers.
- Split PDF — pull pages out of a PDF first, then number the pages you kept.
- Merge PDF — join several PDFs into one file, then number the combined document from start to finish.
- Sign PDF — add your signature to a PDF, for example the last numbered page of a contract.
- PDF to Word — turn a PDF into an editable Word document when you need to change the text, not just number the pages.
- PDF to JPG — turn PDF pages into images, for example to share a single numbered page.
- JPG to PDF — turn images into a PDF first, then add page numbers to the finished document.
- Excel to PDF — turn a spreadsheet into a PDF, then number its pages for printing.
For all of ToolZana’s free tools, start at the ToolZana home page.
Tips for tidy page numbers
- Check the page count first. The tool shows it as soon as your file loads. A quick look confirms you are numbering the file you meant to, and tells you what the last number will be.
- Read the preview before you number. The preview under the settings says exactly what page 1 will read — “Page 1 of 3”, for example. If it does not match what you expected, fix the start number or the skip setting first.
- Number the final version. Add the numbers after the content is finished. If you add or remove a page afterwards, the total changes and the file needs numbering again — which takes seconds, because the original is untouched.
- Keep the original. The numbered file is a copy. Keep the original PDF until you have checked every numbered page opens correctly — then file or delete it as you like.
- Match the position to the document. Bottom center for reports and assignments, bottom right for business documents, top center when the footer is already taken.
The short version
The Add Page Numbers to PDF tool stamps a small grey number on every page of a PDF: “Page 1 of 3”, “Page 2 of 3”, “Page 3 of 3” on a 3-page file with the default settings, or just “5” to “16” on a 12-page file started at 5 in number-only mode. You choose the format, the position, the start number, and whether the first page stays blank — an 8-page file with the first page skipped reads “Page 2 of 8” to “Page 8 of 8”. The original is left untouched, the file never leaves your device, the tool is free, and there is no sign-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add page numbers to a PDF?
Choose your PDF in the tool, pick the format (“Page N of M” or just the number), the position, and the start number, then press “Add Page Numbers”. The tool stamps a number on every page and gives you one new PDF to download — for example, a 3-page file becomes “Page 1 of 3”, “Page 2 of 3” and “Page 3 of 3”.
Can I add page numbers to a PDF for free?
Yes — this tool is completely free, with no sign-in and no limits on how often you use it. It runs entirely in your browser, so your file is never uploaded to a server, and there is no account or payment step at any point.
What does “Page N of M” mean?
“Page N of M” prints the page you are on and the total number of pages: N is the current page, M is the last page. On a 6-page PDF the pages read “Page 1 of 6”, “Page 2 of 6”, all the way to “Page 6 of 6”. If you start numbering at 5 on a 3-page file, the pages read “Page 5 of 7”, “Page 6 of 7” and “Page 7 of 7”.
Can I start page numbers at a number other than 1?
Yes — set the start number to whatever the first numbered page should read. Starting at 11 on a 10-page file gives “Page 11 of 20” through “Page 20 of 20”, which is how you keep numbering continuous across two halves of one document. The start number must be 1 or higher.
Can I skip numbering the first page of a PDF?
Yes — tick “Skip numbering the first page” and page 1 gets no number at all. Numbering starts on page 2, and the numbers still count the first page: on an 8-page file with the default start of 1, page 2 reads “Page 2 of 8” and the last page reads “Page 8 of 8”.
Where can I put the page numbers?
There are four positions: bottom center (the default, where readers expect a page number), bottom right, bottom left, and top center. Top center is the right choice when the bottom of the page already has a footer or a signature line. The number is the same small grey text in every position.
Do my files leave my computer when I add page numbers here?
No. The numbering happens entirely in your browser, on your own device — your PDF is never uploaded to a server, stored, or seen by anyone else. You can use the tool offline once the page has loaded, and closing the page removes the file from the tool.
Will adding page numbers change my original PDF?
No — your original PDF is never changed. The tool reads it and saves a brand-new file with the numbers stamped in, named after the original with “-page-numbers” added, for example “report-page-numbers.pdf”. If you want a different format or position, number the original again with new settings.
Can I add page numbers to a scanned PDF?
Yes — a scanned PDF is still a PDF, and the tool numbers it by pages just like any other file. The pages are images inside the PDF, so the number is stamped on top of the scanned image at the edge of the page. Numbering does not read the text on the page, so it works the same whether the pages are typed text or scans.
What is the largest PDF I can add page numbers to?
Files up to 50 MB can be numbered here. The limit exists because the whole job runs in your browser: a larger file would use too much of your device’s memory and could freeze the page. If your file is over 50 MB, split it into smaller parts first, or reduce its size and try again.
Why does the tool say my PDF is password-protected?
Some PDFs are locked with a password, and the tool cannot open a locked file without it. Open the PDF with the password in your usual PDF reader, then save an unprotected copy and number that copy instead. If you do not know the password, the file cannot be numbered here.
Can I remove page numbers after adding them?
Not with this tool — once the numbers are stamped into the new PDF, they are part of the page. The fix is simple, though: your original PDF was never changed, so just number the original again with different settings, or use the original as it was. That is why keeping the original matters.