PDF Editor

Add Page Numbers to PDF

The easiest way to paginate your PDF documents. Visual positioning, custom formatting, and secure browser-based processing.

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Add Page Numbers to PDF: The Ultimate Guide

Professional documents require professional formatting. One of the most common issues with scanned documents, merged reports, or drafts is the lack of page numbering. Navigating a 50-page contract without page numbers is frustrating and unprofessional. This is where our Add Page Numbers to PDF tool comes in.

Whether you are preparing legal briefs, academic papers, or business reports, our tool allows you to insert customized page numbers into your PDF file instantly. You can control the font, size, position, and even the starting number, ensuring your document meets any submission guideline.

Why Number Your PDF Pages?

Adding pagination is crucial for several reasons:

  • Navigation: Page numbers serve as a roadmap. They allow readers to reference specific parts of the document during meetings or discussions.
  • Professionalism: A document with consistent footer numbering looks finished and authoritative.
  • Printing: If a printed document gets dropped or shuffled, page numbers are the only way to restore the correct order.
  • Compliance: Many courts, universities, and government agencies reject submissions that do not have sequential page numbering.

How Does Our Tool Work?

Our Add Page Numbers to PDF tool uses the advanced pdf-lib library to modify the structure of your PDF file directly in the browser.

  1. Upload: You select your PDF file. The tool loads it into memory without uploading it to a server.
  2. Preview: We generate a live visual of the first page using PDF.js so you can see exactly where the numbers will land.
  3. Configuration: You click the grid to set position (e.g., Bottom Center) and adjust fonts/colors.
  4. Processing: The tool iterates through every page of the PDF, calculates the coordinates, and "stamps" the text number onto the page layer.
  5. Save: The modified document is generated and downloaded to your device.

Key Features

Visual Positioner

No guessing coordinates. Use our 9-grid selector to place numbers exactly where you want them (Top-Right, Bottom-Center, etc.).

100% Private

Your documents never leave your computer. The numbering process happens locally, ensuring total data privacy.

Step-by-Step Guide

Numbering your document is simple:

  1. Upload: Drag your PDF into the red box or click "Select PDF File".
  2. Position: Click a square in the grid to choose the location (e.g., Bottom Right).
  3. Customize: Select the format ("1", "Page 1"), font size, and style. Set a "Start From Page" if you want to skip the cover.
  4. Process: Click "Add Page Numbers".
  5. Download: Save your updated PDF file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I start numbering from page 3? ▼

Yes! Use the "Start Page" setting. If you set it to 3, the first two pages (e.g., cover and table of contents) will remain unnumbered.

Can I number password-protected PDFs? ▼

You must remove the password first. The tool needs to access the document's internal structure to draw the numbers onto the pages.

Does it overwrite existing numbers? ▼

No, it stamps new numbers on top. If your document already has page numbers, the new ones will appear over them. It is best used on documents without existing footer numbering.

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