Reports, legal bundles, dissertations and manuals all need page numbers, and merged PDFs almost never have them. Adding them afterwards takes less than a minute.

What the tool does

Add Page Numbers writes a plain number on every page. You choose:

• Position: top or bottom, and left, centre or right (six positions in all).
• Start number: the number the first page gets. It defaults to 1.
• Font size: 12 by default. Go smaller for dense pages and larger for slides.

Numbers are added to every page in order, in a simple sans-serif font. The tool writes just the number, so there is no "Page 3 of 20" style.

Steps

1. Open Add Page Numbers and upload your PDF (up to 50 MB).
2. Pick the position, start number and size.
3. Download the numbered file and scroll through it.

Check a few pages, especially any with a footer or a dark background. If a number lands on top of existing text, try another corner.

The cover page problem

Numbering starts on page one, cover included. If you want the first content page to be "1", do this:

Number the body of the document on its own, then add the cover afterwards. Use Split PDF to separate the body from the cover, number the body with the start number set to 1, and put the cover back at the front with Merge PDF.

Numbering merged documents

Merge everything first and number afterwards, so the sequence is continuous across all sections. Doing it in the other order gives you several documents that each start at 1. Our merge guide explains how to order files before you combine them.

Tips

• Pick a corner that matches your reader's habits. Bottom centre suits reports; bottom right suits books and legal work.
• Check that the number doesn't collide with an existing printed footer. If it does, switch corners.
• If you rearrange pages afterwards with Reorder Pages, the numbers are part of each page and travel with it, so finish reordering before you number.
• Compress the final file if it grew, with Compress PDF.

Example: a 40-page report with a cover and contents page

Merge the cover, contents and body into one file with Merge PDF, or keep the cover separate if you want the body to start at 1. Add the numbers at bottom centre, size 11 or 12, and check the pages with tables or full-width images. If a table runs into the number, switch to bottom right. Then compress the finished file if it is going by email, and keep an unnumbered copy in case you need to reorder sections later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I number only some pages?

Not directly. Split the file, number the part you need, and merge it back.

Can I use roman numerals or "Page X of Y"?

No. The tool adds plain numbers.

Can I remove numbers later?

Not from the finished file. Keep your unnumbered original.

Does it change the rest of the page?

No. Only the number is added.