How to add page numbers to a PDF
- 1
Click Choose files or drag one or more PDFs into the box above.
- 2
Choose the Position — Bottom center, Bottom right or Top right.
- 3
Choose the Format — 1, 2, 3 or 1 of 10 — and the number to Start at.
- 4
Click Convert. The numbered PDF downloads automatically; several files can be saved with Download all (ZIP).
Why number a PDF?
Page numbers make a document easy to discuss and hard to misplace: “see page 14” works in a meeting, a printed stack can be put back in order, and a reviewer can confirm nothing is missing. They are expected — or required — for:
- Contracts and legal documents, especially with the “1 of N” format.
- Theses, reports and course work, where submission rules often specify numbering.
- Merged documents, such as a proposal assembled from several PDFs.
- Print jobs and manuals, so loose pages can be put back in order.
Choosing position and format
| Option | Recommended for |
|---|---|
| Bottom center, “1, 2, 3” | Books, reports, academic work — the classic choice |
| Bottom right, “1 of 10” | Contracts, forms and anything printed and signed |
| Top right | Documents with a footer already in use, or legal pleadings |
Tips
- Number last. Merge, reorder and delete pages first with Organize PDF; add numbers once the final order is set.
- Combining several files? Merge PDF them, then number the merged document so numbering is continuous.
- Marking drafts? Combine page numbers with a “DRAFT” or “CONFIDENTIAL” stamp using Watermark PDF.
Numbers are added inside your browser — the document is never sent anywhere, which matters for contracts and unpublished work.
Common problems and fixes
The number overlaps a footer or a logo. Many templates already use the bottom of the page. Switch the position to Top right, or Bottom right if the footer text is centred.
The numbering should continue from another file. Set Start at to the next number — if part 1 ended on page 48, start part 2 at 49. Better still, merge the parts and number the combined file once.
I need roman numerals or a prefix like “Page 3”. The tool writes Arabic numerals in the two formats shown — “3” or “3 of 10”. For a front section in roman numerals, keep those pages separate and number only the main part.
Some pages are sideways. Fix their orientation first with Rotate PDF so the numbers end up where readers expect them.
“This PDF is password-protected.” Unlock it first. If it must stay protected, number the unlocked copy and protect it again afterwards.
Numbering for print
For double-sided printing, bottom center is the safest choice: it stays in the same place whether the page is on the left or the right. Leave a little margin at the bottom of your document so the number doesn’t collide with the last line of text.