Add Page Numbers to PDF

How to add page numbers to a PDF

1. Drop your PDF onto the upload area or click to browse, page thumbnails load automatically.
2. Choose the number position: bottom centre, bottom right, or top right.
3. Set the starting number, font size, and colour.
4. Click "Add page numbers" and download the numbered PDF.

Common uses

• Adding page numbers to a thesis, manuscript, or report before submission. Merge all sections first so numbering is continuous
• Numbering pages in a merged PDF document for easy navigation
• Adding sequential numbering to a collection of scanned pages, use compress PDF afterward to reduce the final file size

Technical specification

• Algorithm or formula: Iterates each page in the loaded PDFDocument and calls page.drawText() with the sequence number at the configured anchor (computed from the page's visible crop box, its /Rotate value, and a fixed 28-point margin).
• Browser API or library: pdf-lib for PDF write; embedded Helvetica from the PDF standard 14 fonts (no font upload required).
• Input limits: PDF up to 100 MB. Starting number from 1; font sizes Small, Medium, Large.
• Output: New PDF (application/pdf) with the original content plus a number stamped at the chosen position on every page.
• Known limitations: Number positions are constrained to three fixed anchors. Numbering applies to every page; per-page skipping is not currently configurable.

Frequently asked questions

Where can the page numbers be placed?

Three positions: bottom centre, bottom right, and top right. You can also choose the starting number, font size (small, medium, large), and colour. Numbers are rendered in Helvetica for universal PDF viewer support, and all stamping runs in your browser using pdf-lib.

Can I start numbering from a number other than 1?

Yes. Set the starting number in the "Start at" field, useful for documents that continue from a previous part.

Is my PDF uploaded to a server?

All page numbering runs in your browser using pdf-lib. Our servers are not involved at any point.

Can I change the font size?

Yes. Choose Small (10 pt), Medium (12 pt), or Large (14 pt). The font itself is always Helvetica, one of the standard PDF fonts every viewer can display.