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How to add page numbers to a PDF

Open Edit PDF, upload your PDF, tick "Add page numbers", choose the position, starting number and format, then press "Save & Download". Every page gets a number.

โœ๏ธ Edit PDF
Add text, images, highlights, strikeout, sticky notes, a signature, and page numbers.

Open Edit PDF

Step by step

  1. Open the Edit PDF tool and choose your file.
  2. In the sidebar, tick "Add page numbers".
  3. Choose the position: bottom center, bottom right, bottom left, top center, top right or top left.
  4. Set the starting number, and pick the format: simple numbers (1, 2, 3) or with the total (1 / N, 2 / N).
  5. Click "Save & Download" and open the result to check the numbers.

Choosing the position and format

  • Bottom center is the usual choice for reports and letters.
  • Bottom right works well for documents that will be printed and bound.
  • The "1 / N" format shows the total too, which helps readers see if a page is missing from a long document.

Leaving the cover page unnumbered

Numbers are applied to every page. To keep a cover page free of a number, split it off, number the rest, then join them again.

Take the cover out with the page extraction guide, add numbers to the remaining pages starting at 1, and finish by combining the cover and numbered pages with the merge guide.

Do it together with other changes

The same editing session can also hold other changes, such as a signature or some typed text, so you only save once. Add them all before you click Save & Download.

Ready to try it? It takes a few seconds and no signup.

Open Edit PDF

Frequently asked questions

Can I start numbering from a number other than 1?

Yes. Set the starting number in the page numbers options before you save.

Can I put numbers at the top of the page?

Yes. The position options include top left, top center and top right as well as the three bottom positions.

How do I leave the first page unnumbered?

Split the cover off, number the remaining pages, and merge the cover back in front. The guide above shows the steps.

What is the 1 / N format?

It prints the page number and the total page count, such as 3 / 12.

Does it change anything else in my document?

No. The numbers are added on top of the existing pages and nothing else is altered.

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