Add page numbers to PDF

How to Page numbers

1. Choose a PDF, or drop it on the box above.
2. Pick where the number goes, its style and digits, the first number and the size.
3. Tick “Don’t number the first page (cover)” if your file starts with a cover.
4. Press Add page numbers, then Download. You get a new file ending in “-numbered”; your original is not changed.

The options, one by one

• Where: bottom centre, bottom right, bottom left, top centre, top right or top left. Numbers sit about 1 cm from the edge of the page.
• Style: a plain number (1), a number with the total (1 / 10), Page 1 of 10, or a number between dashes (- 1 -).
• Digits: 1 2 3, or the Eastern Arabic digits ١ ٢ ٣ used in much of the Arab world.
• First number: the number printed on the first page of the file, 1 unless you change it.
• Size: in points, like font sizes in a word processor. 10 is the default; you can choose from 6 to 36.
• Don’t number the first page (cover): leaves the first page blank of any number.

Arabic page numbers

The Arabic version of this page (use the العربية link at the top) offers the wording «صفحة 1 من 10» in place of Page 1 of 10, and starts with Eastern Arabic digits, so the result reads «صفحة ١ من ١٠». You can switch to 1 2 3 there too.

Numbers in 1 2 3 are added as real text. Arabic words and Eastern Arabic digits are drawn by your browser, which joins the letters properly, and placed as a sharp picture made for printing. They look the same either way; the picture kind just can’t be selected as text.

Covers, chapters and the “of” number

When you skip the cover, it still counts. With First number 1, the cover gets no number and the page after it shows 2.

First number is useful when a file continues from another one. If chapter 2 starts on page 21, type 21 and the pages run 21, 22, 23 and so on. In styles that show a total, the total is the last page’s number: a 10-page file starting at 21 reads “21 of 30” up to “30 of 30”.

If you are putting several files together, merge them first with Merge PDF and number the finished file once. That keeps the numbering in one run.

Before you download: things to check

• The tool doesn’t look for empty space. If your pages already have a footer or old numbers at the bottom, the new number may sit on top of them; choose a top position instead.
• Landscape and turned pages get their number where you see the bottom or top of the page, not where it is stored sideways inside the file.
• Numbers are printed in black in a plain font. There is no colour or font choice.
• There is no preview, so open the new file and look at a few pages. Your original is untouched, so you can simply try again with other settings.
• A PDF with a password or owner limits is refused until you remove them with Unlock PDF. A digitally signed PDF needs a tick first, because adding numbers makes the signature show as invalid.

Everything happens in your browser: your file is never uploaded to any server. You can check: once your file is open, turn on airplane mode — the tool still works.

Questions

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