Page numbers look trivial until a document already carries printed numbers, starts on a different page, or needs a header that matches an existing house style. The tool gives you the pattern, position and starting point; the check is what keeps two numbering systems from fighting.
Step by step
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1
Upload your PDF
Drag your PDF onto the box or click Choose file. It is sent over an encrypted connection and only used for this task.
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2
Set the options
Adjust numbering line, location on page, font and font size. Every field has a sensible default, so you can usually run the tool straight away.
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Run it and download
Press Page Numbers and the page shows progress while it works. When it finishes you get a download link — nothing is emailed and nothing is stored longer than it needs to be.
Numbering is not Bates stamping
Page numbers are the reader’s navigation: one simple sequence, usually “Page 1”, “Page 2”. Bates numbering is a legal identifier with a fixed prefix and a number that must not reset between files. Use Page Numbers for ordinary documents and Bates Numbering when a case file or discovery set requires it.
Pattern, position and start
The numbering line can include plain text around a page token, so “Page [PAGE_ARABIC] of 20” or a document title is possible. Choose a header or footer position that does not collide with an existing logo, and set the starting number when the PDF begins at chapter 4 or continues another volume. A start of 0 is valid for cover pages that should not count as page one.
Page ranges and margins
Apply numbering to all pages, or use the Pages field to leave the cover and contents clean. If numbers land too close to the edge, choose the “increase margins” option rather than pushing the text outside the printable area. Keep the same font and size across the document; a mixed pattern looks like an editing mistake.
Check for double numbering
Open the output and compare a page that already had a printed number with the new header or footer. Search for two sequences on the same page and remove the old one if necessary. Check the start number, the last page and a page in the middle, then print one sheet to confirm the number is inside the printable area.
Good habits for Page Numbers
- The preview updates as you type, so you can judge spacing before running it.
- Leave a page range blank to apply to every page.
- Colours accept a hex value, so you can match an existing brand colour exactly.
Common questions
Is this tool free?
Yes. Every tool on this site is free to use, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily task limit.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The tools run in your browser and are processed by this server.
What happens to my files?
They are stored under an unguessable id and swept automatically after a couple of hours. Nothing is shared or indexed.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. The page pickers and editors are built for touch, so dragging, rotating and selecting pages all work without a mouse.
What does Page Numbers do exactly?
Apply page numbering to PDF files.
Can I start numbering at 0?
Yes. Set the starting number to 0 when a cover or front matter should not count as page one. Check the first few pages after saving.
Can I number only selected pages?
Yes. Use the Pages field to choose the pages; use a separate pass if different sections need different number formats.
Why are the numbers in the wrong place?
The chosen header/footer position may collide with the page content or sit outside the printable margin. Switch position or use the margin option, then print a test page.