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How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF Online
Long reports, theses, and legal documents are much easier to reference when every page is numbered. If the PDF you're working with doesn't have page numbers, you can add them without opening the original source file.
When you need to add page numbers after the fact
Not every document starts out with page numbers. PDFs created from scans, exported from design tools, or merged together from several separate files often end up without them — and re-exporting from the original source isn't always possible.
How to add page numbers
You can add consistent numbering to the whole document in a few steps.
- Upload your PDF
- Choose where the numbers should appear (top or bottom, left, center, or right)
- Set the starting number if you don't want to begin at 1
- Apply the numbering and download the file
Numbering a merged document correctly
If you've combined several PDFs into one — for example, a cover page, a report, and an appendix — add page numbers after merging, not before. That way the numbering runs continuously through the whole combined file instead of restarting in each section.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start numbering from a page other than 1?
Yes. You can set a custom starting number, which is useful when a cover page or table of contents shouldn't count toward the numbering.
Where can the page numbers be placed?
You can typically choose top or bottom of the page, and align them left, center, or right.
Should I merge my PDF first or add page numbers first?
Merge first, then add page numbers, so the numbering is continuous across the entire combined document.