How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF — Free Online Method

How to add page numbers

1. Open the Add Page Numbers tool. 2. Upload your PDF. 3. Choose position: header or footer, left, centre, or right. 4. Set the starting number (default 1, or custom for documents with cover pages). 5. Choose format: plain numbers or prefix like Page 1. 6. Click Add Page Numbers and download.

Positioning guide

Footer centre: the most standard for corporate documents and books. Footer right: professional, good when footer left has other content. Header right: when footer is occupied by confidentiality notice or URL. Header centre: common in academic papers.

Starting number considerations

For documents with cover pages or front matter you want to exclude from numbering, set the starting number to account for those pages, or merge the front matter back after adding numbers.

Professional tips

Check font size — default 10 to 12pt works for A4. Reserve margin space — page numbers sit in margins; check they do not overlap content. Keep a copy before adding numbers since removal requires a full PDF editor.

FAQ

Can I add numbers to only some pages? Standard tools apply numbers to all pages. For selective numbering, use Adobe Acrobat.

Will adding numbers change content? No. Numbers are added in header or footer space outside the main content area.