Add page numbers to a PDF — free, choose position and starting number (no Acrobat)
2026-09-28
Open the Page Numbers tool, drop in the PDF, choose where the numbers go and which number the first page should get, and download. It takes a few seconds, works on any PDF including scans, and doesn't touch the existing content — the numbers are drawn as a small text layer on each page.
Use the tool
Options that matter
- Position: bottom centre (most documents), bottom right (books), top right (legal filings)
- Start number: set 0 or skip the cover so the first content page is '1'
- Format: '3', '3 / 24' or 'Page 3' depending on the tool's format field
- Font size 9–11 pt is standard; larger for slides exported to PDF
Numbering a merged document
When you combine several PDFs, each keeps its original numbers (or has none). Merge first, then add numbers to the merged file so the sequence runs continuously from the first page to the last. This is the usual requirement for thesis appendices, exhibit bundles and tender submissions.
Related tasks
- Bates numbering for legal discovery — use a prefix in the format field (e.g. 'ABC-000123')
- 'Draft' or 'Confidential' stamps — the watermark tool places diagonal text on every page
- Removing existing numbers isn't possible without editing the PDF; add the new ones in a different position instead