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Add page numbers to a PDF

Number the pages of a PDF in your browser. Choose the position, a format such as "Page 1 of 9", and which page to start on. No uploads, no sign-up.

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How to add page numbers

  1. Choose or drop one PDF.
  2. Pick where the number goes (bottom centre, bottom right and so on) and a format: 1, Page 1, Page 1 of 9 or 1 / 9.
  3. Optional: set Start on page to 2 to leave a cover page blank, and First number to continue numbering from another document.
  4. Select Add page numbers and download the -numbered.pdf copy.

Why number a PDF before you send it

When you combine several documents into one file — a statement of claim with supporting evidence, a set of payslips, or scanned pages of a contract — page numbers make it easy for the person reading it to refer to "page 7" and to notice if a page is missing. It is a good last step after merging PDFs or turning photos into a PDF.

What changes and what doesn't

The numbers are added as real text in the Helvetica font, on top of each page. The existing page content is not re-drawn, so text stays selectable, links still work and image quality is unchanged; the file usually grows by only a few KB. Sideways pages are handled: the number is placed relative to the page as it appears on screen. Check the result, because a number can sit on top of content that runs right to the edge of the page — if it does, try a different position or a smaller text size.

Private by design

Numbering uses the open-source pdf-lib library, hosted by FileKivo and run inside your browser. Your PDF is never uploaded, which matters for legal, medical and financial documents. Password-protected PDFs need the password removed first. Need more? Rotate pages, extract pages or compress the PDF if it is now over an upload limit.

Questions

Can I skip the cover page?
Yes. Set Start on page to 2. The cover stays unnumbered and the next page gets the First number you choose (1 by default).
Does "Page 1 of 9" count unnumbered pages?
No. The total is the last number printed, so if you skip a cover page on a 10-page PDF the pages read 1 of 9 to 9 of 9.
Will it reduce quality?
No. Pages are not re-drawn; only a small piece of text is added to each one.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Everything happens in your browser.

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