Add Page Numbers to a PDF Online

Add page numbers to PDF documents in your browser. Choose the position, font size, color, starting number, and format before downloading the finished file.

What This Tool Changes in Your PDF

This tool adds a page-number label to every page in the uploaded PDF directly in your browser. You can choose where the label appears, how large it is, what color it uses, what number the sequence starts from, and how the text is formatted.

The downloaded file is a new copy. Your original PDF stays unchanged on your device.

First Page Number Is Not the Same as First Page to Number

First Page Number controls the number printed on the first PDF page. If you enter 5, the first page receives 5, the second receives 6, and so on.

It does not skip earlier pages. This tool numbers every page in the uploaded file and simply changes the number printed on page one.

4-page PDF + first page number 10 → 10, 11, 12, 13

Page Number Formats You Can Use

The format field controls the text written on each page. {n} is the current page number and {total} is the last number in the printed sequence. The format must contain {n}.

Format
{n}
Example output
1
Format
Page {n}
Example output
Page 1
Format
{n} of {total}
Example output
1 of 24
Format
Page {n} / {total}
Example output
Page 10 / 33

A Few Things to Check Before Numbering

Existing headers and footers

Choose a position that does not collide with text already printed near the page edge. This tool adds text; it does not detect occupied footer or header space.

Digitally signed PDFs

Saving a modified copy changes the PDF bytes. If the original relies on a digital signature, modifying the document can invalidate that signature.

Password-protected or encrypted files

Some protected PDFs cannot be modified by the library used in this browser tool and may fail to process.

Very long custom formats

A long label or very large font may not fit within a narrow page. The tool checks each page and stops with an error instead of intentionally drawing the label off the page.

How to Number a PDF

  1. Upload or drag in the PDF you want to number.
  2. Choose the page position, font size, color, first page number, and label format.
  3. Click Add Page Numbers. The browser rebuilds the PDF and downloads the numbered copy.

PDF Page Number Questions

Does the tool number every page?

Yes. Every page in the uploaded PDF receives a label. First Page Number changes the number printed on page one; it does not choose a later PDF page to begin numbering.

Can I put the numbers in the header instead of the footer?

Yes. Choose a top-left, top-center, or top-right position. Bottom positions place the label near the footer area.

Can I write “Page 1 of 20”?

Yes. Use Page {n} of {total}. The {total} value is the last number in the printed sequence, so if numbering starts at 10 in a 24-page PDF, the sequence ends at 33.

What happens if my PDF already has page numbers?

They remain in the document. This tool adds another text label and does not identify or remove existing numbering.

Can the first PDF page be labeled 0 or a negative number?

No. First Page Number is currently limited to positive whole numbers starting at 1.

Does the tool upload my PDF?

The component reads and modifies the selected file in the browser using pdf-lib. There is no upload request in this tool code.

Why might a protected PDF fail?

Encrypted or otherwise restricted PDFs may not be loadable for modification. If processing fails, try an unlocked copy that you are permitted to edit.

Will numbering affect a digital signature?

It can. Adding page-number text changes the PDF and saving produces a modified file, which can invalidate signatures that cover the original document contents.

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