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Add page numbers to PDF

Add page numbers to a PDF in seconds: drop in the file, pick a format (“1”, “Page 1 of 12” or your own text), choose the position and save. The preview shows the result instantly. Start numbering on any page, even rotated pages come out right – all in your browser.

Source: Adobe – ISO 32000-1:2008 Document management – Portable document format (PDF 1.7). Updated: .

Drag and drop files here or

One PDF file, up to 200 MB

Your files are processed only in your browser and never uploaded – they don’t leave your device.

Font, margin, leading zeros

Numbered PDF

Choose a PDF file – a preview will then appear here.

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    Result

    How it is calculated

    Application packs, theses, contracts with exhibits or a merged PDF: with page numbers everyone finds the right spot, and nothing gets mixed up when printing. This tool writes the numbers as real text onto every page – without Word and without Acrobat.

    How it works

    1. Drop in or choose a PDF. A preview of the first numbered page appears.
    2. Pick a format: “1”, “Page 1”, “Page 1 of 12”, “1 / 12”, “- 1 -” or custom text such as “Exhibit B – Page {n}”.
    3. Set the position: top or bottom, left, center, right – or outside/inside for double-sided, bound documents (odd pages right, even pages left).
    4. Set From page and First number: this keeps the cover and table of contents unnumbered and starts counting at, say, page 3 with “1”.
    5. Click “Add page numbers” and download the PDF.

    Bates numbering and scans

    For legal files and evidence, combine leading zeros with a prefix, e.g. “ABC-000001” (custom text “ABC-{n}” with six digits). On scanned pages whose margin is not blank, “White box behind the number” puts a small white box under the number so it stays readable.

    Technical background

    The number is set in the standard font Helvetica, Times or Courier (ISO 32000-1, 9.6.2.2) and can be selected and searched in the PDF. The tool respects the visible page area (CropBox) and page rotation: even a page turned to landscape gets its number at the bottom in reading direction. Text, images and links on the pages stay untouched.

    Honest limits

    Existing page numbers are not removed – they are part of the page content, so pick a different position. Password-protected PDFs cannot be edited, and digital signatures become invalid. Characters beyond Latin, Greek and Cyrillic (e.g. Japanese) are replaced. Need to reorder pages first? Use Organize PDF; to combine files, Merge PDF.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I add page numbers to a PDF?

    Drop your PDF in here, choose format and position and click “Add page numbers”. The preview shows the result beforehand. Free and without upload.

    How do I start page numbering on page 3?

    Set “From page” to 3 and “First number” to 1. Pages 1 and 2 stay unnumbered, page 3 gets “1”.

    How do I add “Page 1 of 12”?

    Choose the format “Page 1 of 12”. The total is filled in automatically and follows “From page” and “To page”.

    Can I add page numbers without Adobe Acrobat?

    Yes, right in your browser on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android. Nothing is installed and the file is not uploaded.

    What does “outside” alignment mean?

    For double-sided printing the number sits on the right of odd pages and on the left of even pages – always on the outer edge, like in a book.

    Can I add Bates numbers like “ABC-000123”?

    Yes: choose “Custom text …”, enter “ABC-{n}” and pick six digits under “Leading zeros”.

    Sources and legal basis

    As of:

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