Add Page Numbers
Number every page in the header or footer, in the style and position you choose.
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How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF
Page numbers turn a pile of pages into a document people can actually navigate. They make it possible to say "see page 14" in a meeting, to put a printed report back in order after it's dropped, and to build a table of contents that points somewhere. Yet many PDFs — merged scans, exported slides, combined appendices — arrive with no numbering at all. PDFDoco adds clean, professional page numbers to every page in seconds, with a live preview so you can see the result before you download, and without uploading your file.
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Upload your PDF
Add the document you want to number. A preview of the first page appears right away.
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Pick a position
Tap where the number should go: header or footer, and left, center, or right.
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Choose a style
Select a format like 1, Page 1, or 1 of 10, plus font, size, and color.
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Download
Numbers are added to every page and your new PDF downloads instantly.
Live preview
See exactly where the number lands and how it looks before you download.
Book-ready options
Skip the cover page, start from any number, and mirror numbers on facing pages.
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Numbering happens in your browser. Your document is never uploaded.
Choosing the right position
The bottom center of the page is the most familiar spot and works for almost any document. Bottom right is common in business reports, where readers flip through the outer edge of the pages. Header positions suit documents that already have footers — such as letterheads, legal disclaimers, or slide decks with logos in the footer. Use the position picker and watch the live preview to make sure the number sits clear of your content.
Picking a number format
A plain "1" is clean and minimal, perfect for books and presentations. "Page 1" reads more formally in reports and manuals. Formats that include the total, such as "1 of 12" or "Page 1 of 12", are ideal for contracts, invoices, and forms, because the reader can immediately tell whether a page is missing — a detail that matters when a document is signed or submitted as evidence.
Book and booklet layouts
If you're preparing a document for double-sided printing, two options help it look professionally typeset. Skipping the first page leaves the cover clean, while setting the starting number lets the first content page begin at 1. Mirroring places numbers on the outer edge of each spread — right on odd pages, left on even pages — just like a printed book.
Who needs numbered PDFs?
Lawyers number exhibits and court bundles so every page can be referenced precisely. Students add page numbers to theses and assignments to meet submission guidelines. Businesses number proposals, tenders, and policies so reviewers can leave precise feedback, and anyone printing a long document benefits from being able to keep the pages in order.
Pro tip: building one document from several files? Merge them first with Merge PDF, then add page numbers to the combined file so the numbering runs continuously from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip numbering on the cover page?
Yes. Turn on "Don't number the first page" and numbering begins on page two. Combine it with "Start at" to control which number appears first — for example, start at 1 so the page after the cover is page 1.
What does "Mirror on facing pages" do?
In printed books and booklets, page numbers usually sit on the outer edge of each page — on the right for odd pages and on the left for even pages. With mirroring on, a number set to the right side automatically swaps to the left on even pages, and vice versa.
Will page numbers cover my existing content?
Numbers are placed inside the page margin you choose. Most documents have enough white space around the edges, but if your content runs close to the edge, choose a different corner or a smaller margin and check the live preview.
Does it work with landscape and rotated pages?
Yes. Each page is handled individually, so numbers appear upright and in the correct corner on portrait pages, landscape pages, and pages that were saved rotated.
Can I number only part of a document?
You can skip the first page directly. To number only a section of a longer file, use Extract PDF Pages to pull out that section, number it here, and merge it back with Merge PDF.
Is the quality of my PDF affected?
No. Page numbers are added as crisp vector text on top of your existing pages. Nothing is re-rendered or compressed, and your text stays selectable and searchable.