Add Page Numbers
π Private by design: your PDF is processed entirely in your browser. Files never upload anywhere.
How to Use the Page Number Tool
Choose your PDF, type the numbering format you want, pick a position, font, size and start number, then click Add Page Numbers. The tool stamps every page in seconds and gives you a download link. The default format "Page {p} of {n}" works for most documents, but you can customize it freely: "{p}" alone gives simple numbers, while "Section 2, page {p}" labels chapters clearly.
The start number option handles documents that are part of something bigger. If your PDF holds pages 50 through 80 of a manual, set the start number to 50 so the printed numbers match the real document. Six position presets place the numbers in standard margin locations, and the 36 point offset from the edge keeps them clear of body text on virtually any layout.
Why Page Numbers Matter
Page numbers are the simplest navigation aid a document can have. They let readers cite exact locations, let reviewers reference "page 12" instead of describing paragraphs, and let you reassemble a printed stack that gets dropped or shuffled. For anything longer than a few pages, from contracts to theses to product manuals, numbering is not decoration, it is infrastructure.
The "Page X of Y" style adds extra value because readers always know how much remains, which helps in meetings, training sessions and review cycles. Consistent numbering also signals professionalism: an unnumbered 40 page proposal looks unfinished next to a numbered one. Stamping numbers takes seconds with this tool, so there is no reason to ship a long document without them.
Quality and Privacy Details
Numbers are drawn with the PDF standard fonts Helvetica, Times Roman and Courier, which every PDF viewer renders natively. That means the stamping adds no embedded font data and the output stays lightweight. Each number is placed using the actual rendered text width, so centered positions are truly centered regardless of how many digits the numbers have.
Privacy is built in. Stamping happens entirely in your browser with JavaScript, so your document is never uploaded to a server or visible to anyone else. The original file is never modified: the tool always creates a new PDF with numbers added, leaving your source document exactly as it was. This makes the tool safe for confidential contracts, manuscripts and internal reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the {p} and {n} tokens work?
The format box accepts plain text plus two special tokens. The token {p} is replaced with the current page number and the token {n} is replaced with the total page count, so "Page {p} of {n}" becomes "Page 3 of 42" on the third page. You can write any format you like, such as "{p} / {n}", "Section A, page {p}" or just "{p}". Tokens are case sensitive and must use curly braces exactly as shown.
Where can the page numbers appear?
Six position presets cover the standard spots: top left, top center, top right, bottom left, bottom center and bottom right. Numbers sit 36 points, about half an inch, from the edges, which keeps them clear of most content and safe for printing. Bottom center is the classic choice for reports and manuscripts, while top right suits business documents and proposals.
Can numbering start from a number other than 1?
Yes. The start number field lets numbering begin at any value, which is useful when your PDF is one chapter of a larger document. If your file is pages 50 to 80 of a book, set the start number to 50 and the first page will read "Page 50 of 81" style numbering based on the total. The total {n} always reflects the actual page count of the file.
Which fonts are available?
You can choose Helvetica, Times Roman or Courier, each in regular or bold weight. These are the standard built in PDF fonts, so they render identically in every PDF viewer without embedding extra font files. Helvetica suits modern reports, Times Roman fits formal and academic documents, and Courier works for technical or typewriter style layouts.
Will page numbers cover my content?
Numbers are stamped in the margin area near the page edge, where content rarely reaches. If your pages have very tight margins, check the output and consider regenerating with a smaller font size. The stamping adds a new text layer on top of the page, so it never alters or deletes your existing content; your original file is also left untouched because the tool always creates a new PDF.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. Your file never leaves your device. The PDF is read and stamped entirely inside your web browser using JavaScript, so nothing is uploaded, stored or seen by anyone else. This makes the tool safe for sensitive documents such as contracts, manuscripts and financial reports. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and the tool will keep working.