Number your PDF pages like a finished document
Page numbers are one of those details that separate a draft from a deliverable. Reviewers say “see page 12”, courts and committees demand numbered exhibits, printed handouts get shuffled and must be re-sorted, and a merged bundle of several documents loses whatever numbering its parts once had. Yet most PDF tools hide page numbering behind a paid tier. This tool stamps clear, professional page numbers onto every page of your PDF in seconds — position, starting number and size are all yours to choose, and the file never leaves your browser.
How to add page numbers
- Drop your PDF into the upload area.
- Pick a position: bottom centre (the classic), bottom right, bottom left, or top centre.
- Set the starting number — usually 1, but see below for when it isn't.
- Choose a font size (11 pt fits most documents) and click Add page numbers.
Choosing position and starting number wisely
Bottom centre is the safest default: it survives hole-punching, stapling and double-sided printing without ever sitting in a margin that gets bound away. Bottom right suits reports read on screen, where the eye finishes each page at the lower right. The starting number matters when your PDF is part of a larger whole — if you are numbering the second volume of a bundle whose first volume ended at page 86, start this one at 87 and the combined set reads seamlessly. Numbering a scanned exhibit for court? Many filing standards expect numbering to begin at 1 on the very first physical page, cover included.
What the stamp looks like
Numbers are drawn in a neutral dark-grey Helvetica directly into the page content, a comfortable distance from the edge so desktop printers won't clip them. Because the number becomes part of the page itself, it shows up identically in every reader, in print, and in screenshots — unlike header/footer tricks in word processors, nothing can “unstick” it. The operation preserves the original page content untouched beneath the stamp; text remains selectable and images keep full quality.
Tips from heavy users
- Number after merging, not before. Merge your documents first, then stamp the bundle once for continuous numbering.
- Check page 1 for collisions. If a title page has artwork at the bottom edge, top-centre position keeps the number clear of it.
- Large print jobs: 11–13 pt is readable without shouting; go bigger only for presentation decks viewed from a distance.
- Re-stamping: numbers are permanent. To change them, return to your original file and stamp again with new settings.
From court bundles to lecture notes, numbered pages keep every reader literally on the same page — and now it costs you one click instead of one licence.
Quick reference
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Input | One PDF file |
| Positions | Bottom centre / right / left, top centre |
| Starting number | Any value (default 1) |
| Font | Helvetica, 6–32 pt, dark grey |
| Permanence | Drawn into page content — visible everywhere |
| Quality | Original content untouched beneath the stamp |
| Processing | 100% in-browser, no upload |
Frequently asked questions
Can I start numbering from a number other than 1?
Yes — set any starting value. This is essential for multi-volume bundles: if volume one ends at page 86, start volume two at 87 and the set numbers continuously.
Will the numbers overlap my page content?
The stamp sits in the outer margin area where documents rarely have content. If a decorative title page does clash, choose a different position (e.g. top centre) and re-run on the original file.
Can I remove or change the numbers later?
The stamp becomes part of the page, so it cannot be peeled off afterwards. Keep your unnumbered original; to change style or position, stamp that original again with new settings.
Does the tool support “Page X of Y” or Roman numerals?
It stamps plain sequential numbers (1, 2, 3…), which is what courts, schools and reviewers most commonly require. For custom formats you would need a desktop editor — but for 95% of use cases plain numbers are exactly right.