Add page numbers

six positions · configurable format · batch mode

Drop one or more PDFs and stamp page numbers across every page. Pick a position, a format string, and a starting number.

When to use this tool

Add running page numbers to a PDF that didn't ship with them, or replace existing footer numbering with your own format. Most often used after merging documents from different sources (each had its own numbering or none) and you want a consistent Page X of Y across the result.

Step by step

1. Drop the PDFs. The same numbering scheme applies to every file in the batch.
2. Pick a format. Use {n} for the current page and {N} for the total. Common choices: Page {n} of {N}, {n}/{N}, - {n} -, or just {n}.
3. Pick a position. Six options: top / bottom × left / centre / right.
4. Adjust the start number if the first page of this file isn't really "page 1" (e.g. continuing from a previous file).
5. Click "Number pages & download" — each file produces a name-numbered.pdf in the output.

Format examples

• Page {n} of {N} → Page 3 of 24
• {n}/{N} → 3/24
• - {n} - → - 3 -
• {n} → 3
• Section II — {n} → Section II — 3

Common use cases

• Merged documents. Re-numbered after combining 5 separate PDFs into one bound packet.
• Court-ready documents. Bates-style sequential numbering across an exhibits bundle.
• Workshop handouts. Slide-style decks need n / N for participants to keep their place.
• Books and proofs. Reading drafts with consistent numbering between revisions.
• Continuation across files. A 50-page-each pair of PDFs with the second starting at 51 (set start at = 51 on the second file).

Common mistakes

• Numbering on top of existing numbers. If the PDF already has page numbers, this tool draws over them — the result will have two. Use PDF → Text on a sample to check if numbers are present, or strip them via a desktop tool first.
• Cover-page surprise. If the cover page should be unnumbered, this tool always numbers every page — extract just the body via Extract, number it, then re-merge the cover.
• Tiny font on a big page. Default 10pt is fine for A4. Bump to 12-14 for legal-size pages.

FAQ