Add Page Numbers to a PDF Document
Insert automatic page numbering in any position and format — footer, header, Roman numerals, or custom format — processed locally.
The Scenario
Academic papers, business reports, legal filings, and technical manuals all require page numbers. Court filings mandate sequential page numbering. Academic institutions require specific formats (Roman numerals for front matter, Arabic for body). Merged documents from multiple sources often lack consistent pagination. Adding page numbers after assembly is the standard workflow.
Why Privacy Matters Here
The documents that need page numbers — court filings, theses, board reports — are often confidential or pre-publication. Uploading a legal brief to a server-based tool to add page numbers exposes its contents before filing.
How to Do It
Upload your PDF
Drop the document that needs page numbers into the tool.
Configure numbering
Choose position (top/bottom, left/center/right), format (1, 2, 3 or i, ii, iii or Page 1 of N), and starting number. Preview shows the result on sample pages.
Apply and download
Page numbers are added to every page. Download the numbered document.
Tips
- ▸For academic papers: use Roman numerals (i, ii, iii) for front matter (abstract, table of contents), then switch to Arabic (1, 2, 3) for the main body. You may need to split the PDF, number each section separately, then merge.
- ▸For legal filings: most courts require Arabic numerals in the bottom center. Check your jurisdiction's local rules.
- ▸Position page numbers in the footer center for formal documents. Use bottom-right for informal reports.
- ▸If your document already has page numbers that are wrong (from a merge), use this tool to overlay correct numbers — the new numbers will print over the old ones.
Why Browser-Based Processing Matters
Legal filings and academic theses often contain unpublished research, privileged arguments, or pre-decisional analysis. Adding page numbers locally keeps pre-publication content private.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start numbering from a page other than 1?▼
Yes. Set the starting number to any value. If your document is the second volume starting at page 101, enter 101 as the start number.
Can I skip numbering on the first page (title page)?▼
Yes. The tool allows you to exclude specific pages from numbering while maintaining the correct sequence for remaining pages.
What font and size are the page numbers?▼
Page numbers use a standard serif or sans-serif font at a readable size (typically 10-12pt). The exact appearance depends on the format you select.