Add Page Numbers to PDF

Two conventions cause most confusion. First, when you skip a cover, the count restarts on the following page — so the physical page 2 shows number 1, which is standard practice for reports and theses. Second, academic front matter traditionally uses lowercase Roman numerals while the main body uses Arabic numbers starting again at 1; because that means two different numbering schemes in one document, produce it by splitting the file, numbering each part with its own settings, then merging the results back together.

For each page, the displayed number is the start value plus how many pages have already been numbered. The label is measured in the chosen font size and positioned from the page’s own width and height, so numbers stay correctly placed even when page sizes vary within the document.

Numbers are drawn on top of the existing page content rather than reflowed into it, so on pages that already have a footer near the edge the two can overlap — switch position if that happens. Every page gets the same format and placement; per-section numbering, such as Roman front matter followed by Arabic body pages, requires splitting the file and numbering each part separately.

A 12-page report with a cover, numbered “Page 1 of 11” at the bottom centre and skipping the first page, puts “Page 1 of 11” on the second physical page and “Page 11 of 11” on the last.

1. Choose your PDF file.
2. Pick the number format and where it should sit.
3. Set a starting number, and tick skip-first if page one is a cover.
4. Download the numbered copy.

• Placing numbers where an existing footer already sits, causing overlap.
• Forgetting to skip the cover, so the title page shows number 1.
• Using a font size so small it disappears when printed.
• Expecting mixed Roman and Arabic numbering in a single pass.

This tool adds page numbers to a PDF in any of seven formats — plain numbers, “Page 1 of 10”, dashes or Roman numerals — placed in any of six positions. You can start counting from any number and skip the first page when it is a cover.

Students submitting assignments, anyone assembling reports from several files, and people preparing documents for print or binding.

• Seven formats, including Roman numerals for front matter.
• Custom starting number, so a chapter can continue from the previous file.
• Skip-cover option, so page 1 lands on the first real page.
• Runs locally — coursework and contracts never leave your device.

• Numbering a dissertation or assignment before submission.
• Paginating a report assembled from several merged PDFs.
• Adding Roman numerals to front matter ahead of the main body.
• Preparing a document for printing and binding.