PilotPDF

Add Page Numbers to a PDF

Choose the wording and where the numbers go, skip the cover if you like, and check every page in the preview before you download.

How to add page numbers to a PDF

  1. 1

    Choose your PDF

    Pick the report, thesis, contract or booklet you want to number. It opens for the current task and is not retained by PilotPDF.

  2. 2

    Choose the wording and position

    Pick Page 1 of 10 or another style, click where the number goes, and decide whether to skip the cover. The preview updates as you change things.

  3. 3

    Add the numbers and download

    Click Add Numbers and download your numbered PDF. Your original file isn't changed.

Numbering a report with a cover page

Most reports and theses don't show a number on the cover. Choose Skip the first page and numbering starts on the page after it, at 1. If your document has a cover and a contents page, choose Only some pages and type 3-, so page 3 onwards is numbered.

Opening pages such as a preface or acknowledgements are often numbered i, ii, iii. You can do that here too: number those pages with roman numerals first, then run the tool again on the saved file to number the main part with 1, 2, 3.

Page 1 of 10 is handy for contracts and forms, because anyone holding a printed copy can see straight away if a page is missing.

Numbers for printed booklets

When a document is printed on both sides and bound, numbers in the middle of the page are easiest, because they're in the same place on every page. If you'd rather have them in the corner, tick Swap sides on facing pages so each number sits on the outer edge.

Leave a little room for the binding and the printer. The default distance of about 10 mm from the edge works for most home and office printers.

Your files are never retained by PilotPDF

PilotPDF does not keep copies of your original files, completed files, passwords, or document contents after processing.

Read our privacy policy for details about analytics and data handling.

Related tools

Merge PDF

Join your chapters into one file before numbering.

Split PDF

Break a long document into parts.

Add Watermark

Mark the pages DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL too.

Pages Per Sheet

Print 2 or 4 pages on each sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose your PDF, pick what to write, like Page 1 of 10, and click where the number should go. Check the preview, then click Add Numbers and download the file.
Yes. Choose Skip the first page. Numbering then starts on page 2, and it starts at 1 unless you change Start counting at.
Yes. Choose Only some pages and type them, like 3-12. Only those pages get a number, and the count runs across just those pages.
Pick the Page 1 of 10 button, or type your own wording using {n} for the page number and {total} for the last number, like Sheet {n} of {total}.
Yes. Change Start counting at. That's useful when this PDF continues from another document, such as chapter 2 starting at page 31.
Yes. Choose i, ii, iii or I, II, III under Number style. Many reports and books number their opening pages this way.
For printed booklets, it puts the number on the outer edge of each page: on the right for odd pages and on the left for even pages.
Yes. Choose from four fonts, including a bold one, set the size and colour, and move the numbers closer to or further from the edge.
Yes. Numbers are placed on each page as you see it, so they read the right way up even on landscape or rotated pages.
No. The numbers are added online. Your PDF is not retained by PilotPDF. To number a password-protected PDF, remove the password with Unlock PDF first.