# Add Page Numbers > Add page numbers to your PDF document **Canonical:** https://trydocsy.com/pdf/page-numbers **Last updated:** 2026-09-16 **Privacy:** Runs in your browser; the file is never uploaded. --- This tool stamps a number onto every page of a PDF using pdf-lib, drawing plain gray Helvetica text over the existing content — it doesn't touch or re-typeset anything already on the page, it just adds a new line of text in one of six corner or edge positions. Everything runs in your browser tab; the file is never uploaded. You control the position, the number format, what number the first page starts at, and the font size, then every page in the document gets numbered in one pass — there's no per-page or range-based numbering, and no option to skip a specific page such as a cover sheet. If you need the first page left unnumbered, see the workaround in the sections below rather than assuming the tool does it for you. ## How it works 1. **Drop your PDF** — Upload a .pdf (files over 100 MB are rejected). A password-protected file is turned away with a message to unlock it first; if the file loads with 0 readable pages, that's reported as encrypted too. 2. **Choose position and format** — Position offers six spots: Bottom Center (the default), Bottom Left, Bottom Right, Top Center, Top Left, or Top Right. Format offers three styles: “1, 2, 3…”, “- 1 -, - 2 -…”, or “Page 1 of N.” 3. **Set the starting number and font size** — Start From defaults to 1 and accepts any whole number — useful for a document that continues numbering from a previous section. Font Size defaults to 12pt; any value you type is clamped to a 4–72pt range when the PDF is generated. 4. **Add the numbers and download** — Press “Add Page Numbers,” then “Download Numbered PDF” once it finishes. The file keeps your original name with “-numbered” appended before the .pdf extension. ## When you'd use it - **Preparing a thesis or assignment for submission** — Academic submissions commonly require numbered pages. Running your finished document through here adds consistent numbering in one step instead of doing it in your word processor and re-exporting. - **Numbering a multi-document annexure bundle** — After merging several supporting documents into one PDF for a government form or application, page numbers make it possible for a reviewer to reference “see page 14” instead of describing which document and section. - **Continuing numbering across a split document** — If a long report was split into parts, use Start From to pick up numbering where the previous part left off, so the combined set reads as one continuously numbered document. - **Adding “Page X of N” to a contract or proposal** — The “Page 1 of N” format tells a reader immediately how many pages they should expect and whether their copy is complete — useful for printed contracts and multi-page proposals. ## The three number formats “1, 2, 3…” prints just the number, the simplest and most compact option. “- 1 -, - 2 -…” wraps each number in dashes, a common style for the bottom of formal documents. “Page 1 of N” spells out the current page and the document's total page count, which is the clearest option when the document might be printed or separated from its original file. ## Numbering every page, and how to leave a cover page unnumbered There's no setting to skip a specific page, such as a cover sheet or title page — the chosen format and starting number apply to every page in the document, starting with page one. If you need a cover page left unnumbered, split it off first with /pdf/split, run this tool on the remaining pages (setting Start From to 1, or to whatever number the second page should show), then rejoin the numbered pages with the cover using /pdf/merge. Numbers are added as a text overlay drawn on top of the existing page — the underlying content isn't modified, resized, or re-flowed, so the number is simply layered into the corner or edge margin you pick. ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Can I skip numbering a cover page?** A: Not directly — numbering applies to every page in one pass. Split the cover page off first with /pdf/split, number the rest here, then merge them back together with /pdf/merge. **Q: Can I start numbering from something other than 1?** A: Yes, the Start From field accepts any whole number, useful when a document continues the numbering of an earlier part. **Q: Does adding page numbers change my existing PDF content?** A: No. The number is drawn as a text overlay on top of each page; nothing already on the page is edited, moved, or removed. **Q: What page number formats are available?** A: Three: plain numbers (“1, 2, 3…”), dash-wrapped numbers (“- 1 -, - 2 -…”), and “Page 1 of N,” which also shows the document's total page count. **Q: Can I number a password-protected PDF?** A: No, it's rejected on upload with a message to unlock it first. Use the PDF Unlock tool, then upload the unlocked copy here. **Q: What's the largest PDF I can number here?** A: You can number PDFs up to 100 MB. The file size is verified in your browser the moment you select the document. ## Related tools - [Add Header & Footer](https://trydocsy.com/pdf/header-footer) - [Split PDF](https://trydocsy.com/pdf/split) - [Merge PDF](https://trydocsy.com/pdf/merge) - [Organize PDF](https://trydocsy.com/pdf/organize) - [Unlock PDF](https://trydocsy.com/pdf/unlock) --- ## About TryDocsy TryDocsy is a free website of PDF, image and file-conversion tools that run entirely in your web browser, so your files are processed on your own device and never uploaded. It also includes photo and signature resizers preset to Indian government-exam specifications. - Website: https://trydocsy.com - Privacy Policy: https://trydocsy.com/privacy - Terms of Service: https://trydocsy.com/terms - Contact: https://trydocsy.com/contact