In short: Adding page numbers stamps text such as “3” or “Page 3 of 12” onto each page of a PDF at a chosen position, without changing the existing content.
About Add Page Numbers to PDF
Page numbers make long PDFs easier to reference in meetings, court filings, theses and printed handouts, but many exported PDFs have none. This tool draws the numbers onto each page with the standard Helvetica font, leaving the original text, images and links untouched.
You can skip a cover page or table of contents, start counting from any number and choose formats such as “Page 3 of 12”. Rotated pages are handled so numbers always appear upright at the chosen edge as you view the page.
How to use Add Page Numbers to PDF
- Choose a PDF.
- Pick position, format, size, the first number and how many leading pages to skip.
- Press Add page numbers; the numbered PDF downloads automatically.
Examples
Skip the first 2 pages (title and abstract) and start at 1, so the introduction is page 1.
Use “Page 1 of 12” at the bottom right so everyone can find the page being discussed.
Frequently asked questions
Will this change the layout of my PDF?
No. Numbers are added as a new layer of text on top of each page; nothing is moved or re-flowed.
What if my pages already have numbers?
The new numbers are added anyway. Choose a different corner to avoid overlap.
Does “of N” count skipped pages?
N is the number of numbered pages plus your start offset, so with Skip first = 2 and Start at = 1, a 12-page PDF reads “1 of 10” to “10 of 10”.
Is my file uploaded?
No. Everything happens in your browser with pdf-lib. You can check this yourself: open your browser’s developer tools, switch to the Network tab and use the tool — no request carries your input.
Updated November 2026 · Free, no signup · How we build and test tools