How do I skip the cover page?

Set From page to 2. If you want the second page to show 1, also set First number to 1. In facing-pages mode you can instead tick “First page is cover page”.

Can I write “Page 3 of 20”?

Yes, pick the “Page {n} of {p}” option. For other wording, choose Custom and type text containing {n}, {p} or both.

What does facing pages mode change?

It treats the document as two-page spreads, like an open book. A number set to the right is placed on the right of right-hand pages and on the left of left-hand pages, so it is always on the same side of the spread.

Do the numbers follow rotated pages?

Yes. Placement is calculated on the page as it is displayed, so a page that shows landscape gets its number in the chosen corner of that landscape view.

What happens to my PDF after the numbers are added?

It is processed on vupdf’s own servers only to add the numbers and is deleted right after you receive the numbered file. No account or sign-up is involved.

Can I number a password-protected PDF?

Yes. For a file with an open password, the preview asks for it; files that only restrict editing are processed without one. The numbered copy downloads without a password, so use Encrypt PDF to lock it again.

All Tools

Add Page Numbers

Automatically number the bottom of every page.

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Up to 50 MB per file

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Files are deleted right after processing

What Add Page Numbers does

Add Page Numbers prints a page number on the pages of a PDF, so printed copies can be put back in order and readers can refer to “page 14” in a meeting. It is useful for theses, reports, contracts and any document that was assembled from several sources and lost its original numbering along the way.

The tool goes further than a plain number at the bottom of the page. You decide where numbering starts and ends, which number the first numbered page gets, and whether to use 1, 2, 3, Roman numerals or letters. The text can be the bare number, “Page 3”, “Page 3 of 20” or your own wording. For documents that will be printed as a booklet or read two pages at a time, a facing-pages mode mirrors the position on left and right pages, and the first page can be treated as an unnumbered cover.

How to use Add Page Numbers

Upload your PDF; a preview of its pages appears next to the settings.
Choose Single page or Facing pages, and tick “First page is cover page” if the document opens with a cover.
Click one of the six positions and pick a margin: Small, Recommended or Big.
Set the page range with From page and To page, and enter the First number if counting should not start at 1.
Pick a text option and number style, adjust font, size, color and styling, then download the numbered PDF.

Features and options

Start anywhere, from any number: From page and To page limit numbering to part of the document, and First number sets the value printed on the first numbered page. A report with two unnumbered intro pages can start showing 1 on page 3.
Number styles: Choose 1, 2, 3, lowercase or uppercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii or I, II, III), or letters (a, b, c or A, B, C). Roman numerals suit front matter like a preface, letters suit appendices.
Ready-made and custom text: Use the bare number, “Page {n}” or “Page {n} of {p}”, or write your own text up to 60 characters, such as “Annual Report – {n}”. {n} becomes the page's number and {p} the number of the last numbered page, so the count always ends neatly, like “12 of 12”, whatever range you pick.
Facing pages and cover: In facing-pages mode the left-hand page mirrors the right-hand placement, so numbers stay on the outer or inner edge of each spread. With the cover option, page 1 stays unnumbered and viewers are told to show it alone in two-page view.

When it helps

A graduate student numbers a thesis so that the title page and abstract carry none, and chapter one starts at page 1.
A paralegal stamps “Exhibit B – Page {n} of {p}” at the bottom right of an exhibit bundle.
A teacher numbers the front matter of a course pack with i, ii, iii and the lessons with 1, 2, 3 by running the tool twice with different ranges.

Tips and limits

PDFs of up to 50 MB can be numbered in a single pass.
To leave blank pages or full-page pictures unnumbered, list them under “Pages without a number” (e.g. 3, 7-8); they get no number but still count.
The tool adds numbers but does not remove old ones. If the PDF already has numbers, pick a position that doesn’t overlap them, or hide them first with Crop PDF or Edit PDF.

Frequently asked questions

How do I skip the cover page?: Set From page to 2. If you want the second page to show 1, also set First number to 1. In facing-pages mode you can instead tick “First page is cover page”.
Can I write “Page 3 of 20”?: Yes, pick the “Page {n} of {p}” option. For other wording, choose Custom and type text containing {n}, {p} or both.
What does facing pages mode change?: It treats the document as two-page spreads, like an open book. A number set to the right is placed on the right of right-hand pages and on the left of left-hand pages, so it is always on the same side of the spread.
Do the numbers follow rotated pages?: Yes. Placement is calculated on the page as it is displayed, so a page that shows landscape gets its number in the chosen corner of that landscape view.
What happens to my PDF after the numbers are added?: It is processed on vupdf’s own servers only to add the numbers and is deleted right after you receive the numbered file. No account or sign-up is involved.
Can I number a password-protected PDF?: Yes. For a file with an open password, the preview asks for it; files that only restrict editing are processed without one. The numbered copy downloads without a password, so use Encrypt PDF to lock it again.

Related guides

Watermarks and Page Numbers: Preparing PDFs for Sharing