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VellumPDF

Number the pages

Clean pagination, the way a printer would do it.

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Drop your PDF here

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How to number the pages of a PDF, step by step

A number is inserted on every page from a chosen starting point, directly in your browser.

  1. Drop in the PDF

    Drag the file onto the drop area, or click to choose it.

  2. Choose the position

    Six positions: top or bottom, left, centre or right. “Margin” sets the distance from the edge in millimetres, and “Facing pages” mirrors the even pages.

  3. Choose the format

    “1”, “1 / N”, “Page 1 of N” or “Custom”, where {n} becomes the number and {total} the document’s page count; Helvetica, Times or Courier, any colour.

  4. Set the size and the starting point

    Size ranges from 6 to 48 points; “Start at page” leaves the earlier pages unnumbered, and “First number” picks the digit shown on that first numbered page.

  5. Click “Number the pages”

    The number is inserted on every page from there to the end of the document.

The “First number” field accepts typing 0, but the generated file always starts at 1 at the very least — it is not a way to number from zero.

Frequently asked questions

How do you add page numbers to a PDF?

Drop the document, pick one of the six positions (top or bottom, left, centre or right), the format (“1”, “1 / N”, “Page 1 of N” or a custom format), the first and last pages to number, then generate the numbered PDF. Nothing is sent: numbering is worked out in your browser.

Can I start numbering from a page other than the first?

Yes, the starting page is adjustable, which lets you exclude a cover page or table of contents from the count, for example.

Does numbering require uploading the file to a server?

No, the numbers are computed and inserted directly in your browser, with no document upload, and the tool is free.

Which positions can I choose for the page numbers?

Six positions: top or bottom, left, centre or right, with a margin from the edge set in millimetres. The “Facing pages” box mirrors even pages, for double-sided printing. If page 1 is a cover, also tick “First page = cover”: the alternation shifts by one page.

In a format like “Page 3 of 12”, what does the “12” refer to if I don’t number every page?

The total always reflects the whole document’s page count, not the number of pages actually numbered. If you start at page 5 of a 12-page PDF, the first numbered page will still show “of 12”.

Can this tool number several PDFs in sequence, like Bates numbering?

No, this tool processes one PDF at a time, with a simple format (number, fraction, or “Page X of N”). For continuous numbering across multiple files, with a prefix like ABC-000123, use the dedicated Bates Numbering tool.