How do I add page numbers to my PDF?

Upload your PDF, choose the position (header/footer, left/center/right), select a number format, and click 'Add Page Numbers' to download your numbered PDF.

Can I skip the first page when adding page numbers?

Yes! Check the 'Skip first page' option. You can also skip specific pages by entering page numbers like '2, 5, 8-10'.

What page number formats are available?

We offer formats like '1, 2, 3', 'Page 1 of 10', '- 1 -', Chinese format '第1页', and more. You can also create a custom format using {n} for page number and {total} for total pages.

Is my PDF safe when adding page numbers?

100% safe. All processing happens locally in your browser using pdf-lib. We don't upload, store, or have access to your files.

Add Page Numbers to PDF Online Free

About PDF Page Numbering Tool

Add page numbers to PDF files online free with FreeToolBox — automatically insert page numbers into any position (header or footer, left, center, or right) on every page of your PDF without any software installation. Page numbers are essential for professional documents like reports, theses, manuals, and legal contracts. Customize the font size, starting number, and position, then embed the numbers directly into your PDF using PDF-lib.

All processing happens in your browser — your PDF is never uploaded to any server. The output has clean, properly formatted page numbers and no watermarks. Free to use, no account required.

Best use cases for adding page numbers to PDFs

Reports, proposals, and handoff documents — Add page references so reviewers can comment on exact pages instead of guessing.
Assignments, theses, and printable study packs — Number pages before submission or binding so the document looks complete and easy to cite.
Legal, policy, and compliance files — Make longer PDFs easier to review, quote, and cross-reference during approval or audit workflows.
Manuals, guides, and customer-facing PDFs — Improve navigation in onboarding docs, product instructions, and exported help files.

When should you use PDF Page Numbers vs other PDF tools?

Use PDF Page Numbers when your document is finalized but still needs navigation and reference polish. If you also need to add ownership or review marks, combine it with PDF Watermark. If the final document is too large after editing, continue with PDF Compress. If you need to renumber only selected sections, split them first with PDF Split.

Compared with upload-first tools like Smallpdf or iLovePDF, FreeToolBox adds page numbers locally in your browser. That matters when the file contains legal material, internal reports, classroom work, or sensitive business documents you should not upload unless you really have to.

Continue your PDF workflow: visit the PDF Tools hub for page numbering, watermarking, splitting, compressing, and conversion tasks in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose where on the page the numbers appear?

Yes. Choose header or footer position, and left, center, or right alignment. The number is rendered directly on the page content using a standard font.

Can I start numbering from a number other than 1?

Yes. Set a custom starting page number if you're combining this with other documents or if your document starts mid-series.

Can I skip numbering the first page (cover page)?

Yes. You can set the tool to start numbering from page 2 onwards, leaving the cover page unnumbered.

Is my PDF uploaded to a server?

No. PDF-lib runs entirely in your browser. Your document stays on your device and is never transmitted anywhere.

Add Page Numbers to PDF - Custom Format

Page Numbers Added!

Why Use Our PDF Page Numbering Tool?

Frequently Asked Questions

Related PDF Tools

About PDF Page Numbering Tool

Best use cases for adding page numbers to PDFs

When should you use PDF Page Numbers vs other PDF tools?

Frequently Asked Questions