Add Page Numbers
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What is Add Page Numbers?
Add Page Numbers stamps a sequential number onto every page of a PDF at a position you choose — bottom-right, bottom-center, bottom-left, top-right, top-center, or top-left. You control the starting number, the format (decimal, roman numerals, or letters), and where the number appears on the page.
The tool uses pdf-lib to draw the page number text at the specified coordinates on each page using the Helvetica font at 11pt size. The numbers are rendered as part of the page content stream, so they appear in both on-screen viewing and printed output. Each number is positioned with a 30-point pad from the page edge.
The text color is a dark gray (RGB 0.3, 0.3, 0.3) rather than pure black, giving the numbers a subtle appearance that doesn't overpower the existing content. The font embedding ensures the numbers render consistently across all PDF readers.
How to Use Add Page Numbers
- Drop a PDF file onto the upload zone, or click to browse and select it. The tool accepts any standard PDF regardless of page count.
- Choose a position for the page numbers. Options: bottom-right (default), bottom-center, bottom-left, top-right, top-center, or top-left. The position determines both the horizontal alignment and vertical placement — top positions place numbers 28 points from the top edge; bottom positions place them 18 points from the bottom.
- Set the starting number — defaults to 1. Use this to continue numbering from a previous document (e.g. start at 51 if the first document ended at page 50) or to match printed page numbers in a multi-part document.
- Select a format: decimal (1, 2, 3), uppercase roman (I, II, III), or lowercase roman (i, ii, iii). Roman numerals are conventional for front matter in academic and legal documents.
- Click Add Page Numbers. The tool iterates through every page, calculates the position based on your settings, formats the number string, measures its width using the embedded Helvetica font, and draws it at the computed coordinates.
- A download button appears with your file, named
numbered.pdf. The numbers are permanently part of the page content — they cannot be accidentally removed or hidden by the reader.
Why Use Add Page Numbers?
Documents intended for printing, review, or legal filing need page numbers so readers can reference specific locations. Many PDFs — especially those assembled from scans, exported without numbering, or created from multiple sources — lack them entirely.
Concatenated documents benefit too: if you merge chapters exported separately, the page count resets at each join. Adding sequential numbers across the full document restores a consistent reference scheme that matches the physical page order.
Academic papers, legal briefs, and corporate reports all require page numbers for proper citation and review. The numbered pages make it possible for reviewers, editors, and collaborators to reference specific locations without ambiguity.
Privacy & Security
Your files never leave your browser. Every step — reading, stamping numbers, and writing the output — happens on your own device. Nothing is uploaded to Racira's servers, no copies are stored in the cloud, and no file data is transmitted at any point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will page numbers overlap with existing content?
The numbers are placed near the page edges at standard margin positions — 30 points from the edge for horizontal placement, 28 points from the top or 18 points from the bottom vertically. If your PDF has content very close to the edges, there is a small chance of overlap. Review the output and use the Add Margin tool first if needed to create breathing room.
Can I skip numbering on the first page?
Not directly — the tool numbers every page. A workaround is to set the starting number to 0 so the first page shows "0", then use a different tool to remove that specific number. Alternatively, start numbering at 2 if you want page 1 to appear unnumbered in a printed context.
What format should I use for academic papers?
Decimal (1, 2, 3) is standard for most academic and professional documents. Use lowercase roman (i, ii, iii) for front matter like title pages, abstracts, and table of contents, then switch to decimal for the body. The tool can only apply one format per run, so process front matter and body separately if you need mixed formatting.
Are the numbers searchable or selectable?
Yes. Since the numbers are drawn as text in the page content stream, they are fully searchable in PDF readers and can be selected, copied, and highlighted like any other text on the page.