How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF (Free, Any Device)
Insert page numbers into a PDF online for free — choose position, font, and starting number. No account, no software, works on any device.
Adding page numbers to a PDF after it's been created is a common need — presentations exported from PowerPoint, reports assembled from multiple sources, or scanned documents often lack page numbers. FixMyPDF's page number tool adds them instantly, free, in your browser.
How to Add Page Numbers in 3 Steps
Go to fixmypdf.in/tools/page-numbers. Upload your PDF. Choose position (top centre, bottom centre, bottom right, etc.), font size, starting number, and whether to skip the first page (common for cover pages). Click "Add Page Numbers" and download.
Choosing the Right Position
Bottom centre is the most universal placement — standard in academic papers, reports, and books. Bottom right or bottom left is common in business documents. Top centre or top right is used in some legal documents. Choose based on where your content leaves the most white space.
Skipping the Cover Page
Most documents have a cover or title page that shouldn't have a number, with numbering starting on page 2 (displayed as page 1). Enable "Skip first page" and set starting number to 1 — the tool will skip the cover and number the rest starting from 1.
Roman Numerals for Front Matter
Academic theses, long reports, and books use Roman numerals (i, ii, iii) for front matter (table of contents, foreword) and Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) for the main content. To achieve this, add page numbers twice: once with Roman numerals for the front matter range, then again for the main content range.
Custom Starting Number
If your PDF is a chapter or section of a larger document, set the starting number to continue from where the previous section ended. For example, if the previous chapter ended at page 45, set your starting number to 46.
Font and Size Options
Choose from standard fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, Helvetica) and sizes (8pt–14pt). Most documents use 9–10pt in a clean sans-serif font. The page number colour can be set to match your document's text colour or a neutral grey.
After Adding Page Numbers
Once numbered, your PDF looks more professional and is easier to reference. You can add a password to protect the numbered document, or compress it before sharing. Both tools are free.
Try Add Page Numbers Now — Free
Browser-based, private, and instant. No account or software required.
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