How to add page numbers to a PDF for free (Roman numerals too)

Reports, theses and legal bundles all need numbered pages. Add page numbers stamps them onto an existing PDF without any upload.

Steps

1. Add your PDF.
2. Pick the Format: 1, 2, 3, Page 1, 1 / 10, Page 1 of 10, - 1 -, or Roman numerals (i, ii, iii or I, II, III).
3. Choose Font, Position (six places on the page), Start numbering at, size, distance from the edge and colour.
4. Download the numbered PDF.

Common situations

The first page is a cover and should not be numbered. Type 2- (or the real range) in Only these pages. Then set Start numbering at to 2 if you want page 2 to show “2”, or 1 if the second page should show “1”. The page ranges cheat sheet explains the syntax.

Front matter in Roman numerals, main text in numbers. Number the preface pages with the Roman format using their page range, run the tool again on the same result for the main pages with the normal format and a start number of 1. Because each run only touches the pages you list, the two styles coexist.

Printing on both sides. Choose a left or right position and set Left and right pages to Mirror. Even pages swap sides, so numbers sit on the outer edge.

Tips

• 10-12 pt text at 28 pt from the edge suits most documents. Increase the distance if your printer clips the edge.
• Merge everything first with Merge PDF, number last.
• Wrong numbers already in the file? Hide them with a cover strip before adding new ones.

Limits

The numbers are drawn on top of the page, so they will overlap anything already in that corner. Pick another position if the footer is busy.