How to add page numbers
- Add one or more PDFs; each is numbered separately.
- Set the format.
{n}is the page number and{total}is the number of numbered pages: "Page {n} of {total}" gives "Page 3 of 12". - Choose the position (bottom centre is conventional for reports, bottom right for legal bundles), size, font and colour.
- Set the first number, and tick Skip the first page for a cover.
- Click Add page numbers and download.
Formats that work
{n}: just the number, the cleanest choice.Page {n} of {total}: makes missing pages obvious, which helps with submissions and contracts.{n} / {total}: compact.Annexure A – page {n}: for exhibits and annexures in legal and visa bundles.
Numbering bundles and annexures
Evidence bundles for visa applications, tribunals and court are easier to work with when every page has a unique number that matches the index. A common approach: merge everything into one PDF in the order of the index, then number every page "Page {n} of {total}" at the bottom right. If annexures each need their own numbering, number each annexure file separately before merging, using a prefix in the format such as "Annexure B – {n}".
If you are preparing documents for a court or tribunal, check its practice note: many specify where page numbers go and whether the cover is numbered.
Where the numbers go
Numbers are drawn in the page margin, 28 points (about 10 mm) from the edges, at the size you set. On each page the position is calculated from that page's own size, so a document mixing A4 and landscape pages gets numbers in the right place on both. The numbers are drawn into the page content, so they print and appear in every viewer, and they are real text, so they can be searched.
Fonts
The fonts offered are the standard PDF fonts, Helvetica, Times and Courier, which every viewer displays identically without embedding. Helvetica is neutral for business documents; Times suits formal and legal documents; Courier matches typewriter-style forms.
Tips
- Number after merging and reordering, not before, so the numbers run in sequence.
- If a page already has a printed number, choose a different corner, or cover the old number with the new one by choosing the same position and a slightly larger size.
- For long documents with sections, consider splitting into sections and numbering each from 1.
Saved settings, a PDF Pro feature, keep your house style (format, position, font, size) in this browser, so every bundle you prepare is numbered identically.
Starting numbers and roman numerals
Front matter, such as a cover, contents and a preface, is traditionally unnumbered or numbered in roman numerals, with arabic page 1 starting at the main text. This tool numbers in arabic numerals. For the traditional layout, split off the front matter, number the main text starting at 1, and merge them back. If you want a cover with no number, tick Skip the first page.
Numbering several files consistently
Add several PDFs and each is numbered separately with the same settings. That suits annexures that each start at 1. For one continuous sequence across files, merge them first and then number the merged document.
Checking the result
Open the numbered file and check the first, a middle and the last page. Make sure the number does not overlap content near the edge on any page, especially landscape pages and full-bleed images. If it does, choose another position or a smaller size and run it again on the original file.
Bates numbering
Legal discovery often uses Bates numbers, a prefix and a fixed-width sequence such as ABC000123 that runs across every page of a production. You can approximate it here with a format like ABC00{n} and a start number, but true Bates numbering pads every number to a fixed width (000001, 000010, 000100). If your matter requires strict Bates format, use legal software that supports it.
Position on mixed page sizes
Each page's number is placed using that page's own width and height, so a document mixing A4 portrait, A4 landscape and Letter pages gets numbers in the same relative place on each. The margin from the edge is fixed at about 10 mm, which keeps numbers clear of most printers' unprintable edge.
Privacy: the file stays on your device
Online PDF services upload your document to their servers, process it there and keep it for a while. This tool does the work in your browser. The file is read into the page's memory, processed by open-source libraries (pdf-lib for editing and pdf.js for rendering) in a background worker, and the result is offered back as a download. Nothing is sent anywhere, there is no account, and closing the tab discards everything. You can check it: open your browser's developer tools, watch the Network tab while you run the tool, and you will see no upload. After the page has loaded once it also works offline.