How to number PDF pages
Numbering the pages of a PDF means adding the number of each page to the bottom of the document, in "page / total" format (for example, 3 / 12). On BestPDFInTheWorld it takes four steps: load the file, choose the position (centre, right or left), number it and download the result. Everything runs in your browser, the file never leaves your computer, and numbering always starts at page 1, counting the cover. This tool is part of the Premium subscription, EUR 1.99 a month, which removes the limits on every tool and adds OCR. Sign PDF opens on the free plan, with one signature a day.
Verified 2026-08-12
- Four steps, nothing to install: choose the file, pick the position, number, download.
- The number appears in "page / total" format (3 / 12) at the bottom of every page, centred, right or left.
- Your file never leaves the browser: the number is written directly onto the PDF on your computer, with nothing sent to any server.
- No uploads: all processing runs in the browser, and the tool keeps working offline once the page has loaded.
- This tool is part of the Premium subscription, EUR 1.99 a month, which removes the limits on every tool and adds OCR. Sign PDF opens on the free plan, with one signature a day.
How to number the pages, step by step
Numbering a PDF takes under a minute and requires nothing to install:
- Open the Number pages tool.
- Load the document you want to number. It stays on your computer.
- Choose the position of the number: centre, right or left, always at the bottom of the page.
- Press number and download the PDF, ready to print or send.
The "page / total" number is added to every page at once. Nothing to install, no account and no upload wait.
How the numbering works: format, position and limits
Every page receives a number in "page / total" format (for example, 3 / 12), in dark grey and at a fixed font size. The only thing you can adjust is the horizontal position, centre, right or left, always at the bottom of the sheet; there is no field to change the colour, size or typeface.
Numbering always starts at page 1 and counts the cover as the first page. If the document already has printed numbers in the content, the result shows both, side by side, depending on the position you chose, see the tips below for these cases.
Tips for numbering PDF pages
- It always starts at 1, cover included. There is no configurable start number and no way to skip the cover. If you need to continue an external numbering scheme (for example, exhibit 47 of a larger case file) or to leave the cover unnumbered, handle that part before or after using the tool.
- Check whether the PDF already has printed numbers. The tool always adds a new number on top of the page, without checking whether one is already printed in the content. If the document has its own numbering, the final result shows both, side by side.
- It works with scanned PDFs. The number is added on top of the page as it is, whether it is searchable text or a scanned image.
- It works offline. Once the page has loaded once, you can number PDFs with the network off, the work is all done by your processor.
- Finish the document with the neighbouring tools. After numbering, you can sign the PDF, stamp a diagonal text across all pages with Watermark, or write one line at the top and another at the bottom of every page with Header and footer.
Is numbering PDF pages free? What are the limits?
No. This tool is part of the Premium subscription, EUR 1.99 a month, which removes the limits on every tool and adds OCR. Sign PDF opens on the free plan, with one signature a day.
| Plan | What it allows |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Only Sign PDF opens without paying, with one signature a day and files up to 10 MB. |
| Premium (EUR 1.99/month) | This tool is part of the subscription: no limits anywhere, plus OCR and larger batches. |
Questions about numbering pages.
What does the page number look like?
It always appears in "page / total" format (for example, 5 / 20), in dark grey, at the bottom of the page. The size and typeface are fixed: only the position (centre, right or left) is adjustable.
Can I choose the colour or size of the number?
No. The number always comes out in the same font size and the same dark grey colour; the only thing you can adjust is the horizontal position, left, centre or right. There is no field to change the colour, size or typeface used.
Does the numbering have to start at 1?
Yes, and it counts the cover as the first page. There is no configurable start number and no way to skip the cover. If you need to continue an external numbering scheme or leave the cover unnumbered, handle that part separately, before or after using the tool.
Can I number only some pages of the document?
No. Numbering applies to the whole document at once. If you want to exclude pages before numbering, use the Delete pages tool first.
Does it work with scanned PDFs?
Yes. The number is added on top of the page as it is, whether it is searchable text or a scanned image.
If the PDF already has printed numbers, do I end up with two?
Yes. The tool always adds a new number on top of the page, without checking whether one is already printed in the original content. If the document already has its own numbering, the final result shows both, side by side, depending on the position you chose.
Is numbering pages free?
No. This tool is part of the Premium subscription, EUR 1.99 a month, which removes the limits on every tool and adds OCR. Sign PDF opens on the free plan, with one signature a day.
Keep reading
How to add a watermark to a PDF
Step by step to stamp a text diagonally across every page, without sending the file to servers and without losing sight of your document.
How to add a header and footer to a PDF
Step by step to write one line at the top and another at the bottom of the pages you choose, with automatic page numbers and nothing uploaded anywhere.
How to add text to a PDF
Step by step to write a line at an exact spot in the PDF, with the size, colour and angle you choose, without uploading anything.
A PDF still unnumbered?
Number it now.
Open the tool and try it. Nothing to install, nothing sent outside your computer.
Open Number pages