Add page numbers in PDF

How page numbering works

Add Page Numbers in PDF lets you place visible, consistent page numbers across your PDF. The tool runs locally in your browser, so your file stays on your device from start to finish. Choose the numbering style, starting number, position, font, size, color, and preview zoom, then save a new numbered PDF when everything looks right.

When to use this tool

Page numbering is useful when a document needs a clear reading order, easier referencing, or a cleaner print-ready layout. It is especially helpful for reports, contracts, manuals, presentations, handouts, and multi-page PDFs prepared for printing or sharing.

• Add visible page numbers before printing or sending a PDF to someone else.
• Standardize PDFs that were exported without numbering.
• Start numbering from a custom value when the PDF is part of a larger document.
• Use Roman numerals or alphabetic styles for front matter, appendices, or special sections.
• Place page numbers where they fit the layout of your document best.

Preparing your document before numbering?
Fix the page order with a PDF page reordering tool, remove empty sheets using a blank-page removal tool for PDFs, or reduce file size afterward with a PDF compression tool.

Step-by-step: add page numbers to a PDF

Adding page numbers takes just a few steps:

• Add your PDF. Drag and drop a file into the box above, or click to choose from your device.
• Choose the numbering style. Pick decimal, Roman numerals, alphabetic formats, or zero-padded numbers.
• Set the position and font. Choose where the numbers should appear, then adjust font, size, margin, color, and preview zoom.
• Preview the style. Use the real-page preview to confirm placement before exporting.
• Add page numbers. Click Add page numbers and save the numbered PDF.

Numbering styles and placement

This tool gives you flexible page numbering options so you can match the document style instead of forcing one generic format.

• Numbering styles: 1, 2, 3; 01, 02, 03; I, II, III; i, ii, iii; A, B, C; a, b, c.
• Positions: top left, top center, top right, bottom left, bottom center, and bottom right.
• Fonts: Helvetica, Times Roman, and Courier for consistent PDF-safe output.
• Colors: black by default, or white when the page background is dark.
• Start number: begin numbering from 1, 3, 10, or another value you need.
• Margin from edge: move the number closer to or farther from the page edge.

The page numbers are added as visible content on the pages, so the exported PDF is ready to save, share, or print.

Previewing on real pages

Instead of showing a generic mockup, this tool previews page numbers on an actual rendered page from your PDF. That makes it easier to check whether the placement works well with headers, footers, page margins, dark backgrounds, or scanned pages before you export.

• Use Previous and Next to inspect different pages in the document.
• Use Fit width to fill the preview area like a document viewer.
• Scroll inside the preview to inspect top and bottom placement more closely.
• Switch between zoom levels such as 75%, 100%, 125%, 150%, or 200% when you want a closer look.
• Preview several pages if your PDF uses different layouts across the document.

Privacy, limits and how this tool treats your files

FileYoga is built around a simple rule: your files stay with you. Page numbering runs locally in your browser, so your PDFs are never uploaded to FileYoga servers.

If you are working with private documents, this setup means you keep control from start to finish.

Tips for best results

• Use bottom center for the most familiar, widely readable placement.
• Choose Roman numerals for front matter, introductory sections, or formal layouts.
• Use a larger font size if the PDF will be printed or read on paper.
• Preview several pages before exporting, not just the first page.
• Switch to white if your PDF has dark headers, dark footers, or dark page backgrounds.
• Increase the edge margin if the number feels too close to the page boundary.
• Use Fit width first, then zoom in further when you need to inspect details more closely.

Troubleshooting

• Add page numbers does nothing: add one PDF file first and wait for the preview to load.
• The PDF does not load: the file may be damaged, encrypted, or unusually complex. Re-save it in a desktop PDF app and try again.
• Numbers look too close to the edge: increase the edge margin.
• Numbers look too small: switch the font size to Large or Extra large.
• White numbers are hard to see: the page background may be too light, so switch back to black.
• The preview looks too zoomed in or too small: change the preview zoom setting.
• The tool is slow or freezes: close heavy browser tabs or try again with a smaller PDF.
• Password-protected PDF fails to open: unlock the PDF first, then add page numbers.

Frequently asked questions