How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF

February 17, 2026

You have a PDF that needs page numbers. It could be a report you compiled from multiple sources, a scanned document, or a manuscript draft. Whatever the reason, adding page numbers after the fact is something PDF editors charge money for and online tools require file uploads to do. There is a better way.

Why PDFs Often Lack Page Numbers

PDFs frequently end up without page numbers for a few common reasons. Scanned documents never had them to begin with. Merged files from different sources have conflicting or missing numbering. Exported presentations and spreadsheets skip page numbers by default. And sometimes a document was designed for screen reading where page numbers felt unnecessary, but now it needs to be printed or referenced in a meeting.

Regardless of the reason, going back to the original source file to add page numbers is not always possible. The source file no longer exists in many cases, or you do not have the software that created it. Adding page numbers directly to the PDF is the practical solution.

How to Add Page Numbers with ArmorPDF

ArmorPDF’s Add Page Numbers tool lets you insert page numbers into any PDF in a few clicks:

1. Open the Add Page Numbers tool in your browser.
2. Drop your PDF into the upload area or click to browse for it.
3. Choose the position for your page numbers: top or bottom, left, center, or right.
4. Set the starting number and format.
5. Click to apply the page numbers.
6. Download your numbered PDF.

Everything runs in your browser. Your PDF is processed on your own device without being uploaded anywhere.

Customization Options

Different documents call for different page number styles. A legal brief needs numbers in a different position than a photo book. ArmorPDF gives you control over the key settings.

You can place numbers at the top or bottom of the page. You can align them to the left, center, or right. You can set the starting page number, which is useful if your PDF is part of a larger document and needs to start at page 15 instead of page 1. These options cover the needs of most common use cases without overcomplicating the interface.

Common Use Cases

Students add page numbers to thesis drafts and compiled research papers. Office workers number reports and meeting packets before printing. Lawyers add page numbers to exhibit bundles for court filings. Publishers number proof copies. Anyone who prints double-sided documents knows that page numbers make it far easier to keep everything in order if pages get shuffled.

If you have already merged several PDFs together using a merge tool, adding page numbers is a natural next step to make the combined document navigable.

Number Your Pages in Seconds

Adding page numbers to a PDF does not require expensive software or uploading sensitive files to a third-party server. ArmorPDF’s Add Page Numbers tool handles it directly in your browser, with no signup and no cost. Drop your file in, choose your settings, and download the result.