Add Page Numbers to PDF · Page X of Y, Bates
Number the pages of one PDF or a whole stack. Any format, skip the cover, start from any number, mirror for double-sided printing, and Bates numbers that continue across files.
How to add page numbers to a PDF
- Drop one or more PDFs onto the box above.
- Pick a format, where the numbers go and from which page they start. The preview shows the real result; use the arrows to check other pages.
- Click Add page numbers and save the PDF, or the ZIP when you numbered several files.
Skipping the cover and front matter
Set how many pages to skip and whether they still count. With "skipped pages still count" the first numbered page of a document with a cover shows 2; without it, it shows 1. The PDF's own page labels are updated too, so the page box in Acrobat, Preview and browsers shows the same numbers as the pages, with roman numerals for the skipped front pages.
Bates numbering across documents
Choose Bates, set a prefix and the number of digits, and drop all documents in order. Numbering continues from one file to the next, every file is saved with its numbers, and the ZIP contains a CSV with each file's first and last number for your production log.
Double-sided printing and old numbers
"Mirror for double-sided printing" puts numbers on the outside corner: right on odd pages, left on even pages, as in a printed book. "Cover old numbers" places a small patch in the page colour under each new number, which hides an existing number in the same spot after merging documents. It covers rather than removes, so pick the page colour on coloured backgrounds.
Works with tricky PDFs
Rotated and landscape pages, crop boxes, mixed page sizes and PDFs with editing restrictions are handled; numbers always sit upright in the corner you chose. Signed PDFs get a warning, because any change invalidates a digital signature. Numbers are marked as page decoration, so screen readers skip them.
Frequently asked questions
How do I number a PDF but skip the cover page?
Set "skip first pages" to 1 and choose whether the cover still counts.
Can I replace existing page numbers?
Turn on "cover old numbers" and place the new numbers in the same spot. Check the preview, since the patch hides anything else in that spot too.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The numbers are added in your browser tab and nothing is sent anywhere.