PDF Page Numberer
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Browse or drop one PDF file to inspect pages before stamping.
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Examples: all, odd, even, 1-3, 5, 8-.
Choose the header or footer location for the stamp.
Keep {n} in the format so every stamped page has a number.
Use 1 for normal page numbering, or a higher number when continuing a combined packet.
first label
Arabic is best for most documents; Roman and letter styles are useful for front matter.
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Uses standard PDF fonts that do not require uploading a font file.
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Choose a high-contrast color for print readability.
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Distance from the page edge when using left or right positions.
pt
Distance from the top or bottom edge of the page.
pt
Leave blank to append -numbered to the source filename.
When left or right is selected, odd pages stamp on the outside right and even pages on the outside left.
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Field Value Copy
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Setting Value Copy
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PDF page Stamp text Position X Y Page box Copy
Load a PDF to preview page placements.
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Tags: File Tools, Productivity
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Page numbers turn a PDF from a loose stack of pages into a document that can be cited, reviewed, printed, and assembled with less confusion. They matter most when a packet has front matter, exhibits, appendix sections, or pages that will be discussed by page reference in email, meetings, court bundles, school packets, or internal reviews.

Numbering a PDF is not just a matter of placing a digit somewhere near the bottom edge. A useful stamp has to answer which source pages should receive numbers, which number appears first, whether the printed page count should match the source page count or only the selected pages, and whether the mark will stay readable after printing, binding, or cropping.

PDF page showing header, footer, and margin positions for page-number stamps

Good page numbering also protects against two common mistakes. The first is numbering the wrong pages, such as adding numbers to a cover sheet that should stay unnumbered. The second is treating a visible number as proof that the PDF is ready to send. Rotated pages, tight margins, low contrast, or a missing placeholder can still leave the final packet awkward or hard to read.

Technical Details:

PDF pages use a page box measured in points. A point is a print-oriented unit, and the page-number mark is positioned against each page's own width and height rather than against a single fixed canvas. That matters when a document mixes letter pages, landscape exhibits, scanned forms, or pages that have been rotated before numbering.

A page-number stamp has three separate decisions: selection, label text, and placement. Selection decides which source pages are touched. Label text decides what the reader sees, including the starting number and page-count placeholders. Placement turns the chosen header or footer position into an x/y coordinate inside the page box, then clamps the mark inside the page bounds so it does not begin outside the page.

The page range expression supports named selections and comma-separated page references. Invalid or out-of-range tokens are ignored with warnings, so a final review should check both the selected page count and the warning messages before relying on the output.

Range entry How it is interpreted Review point
all or blank Every source page from page 1 through the final page is selected. Use when the visible PDF page count should match the source page count.
odd or even Only odd-numbered or even-numbered source pages are selected. Useful for staged review, but easy to misread in duplex packets.
2-8 A closed range selects page 2 through page 8, inclusive. Ranges that extend past the document are clipped to the final page.
4- An open-ended range selects page 4 through the final source page. Good for skipping cover sheets or front matter.
5 A single page number selects that one source page. Out-of-range pages are ignored and reported as warnings.

Label text is built from a format string. The current label value comes from the start number plus the selected-page sequence, not necessarily from the original PDF page number. That makes it possible to stamp source page 4 as "Page 1" when the first three pages are a cover, table of contents, or other unnumbered material.

Token Meaning Example with pages 4-10 selected
{n} The current stamped number, starting from the chosen start number. Source page 4 can display 1.
{total} The count of selected pages, formatted with the same number style. Seven selected pages can display 7.
{page} The original source PDF page number. Source page 4 displays 4.
{docTotal} The total page count of the loaded source PDF. A 12-page PDF displays 12.

The number style changes the visible value but not the page selection. Arabic numbering is the normal choice for body pages. Padded numbering uses enough digits for the final selected label. Roman and letter styles are useful for front matter or appendix-like material, especially when the body pages use a separate count.

Rule Behavior Why it matters
Position Bottom and top positions can be left, center, or right. The choice determines whether horizontal margin, centering, or right-edge text width controls the x position.
Facing-page mirror When a left or right position is selected, odd source pages resolve to the outside right and even source pages resolve to the outside left. Booklet-style packets can keep page numbers near the outer edge.
Font size Values are clamped from 8 pt to 24 pt. Very small labels are hard to read, while oversized labels can crowd the page content.
Margins Horizontal and vertical margins are clamped from 12 pt to 144 pt. The stamp stays inside the page box and away from common trim or binding edges.
Opacity Opacity is clamped from 25 percent to 100 percent. Subtle labels can be useful, but formal page numbers usually need high contrast.

Everyday Use & Decision Guide:

Start with the source PDF and the Pages to number field. Use all for a complete packet, or use an open range such as 4- when cover pages should stay unnumbered. After the PDF loads, compare Source pages, Selected page count, and any warning messages before stamping.

The default format, Page {n} of {total}, is strongest when the numbered section stands on its own. Use {page} or {docTotal} only when readers need to connect the visible stamp back to the original PDF page count. If the number format does not include {n}, stamping is blocked because every stamped page needs a changing label.

For ordinary review packets, bottom center, Arabic numbers, 10 pt text, 100 percent opacity, and default margins are a sensible first pass. Use top positions when the footer area already contains document control text. Turn on Mirror facing pages when a left or right footer should sit on the outside edge of a duplex or booklet-style document.

  • Check Numbering Plan when the count, start value, style, or margin choices need review before rebuilding.
  • Check Page Placement when mixed page sizes, rotated pages, or booklet margins could move the stamp into existing content.
  • Use the output table's Processing location row when privacy review matters; selected PDFs are read in the browser and no upload request is made by this tool.
  • Download the rebuilt PDF only after Status changes to Numbered PDF generated and the page list matches the intended range.

A visible stamp does not prove that the PDF is publication-ready. Open the downloaded file, scan the first numbered page, the last numbered page, and at least one page near a range boundary. If any page was reported as rotated, verify the stamp visually before sending the packet forward.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Use the source file, range, label, placement, and result tabs as a short review path.

  1. Choose Source PDF with Browse PDF or drop a file into the upload area. The summary should change from Choose a PDF to a selected-page count.
  2. Set Pages to number. Use entries such as all, odd, even, 1-3, 5, or 8-. If an entry is invalid, a warning reports the ignored token or clipped range.
  3. Choose Position, Number format, Start number, and Number style. Keep {n} in the format so the action button can run.
  4. Open Advanced if you need a different font, size, color, opacity, horizontal margin, vertical margin, output filename, or facing-page mirror setting.
  5. Review Numbering Plan and Page Placement. The placement table should show each selected PDF page, stamp text, resolved position, x/y coordinates, and page box.
  6. Click Add page numbers. If the PDF is larger than 75 MB, has more than 500 pages, has no selected pages, or lacks a usable number format, fix the displayed message and run again.
  7. When Status reads Numbered PDF generated, use Download PDF and open the result for a visual spot check.

The safest handoff is a downloaded PDF whose displayed page range, output filename, file size, and placement rows all match the intended document section.

Interpreting Results:

Pages stamped is the main result to trust first. It lists the actual source page numbers selected by the range parser. A count that looks right can still be wrong if it starts on the wrong source page, so compare the first and last entries to the document section you meant to number.

Page Placement is the strongest verification surface before download. It shows the exact stamp text and resolved position for each selected page. For mixed page sizes, check the x/y coordinates and page box values near the pages that change size or orientation.

  • Output ready means the browser created a new PDF, not that every stamp is visually clear.
  • Ignored invalid range means at least one range token did not apply; correct the range before trusting the page list.
  • Rotated page(s) detected means placement may need a manual visual check even if the table coordinates look valid.
  • Processing location should read that the work stayed in the browser when privacy review is part of the handoff.

Worked Examples:

A 28-page policy packet has a cover sheet and table of contents on pages 1 through 3. Entering 4-, keeping the start number at 1, and using Page {n} of {total} stamps source page 4 as Page 1 of 25. Pages stamped should begin with 4, and Selected page count should read 25.

A 12-page appendix needs Roman numerals in the footer before it is combined with a main report. Selecting all, choosing lower-case Roman numbers, and leaving the start number at 1 produces labels such as Page i of xii. The Numbering Plan should show the Roman style and the source page count as 12 before the PDF is downloaded.

A booklet proof uses bottom-right numbers on odd pages and bottom-left numbers on even pages. Choose Bottom right, turn on Mirror facing pages, and inspect Page Placement. The first selected odd page should resolve to bottom right, while the next selected even page should resolve to bottom left.

A reviewer enters 1-4, 99, notes for a 20-page PDF. The selected pages still include 1 through 4, but warnings report page 99 and the text token as ignored. The corrective path is to remove the bad entries, confirm Pages stamped shows only the intended pages, and run Add page numbers again.

FAQ:

Can I skip the cover page?

Yes. Use a range such as 2- to start numbering on source page 2, or 4- when several front-matter pages should stay unnumbered. The first selected page receives the Start number.

Why is the Add page numbers button disabled?

The action needs a loaded PDF, at least one selected page, no more than 500 source pages, a ready PDF writing component, and a Number format that includes {n}.

What is the difference between {total} and {docTotal}?

{total} is the number of selected pages that will receive stamps. {docTotal} is the total page count of the source PDF, even when only part of the document is numbered.

Does the PDF leave my browser?

The selected PDF is read and rewritten in the browser. The result table reports Processing location as browser-only processing with no upload request made by this tool.

What should I check before sending the numbered PDF?

Check Pages stamped, scan Page Placement, open the downloaded PDF, and visually inspect the first stamped page, last stamped page, and any rotated or mixed-size pages.

Glossary:

Page box
The width and height area used to place the stamp on each PDF page.
Point
A print measurement unit used by PDF page coordinates and text size.
Source page
The original one-based page number in the loaded PDF.
Selected page
A source page matched by the page range and scheduled to receive a stamp.
Facing-page mirror
A placement option that alternates left and right footer or header sides for booklet-style pages.

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