How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF — Free, Step by Step (2026)

You merged 5 PDFs into one document and now need page numbers on every page. Or you are submitting a legal filing that requires numbered pages. Here is how to add page numbers to any PDF — free, no Adobe Acrobat, no signup.

Step-by-Step: Add Page Numbers

1. Open the page numbering tool
2. Drop your PDF
3. Configure:
   • Position: Bottom-center (standard), bottom-right (legal), top-center (reports)
   • Format: Plain (1, 2, 3), Page prefix (Page 1), or Page X of N
   • Font size: 10-12pt for body text-sized numbers, 8pt for subtle
   • Start from page: Skip cover pages (start from page 2, 3, etc.)
4. Download your numbered PDF

Page Number Format Options

Format	Example	Best For
Plain numbers	1, 2, 3, 4...	Simple documents, reports
Page prefix	Page 1, Page 2, Page 3...	Professional documents, manuals
Page X of N	Page 1 of 20, Page 2 of 20...	Legal filings, contracts, reports requiring total count

Page Number vs Bates Number

	Page Numbers	Bates Numbers
Format	1, 2, 3 or Page 1 of N	PREFIX-000001, PREFIX-000002
Purpose	General document pagination	Legal document identification
Unique across documents?	No — each doc starts at 1	Yes — sequential across all docs in a case
Required by courts?	Sometimes	Often required for litigation
Tool	Page Numbers tool	Bates Numbering tool

For legal filings requiring Bates stamps, use the Bates Numbering tool instead.

Common Workflows

• Merge then number: Merge PDFs → add page numbers → download
• Split, reorder, number: Extract pages → reorder → merge → number
• Legal filing prep: Merge exhibits → number pages or Bates stamp → CONFIDENTIAL stamp

All PDF Tools

• Page Numbers — add to every page
• Bates Numbering — legal numbering
• Add Text — type on any page
• Merge PDF — combine files
• Split PDF — extract pages
• Reorder Pages — drag and drop
• Compress PDF — reduce size
• Legal Stamp — CONFIDENTIAL, DRAFT
• Watermark — text watermarks