Add Page Numbers to PDF – Frequently Asked Questions

The Page Number PDF tool is a free online service that automatically adds page numbers to all pages in your PDF documents.

Key Features:

• Six Positions: Top-left, top-center, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-center, bottom-right
• Three Formats: Simple numbers (1, 2, 3), "Page X of Y", or "X/Y"
• Custom Start Page: Begin numbering from any page (skip cover pages)
• Adjustable Font Size: 6-72 points for different document types
• Helvetica Font: Professional, clean typography
• Automatic Application: Numbers added to all pages automatically

Technical Implementation: The tool uses FPDI to import each page from the PDF, then TCPDF adds text overlays with page numbers. Position is calculated based on page dimensions (top/bottom margin, left/center/right alignment). The format template determines the text (e.g., "Page 1 of 10"). Helvetica font is used for all page numbers. Font size can be set from 6 to 72 points. Page numbers are added to all pages starting from the specified start page.

The tool offers six position options to place page numbers exactly where you need them.

Position Options:

Top Positions

• Top-Left: Upper left corner of each page
  • Use Case: Academic papers, formal reports
• Top-Center: Centered at the top of each page
  • Use Case: Books, headers with page numbers
• Top-Right: Upper right corner of each page
  • Use Case: Professional documents, right-aligned numbering

Bottom Positions

• Bottom-Left: Lower left corner of each page
  • Use Case: Left-page numbering in two-page spreads
• Bottom-Center: Centered at the bottom of each page
  • Use Case: Most common position, books, reports, documents
• Bottom-Right: Lower right corner of each page
  • Use Case: Right-page numbering, business documents

Positioning Details:

• Margins: Page numbers placed with appropriate margins from edges
• Consistent Placement: Same position used on all numbered pages
• No Overlap: Positioned to avoid overlapping with document content

The tool offers three formatting options for how page numbers are displayed.

Format Options:

1. Simple Numbers (1, 2, 3...)

• Format: Just the page number
• Examples: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...
• Use Case: Clean, minimal look for most documents
• Best For: Reports, essays, standard documents

2. Page X of Y Format

• Format: "Page [current] of [total]"
• Examples: "Page 1 of 10", "Page 2 of 10", "Page 3 of 10"...
• Use Case: When readers need to know total page count
• Best For: Presentations, forms, multi-page documents

3. Fraction Format (X/Y)

• Format: "[current]/[total]"
• Examples: "1/10", "2/10", "3/10"...
• Use Case: Compact total page indicator
• Best For: Space-limited documents, modern designs

Format Application:

• Selected format applies to all pages in the document
• Total page count (Y) is calculated automatically
• Current page number (X) increments on each page

Yes! You can set a custom start page to begin numbering from any page in the document.

How Custom Start Page Works:

• Set Start Page: Enter the page number where numbering should begin (e.g., 3)
• Skip Initial Pages: Pages before the start page remain unnumbered
• Numbering Begins: Page numbers start appearing from your specified page onward
• Page Number Values: Numbers still reflect actual page position
  • Example: Start from page 3 → Page 3 shows "3", page 4 shows "4", etc.

Common Use Cases:

• Skip Cover Page: Start numbering from page 2 (page 1 = cover, unnumbered)
• Skip Front Matter: Start from page 5 after table of contents and preface
• Multi-Section Documents: Number only the main content, skip introductory pages
• Books: Traditional book numbering begins after title pages

Example Scenario:

• 10-page PDF with start page = 3:
  • Page 1: No number (cover)
  • Page 2: No number (table of contents)
  • Page 3: "3" or "Page 3 of 10"
  • Page 4: "4" or "Page 4 of 10"
  • ...and so on

Note: Total page count (in "Page X of Y" format) includes all pages, even unnumbered ones.

Font size can be set from 6 to 72 points to accommodate different document types.

Font Size Guide:

Small Sizes (6-10 points)

• Use Case: Discrete, unobtrusive page numbers
• Best For: Documents where page numbers should be minimal
• Example: 8pt for technical documents

Medium Sizes (11-14 points)

• Use Case: Standard document page numbers
• Best For: Reports, essays, business documents
• Default: 12pt (most common)
• Example: 12pt for reports, 14pt for better visibility

Large Sizes (16-24 points)

• Use Case: High visibility page numbers
• Best For: Presentations, printed materials
• Example: 18pt for presentation handouts

Extra Large Sizes (28-72 points)

• Use Case: Prominent page numbers
• Best For: Posters, large-format prints, design documents
• Example: 36pt for poster designs

Choosing Font Size:

• Consider Document Type: Formal documents use smaller sizes (10-12pt)
• Consider Audience: Larger sizes for accessibility
• Consider Page Size: Larger pages can accommodate larger numbers
• Preview: Test different sizes to find the right balance

Page numbers use Helvetica font, a professional sans-serif typeface.

Why Helvetica?

• Clean and Professional: Simple, modern appearance suitable for all document types
• High Readability: Easy to read at all sizes (6-72 points)
• Universal Standard: Widely used in professional documents and PDFs
• Sans-Serif: Clean lines without decorative strokes
• Neutral Design: Doesn't clash with document content

Helvetica Characteristics:

• Type: Sans-serif (no serifs/decorations)
• Weight: Medium weight (not too thin, not too bold)
• Style: Regular (not italic)
• Color: Black (default)

Font Embedding:

• Helvetica is embedded in the PDF file
• Ensures consistent display on all devices and PDF readers
• No dependency on fonts installed on viewer's computer

Compatibility:

• Works perfectly with all PDF readers
• Displays consistently on desktop, mobile, and web viewers
• Standard font in PDF specification

Yes! The Page Number tool is fully responsive and mobile-friendly.

Mobile Features:

• File Upload: Access device file picker to select PDFs
• Position Selection: Touch-friendly dropdown or buttons for position choice
• Format Selection: Easy selection of number format
• Size Adjustment: Slider or number input for font size
• Server-Side Processing: All numbering happens on server (no performance impact)
• Download: Numbered PDF downloads directly to device

Mobile Tips:

• Works on all modern smartphones and tablets (iOS, Android)
• Processing speed same as desktop (server-side)
• Preview settings before processing for desired result

No, we do not permanently store your PDF files.

How We Handle Your Files:

• Temporary Storage: Uploaded PDFs stored in /tmp folder only during processing
• Processing Only: Files accessed only to add page numbers
• Automatic Cleanup: All temporary files deleted after download
• Session Isolation: Each user's files isolated with unique identifiers
• No Database Storage: Files never saved to any database

Privacy Guarantee:

• We do not access or analyze file contents
• We do not permanently store documents
• All processing is temporary and secure

The output is a standard PDF file with page numbers embedded.

Output File Details:

• Filename: numbered_[timestamp].pdf
  • Example: numbered_20250116_163542.pdf
• PDF Version: PDF 1.7 or higher
• Page Numbers: Embedded as text overlays on each page
• Compatibility: Opens in all PDF readers

Content Preservation:

• All original content preserved (text, images, graphics)
• Page numbers added as overlay layer
• Original formatting maintained

The Page Number tool uses PDF libraries optimized for text overlay.

Backend Technologies:

• FPDI: Imports each page from the source PDF
• TCPDF: Adds text overlays with page numbers
  • Text() or writeHTMLCell() for rendering numbers
  • Position calculated based on page dimensions
• Helvetica Font: Clean, professional typography
• Position Calculations:
  • Top positions: Y = margin
  • Bottom positions: Y = page height - margin
  • Left: X = margin
  • Center: X = (page width / 2)
  • Right: X = page width - margin
• Format Templates:
  • Simple: $pageNumber
  • Page X of Y: "Page $pageNumber of $totalPages"
  • Fraction: "$pageNumber/$totalPages"
• Custom Start Page Logic: Loop begins from specified page
• Font Size: 6-72 points, adjustable

Processing Workflow:

1. User uploads PDF and selects position, format, start page, font size
2. Server imports all pages using FPDI
3. For each page starting from start page:
   • Calculate position coordinates
   • Format page number text
   • Add text overlay using TCPDF
4. Generate numbered PDF
5. Return for download