Can I start page numbering from page 2 (skip the cover page)?

Yes. Set 'Start numbering from page' to 2 (or any page). Pages before that are left blank; numbering restarts at 1 from your chosen page.

Can I customize the number format, e.g. for Bates numbering?

Yes. The format field accepts a template using {n} for the running number and {total} for the total numbered pages — for example 'CASE-{n}' for Bates-style legal exhibit numbering, or 'Page {n} of {total}' for standard pagination.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. Numbering is stamped in your browser using the pdf-lib library. You can confirm this by opening your browser's developer tools Network tab while processing a file — no upload request will appear.

Can I change the font size of the page numbers?

Yes, choose Small, Medium, or Large before processing.

Can I number password-protected PDFs?

Not currently. Remove the password first using a PDF reader that supports decryption, then number the unlocked file.

Add Page Numbers to PDF — Free

Runs in your browser. Choose position, start page, format, and font size.

Select PDF to number

Click or drag & drop a file — it stays on your device

Position

Font size

Start numbering from page

Use 2 to leave a cover page blank.

Number format

Use {n} and {total}. E.g. CASE-{n} for Bates-style numbering.

How the coordinates are calculated

We measure the text width at your chosen font size and position it precisely, without rasterizing the page.

Read the full guide

Merge PDF first More PDF guides

Local only

Processed in your browser. Verify it yourself in the Network tab.

No queue

No upload/download round trip.

Any modern browser

Desktop or mobile, Chrome/Firefox/Safari/Edge.

How this tool works

This runs entirely in your browser using pdf-lib. Your file is read into memory, each page gets a text stamp calculated from your chosen position, font size, start page, and format, and the result is rebuilt as a new PDF — no upload, no server. Open your browser's developer tools (F12) → Network tab while processing a file to see this yourself.

Skipping a cover page

Set "Start numbering from page" to 2 (or any page). Pages before it are left blank, and numbering restarts at 1 from your chosen page — useful for a title page or table of contents you don't want numbered.

Custom formats, including Bates-style numbering

The format field accepts {n} (the running number) and {total} (the total numbered pages). Type Page {n} of {total} for standard pagination, or a prefix like CASE-{n} or EXHIBIT-A-{n} for legal exhibit / Bates-style sequential numbering.

Good to know

Password-protected PDFs aren't supported yet — unlock the file first, then number it.
Numbers are drawn as vector text, not rasterized, so the rest of the page is unaffected.
Very large files depend on your device's available memory rather than any limit we impose.

Frequently asked questions

Can I start page numbering from page 2?

Yes — set "Start numbering from page" to 2. Earlier pages stay blank.

Can I use this for Bates numbering?

Yes, using the format field with a prefix, e.g. CASE-{n}.

Are my files uploaded anywhere?

No — check the Network tab yourself while processing a file.

Can I change the font size?

Yes, Small/Medium/Large are available above.

Can I number a password-protected PDF?

Not yet — remove the password first, then number the unlocked file.