About PDF Page Numbering Tool
PDF Page Numbering adds customizable sequential numbers to PDF documents for professional document organization and navigation. Supporting flexible positioning (six positions: top/bottom corners and centers), multiple format styles (simple numbers, 'Page N', 'N of Total', 'Page N of Total'), and custom starting numbers, the tool enables precise control over page number appearance. Using pdf-lib's drawText method with Helvetica font embedding, all processing occurs client-side without server uploads.
This solution serves professionals preparing reports, students submitting assignments, legal teams organizing case materials, and anyone requiring numbered pages for printing, binding, or digital distribution. Whether adding numbers to scanned documents missing pagination, creating multi-section reports with custom numbering, or preparing manuscripts for review, the tool delivers instant numbered PDFs without Adobe Acrobat subscriptions.
Technical Capabilities
- â–¸Six Position Options: Top-left, top-center, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-center, bottom-right. Live preview shows exact placement before processing.
- â–¸Four Number Formats: Simple numbers (1, 2, 3), labeled (Page 1, Page 2), fractional (1 of 10, 2 of 10), or full format (Page 1 of 10). Format selection persists across all pages.
- â–¸Custom Starting Numbers: Begin numbering from any integer (default 1). Useful for multi-part documents where section starts at page 50, or appendices starting at page A-1.
- â–¸Font Size Control: Small (10pt), Medium (12pt), or Large (14pt). Size selection balances visibility with page space conservation based on content density.
- â–¸Helvetica Font Embedding: pdf-lib embeds Helvetica standard font for universal compatibility. Numbers render consistently across all PDF viewers (Adobe, browsers, mobile apps).
- â–¸Searchable Text Numbers: Numbers added as text (not images). Fully searchable, selectable, and accessible to screen readers. Maintains PDF/A compliance when applicable.
- â–¸Live Preview: Visual preview shows page number appearance with current settings. Updates in real-time as position, format, or size changes for confident customization.
- ▸Client-Side Processing: All number embedding occurs in browser JavaScript. Zero network transmission of PDF content—complete privacy for confidential document numbering.
Professional Use Cases
Report and Document Preparation
Add page numbers to business reports, academic papers, and technical documentation before printing or binding. Essential for professional presentation and easy reference during meetings.
Scanned Document Enhancement
Add missing page numbers to scanned books, historical documents, or legacy files where original pagination was lost during digitization process.
Multi-Section Document Assembly
Number different sections with custom starting points. Table of contents pages start at i, ii, iii while main content starts at 1, matching traditional book formatting.
Legal Document Organization
Number legal briefs, court filings, and exhibit binders. Mandatory in many jurisdictions for document submission. 'Page N of Total' format helps verify complete submission.
Academic Submission Compliance
Meet university requirements for thesis, dissertation, and assignment submissions requiring specific page numbering formats and positions per style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago).
Manuscript and Book Preparation
Prepare manuscripts for peer review or publisher submission. Reviewers reference specific pages in feedback. Remove numbers later if publisher applies custom pagination.