How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities.

This article has been viewed 91,325 times.

This wikiHow will teach you how to add page numbers to a PDF using Adobe Acrobat and a web browser. You have to either have a subscription to Adobe DC or have purchased Adobe 2020 to be able to use the program, but you can use the web browser Smallpdf application for free.

Method 1 of 2:

Using Adobe

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

If you want to try Adobe Acrobat, you can read more about how to get it in How to Use Adobe Acrobat.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Open the PDF to which you want to add page numbers. You can either click File > Open or right-click the file in your file manager and select Open With > Adobe Acrobat.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

. This arrow will be on the right side of the app window and will display a menu.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

The menu options in the tools panel on the right side of the window will change and a new menu will appear along the top of your document.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

An "Add Header & Footer" window will pop up.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Adjust the header margin and font values as necessary. You'll see a preview of the Header in the space below the header, "Preview."

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Click OK . The page numbers will display on each page as you set up on the "Add Header & Footer" window. [1] X Research source

Advertisement Method 2 of 2:

Using Smallpdf on Web Browser

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Without an account, you can use Smallpdf for 2 tasks. If you want to do more with Smallpdf, create an account with a 14-day free trial.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Upload your PDF. Click Choose File or drop a PDF into the box. When you click Choose File, your file manager will open and you'll be able to select your PDF to upload.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Select a location to add numbers and click Number Pages . You'll see to the right of your upload an image of your PDF. Click to add a checkmark to a circle to add your numbers to the file in that area.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Click Download and save your edited PDF. It's on the right side of your PDF preview. If you don't like the numbering, you can click Start over.

Tips

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Please provide your name and last initial Thanks for submitting a tip for review!