Merge a few documents together, print a contract, or export slides, and you often end up with a long PDF and no page numbers — awkward the moment someone says "see page 14." Word processors number pages automatically, but a finished PDF needs a PDF tool, and Acrobat's costs ~$20 a month. Here's the free, in-browser way.
Step-by-step: number every page
- Open the free Page Numbers tool and switch to the Page numbers tab.
- Drop in your PDF — page 1 shows a live preview.
- Choose a position (bottom center is the standard; bottom right for reports, top right for reference documents).
- Choose a format: plain numbers, "Page 1", or "1 of 20" — the last one is helpful for anything that might be printed and dropped.
- Tick "Skip the first page" if your document has a cover.
- Click Download numbered PDF — numbers are drawn into each page, visible in every viewer and in print.
Ready to try it? It's free — no sign-up, no credit card, no watermark, and your file never leaves your device.
Add page numbers now →Number before or after merging?
After. If you number individual documents and then merge them, every section restarts at 1. Combine everything first, put pages in their final order with the Organize tool if needed, then add numbers last so they run continuously.
Frequently asked
Can numbering start at a page other than 1?
You can skip the cover so numbering begins on page 2. The count itself starts at 1 — if you need a custom starting number (say, continuing from another volume), tell us and we'll add it.
Will the numbers overlap my content?
Numbers sit in the page margin (28pt from the edge) at a modest size. On documents with unusually full margins, pick a corner position where your content is lightest — the live preview shows exactly where the number lands.
Is this really free, with no account?
Yes. Like every FileSnap tool: no sign-up, no watermark, no limits, and your PDF is processed in your browser — never uploaded.