PDF guides
PDF Page Number Formats, Positions, Margins, and Styling
Add Page Numbers looks simple until a footer collides with a signature block or “Page 3 of 10” confuses reviewers who only numbered an appendix. This guide focuses on the four formats, six positions, and styling controls—margins, font size, color, start number, and Helvetica-only text—so placement decisions are intentional.
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Number formats
Four formats are available: plain `1, 2, 3`; padded `01, 02, 03`; labeled `Page 1`; and `Page 1 of {N}`. In page-of-total style, `Y` is the total page count of the full PDF—not the count of selected pages. Padded values stay readable when the number grows past two digits (for example 105 stays “105,” not a broken pad). Roman numerals and Bates stamps are not supported.
- Plain: 1, 2, 3
- Padded: 01, 02, 03 (two-digit pad when applicable)
- Page label: Page 1
- Page of total: Page 1 of {N} where N is the full document length
Six positions, margins, and styling
Positions are top-left, top-center, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-center (default), and bottom-right. Margin (12–72 points) is the distance from the selected edge. Font size is 8–72 points. Start number is 1–9999. Color is a hex `#rrggbb` value. The font is Helvetica only—there is no font family picker.
Choose positions that avoid covering existing headers, footers, signatures, and form fields. Previews show the first 30 document pages; export can still number the full valid selection beyond that preview window.
| Control | Range or options | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Six top/bottom left-center-right placements | Bottom-center |
| Margin | 12–72 points | 36 points |
| Font size | 8–72 points | 12 points |
| Start number | 1–9999 | 1 |
| Color | #rrggbb hex | #000000 |
| Font | Helvetica only | Helvetica |
The tool does not auto-detect collisions, remove existing numbers, or offer different odd/even positions.
PDF Page Number Formats and Positions FAQ
- What does Page X of Y use for Y?
- Y is the total page count of the full PDF, not the number of pages you selected to stamp.
- What is the default position?
- Bottom-center.
- Can I use Roman numerals or Bates numbering?
- No. Only the four listed formats are supported.
- Can I change the font family?
- No. Numbers are drawn with Helvetica only.
- Why does preview stop at 30 pages?
- Preview shows the first 30 document pages for responsiveness. Export still applies to the full valid selection within the 100-page file limit.
- Where is partial numbering explained?
- See /guides/number-only-part-of-a-pdf. The overview is /guides/how-to-add-page-numbers-to-pdf.
Related guides
- How to Add Page Numbers to a PDFAdd customizable page numbers with position, format, ranges, font size, color, and margin—processed locally with current limits.
- Number Only Part of a PDFAdd page numbers to selected PDF pages, skip a cover page, or use custom ranges while controlling the visible starting number and page-number format.
- How to Organize PDF PagesRearrange PDF pages locally in your browser—reorder, rotate, duplicate, delete, and reset—with current file and page limits.
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