Add page numbers to a PDF, skipping the cover
Skip the title page, pick a corner and a format, and avoid the off-by-one that catches people who use Page X of Y.
Adding page numbers to a PDF without numbering the title page takes one tick box: Skip first page. With Add Page Numbers to PDF the count then starts on page two, you choose one of nine positions and a format, and it all runs in your browser, so a term paper, a court filing or a scanned contract stays on your machine. The one thing to watch is "Page X of Y": with a cover skipped, the last page reads one less than the total, and the next section explains why.
What does "Skip first page" actually do?
It leaves page one blank of numbers and gives page two the starting number you set, which defaults to 1. So in a 10-page file with the default settings, page two shows 1 and page ten shows 9. The cover is still counted as a page of the file, it just doesn't wear a number.
The rest of the controls:
- Position: top, middle or bottom, crossed with left, center or right.
- Format: number only, "1 / 10", "Página 1", "Page 1", "- 1 -", or a custom pattern using
{n}for the number and{total}for the page count. - Look: font size from 8 to 24, a color picker and a margin from 10 to 50.
- Output: a file named like the original with
-numerado.pdfat the end. Files up to 500 MB are accepted.
Page X of Y with a skipped cover: the off-by-one
The total in {total} is the number of pages in the file, cover included. With the cover skipped, a 10-page PDF ends on "9 / 10". The total is simply the page count, yet a reader may wonder where the tenth page went.
Here is the same 10-page file with the format "{n} / {total}" and a starting number of 1:
| Page of the file | Skip first page off | Skip first page on |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (cover) | 1 / 10 | no number |
| 2 | 2 / 10 | 1 / 10 |
| 10 | 10 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
Pick one fix:
- Drop the total. "Page {n}" or the bare number is what most reports, briefs and papers use anyway.
- Number the body alone. Cut the cover off with Split PDF, number the remainder from 1, then glue the two back with Merge PDF. The total now matches the body.
Starting at a number other than 1
The Start at page field sets the number on the first numbered page. It works for an appendix that continues another document: the main text ends at 48, so the appendix starts at 49. It does not let you choose which page of the file begins numbering, and there are no roman numerals or custom ranges. For roman-numeral front matter and an arabic-numbered body, number each part on its own and merge them.
Numbering a merged packet
Packets built from several files, like a board pack or an application bundle, are numbered last. Any change to the page order after numbering breaks the sequence. A dependable order is: merge the files, drop or reorder pages in Organize PDF, number, then open the result in the PDF reader to check it. If the pieces come in different sheet sizes, scroll through to make sure the number stays readable on each, because the margin is measured on the page itself.
Size, color and margin
The defaults are 12 points, black and a 20-point margin, which suits most documents. Go smaller, around 9 or 10, for dense pages such as contracts, where a large number would crowd the text. Go larger for presentations printed as handouts. The margin is the distance from the page edge, so raise it if your printer clips the edges. After applying, scroll the result in the reader: a color that looks fine on white can vanish on a page with a dark background.
Which corner?
Bottom center or bottom right suits most documents. For double-sided printing, bottom center is the only spot that doesn't depend on which side of the sheet a page lands on, since the tool puts the number in the same place on every page and doesn't alternate between odd and even pages. Printing a booklet? Start with printing PDFs at home.
The text is set in Helvetica, so Latin letters, digits and basic symbols work. A custom format with an emoji or another script gets an error message instead of a broken file. Rotated pages, such as a landscape sheet, get the number placed relative to how the page looks.
Frequently asked questions
How do I leave the title page without a number?
Tick Skip first page before applying the numbers. The title page stays blank and page two carries the starting number, normally 1.
Can I show "Page X of Y"?
Yes, with a custom format like "Page {n} of {total}". The total counts every page, cover included, so with the cover skipped the last number is one below the total.
Does it support roman numerals?
No, only arabic digits. Prepare a roman-numeral section separately and merge it with the rest.
Can I number only a range of pages?
Only the first page can be skipped. For a particular range, split the PDF, number the piece you want and merge it back.
Is the PDF uploaded?
No. Numbering happens in your browser and the file downloads from your device. You can check the Network tab in developer tools: analytics requests show up, but no POST or PUT the size of your file.
Why is my custom format rejected?
It likely holds a character the font can't write, like an emoji or a letter from another script. Remove it and keep to Latin letters, digits and basic symbols.
Number your PDF now
Pick the position, format and starting number, then download the numbered PDF. Runs locally, free, no signup.
Open Add Page Numbers →Related tools
- Add Page Numbers to PDF: position, format, starting number and cover skip.
- Merge PDF: combine files before numbering so the order is final.
- Organize PDF: reorder, delete or duplicate pages before numbering.
- Split PDF: separate the cover or a section to number it on its own.
You might also like: how to reorder, delete and duplicate PDF pages, edit a PDF without installing anything and Stamp DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL on a PDF.