How is this different from other online PDF tools?

Most online PDF tools send your files to a remote server for processing. This tool processes everything locally in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your files are never transmitted to any server, which means your document content stays entirely under your control.

Are my PDF files uploaded?

No. Your files are read directly by your browser. Your files are never transmitted over the network. The tool works entirely within the browser tab you have open.

Can I verify that files are not uploaded?

Yes. Open your browser's developer tools (F12), go to the Network tab, and watch for any outgoing requests while using the tool. You will see no file data leave your browser. The site may record an anonymous page-view count, which never includes your files and can be disabled.

Does this tool work offline?

Yes, once the page has loaded the tool processes your files entirely in your browser; tool functionality needs no network connection. You can disconnect from the internet and continue using it.

What happens when I refresh the page?

Because nothing is stored on a server, refreshing the page clears your current session. Any files you had selected will need to be selected again.

Does this tool store my files?

No. Files are held in browser memory only for as long as the page is open. Closing or refreshing the page discards them. Nothing is written to disk by the tool, and nothing is sent to a server.

Can this tool unlock password-protected PDFs?

No. This tool does not attempt to remove or bypass PDF password protection. If you know the password, the Unlock PDF tool on this site can remove it locally; then this tool can process the file.

What technologies does this tool use?

This tool uses client-side JavaScript and pdf-lib to draw your header and footer text onto each page entirely within your browser — your files never leave your browser.

Does this tool use WebAssembly?

No. This tool uses client-side JavaScript and pdf-lib for local PDF structure editing. No WebAssembly is involved.

How do I add a header with page numbers to my PDF?

Pick a PDF with the file picker, then type your header and/or footer text in the fields. To show page numbers, include the tokens {page} for the current page and {pages} for the total (for example, "Page {page} of {pages}"), choose an alignment and font size, click Apply, and save the result. Everything is processed locally in your browser.

Why do some non-Latin characters cause an error?

The text is drawn with pdf-lib's built-in Helvetica font, which is WinAnsi-encoded and covers basic Latin plus common Western-European accented letters such as é, ñ, and ü. Characters outside that set — for example CJK, Cyrillic, and many uncommon symbols — cannot be encoded and will trigger an error, so stick to standard Latin text for the header and footer.

Can I use a different alignment or font size for the header versus the footer?

No — a single alignment and font size apply to both the header and footer across every page, since the tool reuses the same settings for each. The header sits near the top edge and the footer near the bottom, each about 28 points from the page edge, and the text is drawn on top of existing content rather than pushing it aside.

Does the Add Header & Footer tool cost anything to use?

Adding headers, footers, and page numbers to your PDF with this tool is completely free — no account, no sign-up, and no cap on how many PDFs you can stamp. Your PDF is loaded directly into your browser and pdf-lib draws the text there, so your file never leaves your device, and the tool is free, and it always will be.

Add a Header or Footer to a PDF Privately — Right in Your Browser

Select a PDF, type header and/or footer text (with {page} and {pages} tokens), choose alignment, and download the result — all processed locally in your browser.

Quick answer

What it does: Select a PDF, type header and/or footer text (with {page} and {pages} tokens), choose alignment, and download the result — all processed locally in your browser.
Free?: Yes — 100% free, no account or sign-up.
Files uploaded?: No — everything is processed in your browser.
Works offline?: Yes — once the page has loaded.
Best for: A legal assistant stamps 'CONFIDENTIAL — Page {page} of {pages}' as a footer on every page of a discovery set.
Good to know: The built-in font supports basic Latin characters; non-Latin text (e.g. CJK) cannot be rendered.

How it works

Select a PDF file from your device using the file picker.
The file is read into browser memory — no data leaves your browser.
Type the header and/or footer text; use {page} and {pages} to insert the page number and total.
Choose alignment and font size, then pdf-lib draws the text onto every page in your browser.
The updated PDF is offered as a download directly from your browser.

When to use this tool

A legal assistant stamps 'CONFIDENTIAL — Page {page} of {pages}' as a footer on every page of a discovery set.
A consultant adds a client name and document title as a running header to a branded report before delivery.
A teacher adds centred page numbers in the footer to a multi-page handout assembled from several sources.
The built-in font supports basic Latin characters only — headers or footers containing CJK or non-Latin script will not render correctly.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from other online PDF tools?: Most online PDF tools send your files to a remote server for processing. This tool processes everything locally in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your files are never transmitted to any server, which means your document content stays entirely under your control.
Are my PDF files uploaded?: No. Your files are read directly by your browser. Your files are never transmitted over the network. The tool works entirely within the browser tab you have open.
Can I verify that files are not uploaded?: Yes. Open your browser's developer tools (F12), go to the Network tab, and watch for any outgoing requests while using the tool. You will see no file data leave your browser. The site may record an anonymous page-view count, which never includes your files and can be disabled.
Does this tool work offline?: Yes, once the page has loaded the tool processes your files entirely in your browser; tool functionality needs no network connection. You can disconnect from the internet and continue using it.
What happens when I refresh the page?: Because nothing is stored on a server, refreshing the page clears your current session. Any files you had selected will need to be selected again.
Does this tool store my files?: No. Files are held in browser memory only for as long as the page is open. Closing or refreshing the page discards them. Nothing is written to disk by the tool, and nothing is sent to a server.
Can this tool unlock password-protected PDFs?: No. This tool does not attempt to remove or bypass PDF password protection. If you know the password, the Unlock PDF tool on this site can remove it locally; then this tool can process the file.
What technologies does this tool use?: This tool uses client-side JavaScript and pdf-lib to draw your header and footer text onto each page entirely within your browser — your files never leave your browser.
Does this tool use WebAssembly?: No. This tool uses client-side JavaScript and pdf-lib for local PDF structure editing. No WebAssembly is involved.
How do I add a header with page numbers to my PDF?: Pick a PDF with the file picker, then type your header and/or footer text in the fields. To show page numbers, include the tokens {page} for the current page and {pages} for the total (for example, "Page {page} of {pages}"), choose an alignment and font size, click Apply, and save the result. Everything is processed locally in your browser.
Why do some non-Latin characters cause an error?: The text is drawn with pdf-lib's built-in Helvetica font, which is WinAnsi-encoded and covers basic Latin plus common Western-European accented letters such as é, ñ, and ü. Characters outside that set — for example CJK, Cyrillic, and many uncommon symbols — cannot be encoded and will trigger an error, so stick to standard Latin text for the header and footer.
Can I use a different alignment or font size for the header versus the footer?: No — a single alignment and font size apply to both the header and footer across every page, since the tool reuses the same settings for each. The header sits near the top edge and the footer near the bottom, each about 28 points from the page edge, and the text is drawn on top of existing content rather than pushing it aside.
Does the Add Header & Footer tool cost anything to use?: Adding headers, footers, and page numbers to your PDF with this tool is completely free — no account, no sign-up, and no cap on how many PDFs you can stamp. Your PDF is loaded directly into your browser and pdf-lib draws the text there, so your file never leaves your device, and the tool is free, and it always will be.