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 page number text onto each PDF page within 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 page numbers to my PDF?

Pick a PDF from your device, then choose a position (header or footer, left/center/right), a starting number, a format such as "n / total", and a font size. Select Add page numbers and save the result; everything runs locally in your browser.

If I set the starting number to something other than 1, does "n / total" change the total too?

No. The starting number only shifts the count on the first page (for example, starting at 3 numbers pages 3, 4, 5...), but "total" always reflects the actual number of pages in the document. So a 5-page file starting at 3 would read "3 / 5", "4 / 5", and so on.

Can I number only some pages or skip the cover page?

Not currently. The tool stamps the chosen label onto every page of the document, so there is no option to exclude a cover page or apply numbers to a subset. You can offset the displayed value with the starting number, but the text is still drawn on all pages.

Does the Add Page Numbers tool cost anything to use?

Adding page numbers to your PDF is completely free — no account, no sign-up, and no cap on how many documents you number, and it always will be. Your PDF is read directly by your browser, which draws the page numbers onto each page using pdf-lib; the file never leaves your device or touches a server. You can verify this yourself by watching the Network tab in your browser's developer tools while the tool runs.

Add Page Numbers to PDF Privately — Your Document Stays on Your Device

Select a PDF, choose where and how to number the pages, and download the result — all processing happens locally in your browser with no upload.

Quick answer

What it does: Select a PDF, choose where and how to number the pages, and download the result — all processing happens locally in your browser with no upload.
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: Adding footer page numbers to a multi-page report before submitting to a professor or committee.
Good to know: Page numbers are drawn as static text elements and are not PDF logical page labels; some PDF readers may show different numbers in their own UI.

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.
Choose the position (header or footer, left / center / right), starting number, and font size.
pdf-lib draws the page number onto each page at the specified position using its built-in text drawing API.
The numbered PDF is offered as a download directly from your browser.

When to use this tool

Adding footer page numbers to a multi-page report before submitting to a professor or committee.
Numbering a compiled PDF booklet where the individual section files had no sequential numbers.
Adding centred page numbers to a legal filing that requires numbered pages.
Note: numbers are static drawn text — some PDF readers show their own page count in the UI, which may differ from what you added.

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 page number text onto each PDF page within 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 page numbers to my PDF?: Pick a PDF from your device, then choose a position (header or footer, left/center/right), a starting number, a format such as "n / total", and a font size. Select Add page numbers and save the result; everything runs locally in your browser.
If I set the starting number to something other than 1, does "n / total" change the total too?: No. The starting number only shifts the count on the first page (for example, starting at 3 numbers pages 3, 4, 5...), but "total" always reflects the actual number of pages in the document. So a 5-page file starting at 3 would read "3 / 5", "4 / 5", and so on.
Can I number only some pages or skip the cover page?: Not currently. The tool stamps the chosen label onto every page of the document, so there is no option to exclude a cover page or apply numbers to a subset. You can offset the displayed value with the starting number, but the text is still drawn on all pages.
Does the Add Page Numbers tool cost anything to use?: Adding page numbers to your PDF is completely free — no account, no sign-up, and no cap on how many documents you number, and it always will be. Your PDF is read directly by your browser, which draws the page numbers onto each page using pdf-lib; the file never leaves your device or touches a server. You can verify this yourself by watching the Network tab in your browser's developer tools while the tool runs.