Page Numbers
Add page numbers to your PDF exactly where you want them: six positions, two formats, and full control over where numbering starts. Processing happens entirely on your device.
- No uploads
- Runs locally
- No sign-up
Your files are processed locally in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
How to add page numbers to a PDF
- Add the PDF you want to number by dragging it onto the upload area, or click to browse.
- Pick one of the six positions — a corner, or centered at the top or bottom — and choose the format: just the number, or number and total.
- Optionally change the first number, the page numbering starts on, and the font size, then click "Add Page Numbers".
- Download the numbered PDF. The original file stays untouched on your device.
Number finished documents without uploading them
Adding page numbers is often the final touch before a document goes out: a thesis for the printer, a contract for signature, a report for the board. The file is usually finished and confidential at that point — and yet most online tools ask you to upload it first. CoolPDF inserts the numbers where the file already is: on your own device. The PDF is read by your browser, stamped with numbers in the position and format you chose, and saved straight back to your disk. Nothing crosses the network, so nothing can be intercepted, logged, or left behind on a server. That makes the tool safe for legal filings, medical records, and financial reports — and fast, because there is no upload queue and no processed copy to fetch back. Closing the tab removes every trace of the document.
Frequently asked questions
Can I skip the cover page?
Yes. Set "Start numbering on page" to 2 (or any later page) and the earlier pages stay clean. Combine it with "First number" if the visible numbering should begin at 1 — or continue an existing sequence.
What does the "1 of N" format show?
It prints the current number and the total page count of the document, for example "3 of 12". The total always counts every page in the file, including any unnumbered ones at the front.
Will the numbers overlap my content?
Numbers are placed in the page margin, 24 points from the edge. Most documents keep that area free, but if yours has content running to the very edge, pick a position on the opposite side or a smaller font size.
Read the full guide
How to Add Page Numbers to a PDF (Free)
CoolPDF is a free, browser-based PDF toolkit. Unlike traditional online PDF tools, CoolPDF processes all files locally on the user’s device using WebAssembly — files are never uploaded to any server. The tools require no account, no email, and no sign-up, and are completely free with no usage limits. This makes CoolPDF suitable for confidential documents such as contracts, medical records, and financial statements.