# Add Page Numbers — Technical Tool Documentation > **Summary:** Stamp configurable page numbers onto every page of a PDF. > **Tool Route:** `/tools/page-numbers.html` > **Visual Guide Route:** `/guides/page-numbers/` > **Category:** Edit PDF > **Processing Architecture:** 100% Client-Side. Zero server uploads. --- ## 1. What the Tool Does Add Page Numbers embeds a number label on each page with position, format, starting number, font size, and color controls. **Requirements & Constraints:** One readable PDF is required. The number is drawn onto every page, so leave sufficient margin. --- ## 2. When to Use It Use **Add Page Numbers** whenever you need to perform client-side edit pdf operations without uploading confidential records to third-party cloud servers. **Ideal Scenarios:** - Working on personal identity records, banking statements, medical filings, or NDAs requiring 100% local confidentiality. - Fast offline or low-bandwidth processing directly in your web browser. - Universal cross-platform document operations on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS. --- ## 3. Key Implemented Features - **Engine Architecture:** `pdf-lib (page.drawText, StandardFonts.Helvetica)` - **Zero Server Uploads:** Processing executes directly within client browser memory. - **Instant Processing:** Fast execution powered by WebAssembly and native HTML5 APIs. - **Review Previews:** Visual feedback and progress indicators confirm results prior to saving. - **No Sign-up / No Watermarks:** Full functionality with zero paywalls or forced branding. --- ## 4. Supported Input Files - **Primary Input:** Single PDF document (.pdf) - **Validation:** Files are validated in the browser prior to parsing. --- ## 5. Supported Output Files - **Output Format:** Numbered PDF document (numbered.pdf) - **MIME Types:** `application/pdf` (or appropriate image/text/zip formats). --- ## 6. File Size & Memory Limits - **Recommended Bounds:** Client RAM bound - **Technical Context:** Modern browser tabs enforce memory quotas (typically 1.5 GB to 2 GB per tab). PDFHub handles documents comfortably within standard browser memory limits. For files exceeding 150 MB or 1,000 pages, splitting into smaller sections is recommended. --- ## 7. Step-by-Step Instructions 1. **Upload a PDF and wait for its page count.** 2. **Choose a position, format, starting number, font size, and color.** 3. **Select Add Numbers.** 4. **Review the first and last pages of the generated PDF.** --- ## 8. Required User Inputs & Controls - **File Upload Area (`#drop` / `#fin`):** Click to open native file browser or drag and drop supported files. - **Tool Options (`#opts`):** Dynamic settings panel configuring parameters, page ranges, or compression levels. - **Execution Button (`Add Page Numbers (#goBtn)`):** Triggers client-side processing pipeline. - **Reset Button:** Clears loaded files and resets workspace to pristine state. --- ## 9. Processing Behavior & Execution Pipeline Iterates through pages, calculates coordinates based on position (Bottom/Top, Center/Left/Right), formats numbering string ("Page X of Y", "X", etc.), embeds font, draws text at exact offsets, and saves PDF. --- ## 10. Expected Output & Download Verification - Upon successful execution, the interface triggers an automated browser download via `downloadBlob()` or opens a result review modal. - Users can verify file size, page count, and visual rendering before finalizing the download. --- ## 11. Practical Example Use Case Adding formal pagination to bound manuscripts, legal briefs, reports, or printed thesis documents. --- ## 12. Common Errors & Troubleshooting - **Issue:** If a number overlaps content, choose another position or smaller size. - **Issue:** If the PDF cannot load, repair or export a readable copy first. - **Avoid:** Choosing white text on a light page. - **Avoid:** Forgetting that the start number affects every subsequent page. - **Tip:** Page numbers overlapping existing footer text. Solution: Adjust position to Top Right or adjust margin. --- ## 13. Privacy & Data Handling Architecture - **Local Processing:** 100% Client-Side. Zero server uploads. - **Browser Memory:** Document bytes reside temporarily in `ArrayBuffer` memory and are garbage collected when the browser tab is refreshed or closed. - **Cookies & Telemetry:** PDFHub sets zero tracking cookies, zero analytics beacons, and stores zero personal document data. --- ## 14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) #### Q: Can I number selected pages only? **A:** This page applies numbering to every page. #### Q: Does it modify existing text? **A:** It adds a new text stamp. --- ## 15. Related PDFHub Tools - [Edit PDF Documentation](edit-pdf.md) - [Rotate PDF Documentation](rotate-pdf.md) - [Organize PDF Documentation](organize-pdf.md) --- ## 16. Links & Resources - **Launch Live Tool:** [Open Add Page Numbers in PDFHub](../../tools/page-numbers.html) - **Visual Tutorial:** [View Add Page Numbers Visual Guide](../../guides/page-numbers/) - **All Tools Master Reference:** [All Tools Reference](../all-tools-reference.md) - **Master Documentation Index:** [Documentation Index](../documentation-index.md) --- ## 17. Visual Walkthrough & Interface Screenshots ### Step 1: Open Add Page Numbers - **Interface Control:** `Upload Drop Zone (#drop)` - **What You See:** The upload area accepts any multi-page PDF document. - **What to Do:** Open Add Page Numbers to stamp consecutive page numbers onto document pages. - **Practical Pro-Tip:** Adding page numbers is essential for legal filings, thesis papers, and formal reports. ![Add Page Numbers Step 1 - Open Add Page Numbers](../images/page-numbers-step-1.png) ### Step 2: Upload PDF Document - **Interface Control:** `File Browser (#fin)` - **What You See:** The document loads and total page count is detected. - **What to Do:** Select your PDF document from your storage. - **Practical Pro-Tip:** The tool accurately detects total pages to support "Page X of Y" formats. ![Add Page Numbers Step 2 - Upload PDF Document](../images/page-numbers-step-2.png) ### Step 3: Choose Number Position - **Interface Control:** `Position Dropdown (#pos)` - **What You See:** Position options align coordinates relative to page margins. - **What to Do:** Select where numbers should appear (e.g. Bottom Center, Bottom Right, or Top Right). - **Practical Pro-Tip:** Bottom Right is the standard placement for corporate and academic documents. ![Add Page Numbers Step 3 - Choose Number Position](../images/page-numbers-step-3.png) ### Step 4: Select Numbering Format - **Interface Control:** `Format Selector (#fmt)` - **What You See:** The format template updates the text string stamped on each page. - **What to Do:** Choose the stamp text format: "Page {n} of {total}", "{n} / {total}", or simple "{n}". - **Practical Pro-Tip:** "Page X of Y" guarantees readers know immediately if any page is missing. ![Add Page Numbers Step 4 - Select Numbering Format](../images/page-numbers-step-4.png) ### Step 5: Configure Font & Start Number - **Interface Control:** `Styling Controls (#start, #fsize, #color)` - **What You See:** Controls allow precise customization to match your document aesthetics. - **What to Do:** Set the starting number (e.g. 1), typography font size (e.g. 10pt), and color. - **Practical Pro-Tip:** A neutral gray (#666666) or dark slate color blends elegantly with existing page headers. ![Add Page Numbers Step 5 - Configure Font & Start Number](../images/page-numbers-step-4.png) ### Step 6: Click Add Page Numbers - **Interface Control:** `Action Button (#goBtn)` - **What You See:** Vector page number text is stamped directly into each page stream in memory. - **What to Do:** Click the primary "Add Page Numbers" button. - **Practical Pro-Tip:** Stamped numbers are sharp vector glyphs that stay crisp at any zoom level. ![Add Page Numbers Step 6 - Click Add Page Numbers](../images/page-numbers-step-4.png) ### Step 7: Review Stamped Pages & Download - **Interface Control:** `Review Section & Download (#generatedPreview, #dlModal)` - **What You See:** The preview displays numbers cleanly positioned on each page. - **What to Do:** Inspect the stamped numbers in the preview viewer, then click "Download". - **Practical Pro-Tip:** Check the first and last pages in the preview to confirm placement. ![Add Page Numbers Step 7 - Review Stamped Pages & Download](../images/page-numbers-step-4.png)