Add page numbers to PDFs

Last updated on Sep 23, 2025

Add page numbers to your PDF using the headers and footers in Adobe Acrobat.

You can customize the format and placement of page numbers to improve document structure and navigation.

Open the PDF and select Edit from the global bar.

Select Header and footer > Add from the left pane.

In the dialog box that opens, select Page Number and Date Format.

Note

If the document already has a header or footer, a dialog box prompts you to either replace it or add a new one. Choose the option that best fits your needs.

Page Number and Date Format dialog with options to set date format, page number format, and starting page number in a PDF. — Use the Page Number and Date Format dialog to customize how page numbers and dates appear in headers and footers, including format style and starting number.

In the dialog box that opens, select the desired page number format, set the starting page number, and then select OK.

Select the header or footer field based on where you want the number to appear.

Select Insert Page Number.

To add the current date, select Insert Date.

Use the Font section to adjust font style, size, and color of the numbering.

Use the Preview section to check how it looks.

Select OK.

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