Why number the pages
Page numbers make a long document easier to read, refer to and print. A reader can say "see page 12", and a printed copy that falls on the floor can be put back in order. Reports, theses, contracts and handbooks all benefit from them.
Get the pages in order first
Numbers are written onto the pages, so do the other jobs first. Join the files with Merge PDF, and fix the order, remove blank pages or rotate pages with Organize PDF. If you number the pages and then change the order, the numbers will be out of order too.
How to add page numbers with Velfile
- Open Add Page Numbers to PDF and choose your PDF (up to 100 MB).
- Pick the Position, such as bottom center or bottom right.
- Pick the Style: 1, 2, 3, Page 1, Page 1 of 10 or 1 / 10.
- Set the First number and the Size. A size of 10 to 12 works for most documents.
- Leave Pages to number empty to number every page, or type a range.
- Press Add page numbers, then Download PDF.
You get a new PDF, and your original file is not changed. The work happens in your browser, so the PDF is not uploaded.
Skipping the cover page
Most reports do not show a number on the cover. Say your PDF has 12 pages and page 1 is the cover. Type 2-12 in Pages to number. The first page in your range receives the First number.
- If First number is 1, page 2 of the file shows 1, and the last page shows 11.
- If you want page 2 to show 2, set First number to 2.
With the "Page 1 of 10" style, the total is the last number in your range, so it matches what the reader sees.
Choosing a position and style
- Bottom center is the usual choice for reports and school papers.
- Bottom right is common for books and long documents.
- Top right suits letters and legal documents where the bottom holds a footer.
- Page 1 of 10 helps when readers need to know the total length, such as in a contract.
The tool does not create a table of contents. It only writes the page numbers.
After you add the numbers
- Scroll through the new file and check that the numbers are readable and do not cover other text.
- If the file needs a signature, add it last with Sign PDF.
- If the file is too big to send, use Compress PDF.
Last updated: 11 October 2026