PDF Header & Footer Tool – Add Page Numbers to PDF
Need to add professional page numbers, headers, or footers to your PDF? Whether you’re preparing a report, a contract, a thesis, or a presentation, our tool lets you stamp custom text on every page – with macros for current page, total pages, and today’s date. All processing happens locally: no upload, 100% private, completely free.
Digital Document Labeler
Select your PDF file to start adding page numbers and labels. All processing stays in your browser.
Local Processing • No Upload • Live Preview
Live Preview (Page 1)
📄 Why Add Headers, Footers & Page Numbers?
PDFs are the standard for document exchange, but without page numbers or consistent branding, they can be hard to navigate. Adding headers and footers helps readers keep track, makes document review easier, and gives a professional finish. Whether it’s a contract, an academic thesis, a corporate report, or a scanned manuscript, a simple page number or company name in the footer improves usability dramatically.
1. Improve Document Navigation & Review
When you receive a multi‑page PDF, flipping through random pages to find a specific section is frustrating. Page numbers (e.g., “Page 5 of 20”) let reviewers quickly reference sections. Headers can also be used to show chapter titles or document names.
2. Add Professional Branding
Place your company name, logo (via text), or document title in the header of every page. This reinforces brand identity and makes your document look polished, especially in proposals, contracts, and external reports. Our tool supports custom text and colors, so you can match your corporate style.
3. Comply with Submission Requirements
Many academic journals, government agencies, and legal bodies require numbered pages. Adding a footer with page numbers ensures your submission meets those standards without having to re‑export from the source document.
📌 How to Add Headers & Footers to a PDF (Step by Step):
- Select your PDF: Click the indigo button and choose the file you want to label. The tool loads the first page for preview.
- Write your label text: Use macros like
{p}(current page number),{t}(total pages), and{date}(today’s date). For example, "Page {p} of {t} – Confidential". - Choose placement: Use the 3×3 grid to pick top‑left, top‑center, top‑right, bottom‑left, bottom‑center, or bottom‑right.
- Adjust style: Pick a text color and font size (6–32 points). The live preview updates in real time.
- Download: Click “SAVE & DOWNLOAD”. The tool uses pdf‑lib to stamp the label on every page of your PDF.
Note: The stamp is added as a text layer – it does not alter the original content. The process is lossless and reversible only by generating a new file.
🔒 100% Private – No Server, No Upload
Most online PDF header tools require you to upload your document to a remote server, exposing your content to potential data breaches. Free PDF Tools uses pdf-lib to modify the PDF and PDF.js for preview, both entirely in your browser. Your file never leaves your device. No upload, no server logs, no tracking. Absolute privacy for your sensitive documents.
⚙️ How the Header/Footer Insertion Works Technically
We load your PDF using pdf-lib, a powerful JavaScript library. For each page, we get its dimensions (width and height). We parse the macro in your label text, replacing {p} with the current page number (1‑based), {t} with the total page count, and {date} with the current date in the user’s locale. We then embed a Helvetica‑Bold font, measure the text width, and calculate the X and Y coordinates based on your selected position and margin (30 points from edges). Finally, we draw the text using the selected color and size. The result is a new PDF with the labels stamped on every page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – PDF Headers & Footers
Q: What macros can I use in the label text?
A: {p} → current page number (1,2,3…), {t} → total number of pages, {date} → current date in your local format (e.g., “Apr 26, 2026”). You can combine them, e.g., “Page {p} of {t} – Printed on {date}”.
Q: Can I change the font family?
A: Our current implementation uses Helvetica‑Bold (standard PDF font) for reliability. Changing fonts would require embedding custom fonts, which increases file size and complexity. For most uses, Helvetica‑Bold provides a clean, professional look.
Q: Does this tool work on scanned (image‑based) PDFs?
A: Yes. The stamp is added as a separate layer on top of the page. It works equally well on digital text PDFs and scanned image PDFs.
Q: Can I add different text on the first page?
A: The current version applies the same text to all pages. For advanced use (e.g., “Draft” on first page only), you would need a more sophisticated editor.
Q: Is there a limit on the number of pages?
A: No artificial limit – but very large PDFs (hundreds of pages) may take slightly longer to process, as the tool iterates through every page locally. The time depends on your device’s CPU.
Q: Does the tool work on mobile phones?
A: Yes. It works on modern browsers (iOS Safari, Android Chrome). The preview canvas scales appropriately, and the controls are touch‑friendly.
Q: Is the tool really free and unlimited?
A: Absolutely. Free PDF Tools is completely free. Add headers and footers to as many PDFs as you need – no registration, no watermarks, no hidden fees.
Keywords: PDF header footer, add page numbers to PDF, PDF numbering tool, free PDF utility, no upload PDF editor, stamp text on PDF.