Add Page Numbers to PDF on Mac

Professional page numbering for any PDF

You've merged several documents into one PDF and now it has no page numbers. Or you've received a 60-page report that's impossible to reference because nobody numbered the pages. Or you need "Page X of Y" in the footer before printing a contract.

Paradise PDF adds page numbers to any PDF document directly on your Mac. It's a native macOS application built with Rust and Swift that gives you control over number placement, formatting, font, colour, and which pages to number. The result is a professional-looking document ready for printing, sharing, or archiving.

There's no upload step, no server involved, and no fiddling with print drivers. You configure the numbering style, apply it, and save.

How to add page numbers to a PDF on Mac

1. Open Paradise PDF and select the Page Numbering tool from the sidebar.
2. Add your PDF. Drag a file from Finder or click to browse.
3. Choose placement. Position the page numbers at the top or bottom of the page, aligned left, centre, or right.
4. Set formatting. Choose the font, size, and colour. Set a custom format like "Page 1 of 10" or "- 1 -" if you prefer something beyond plain numbers.
5. Configure numbering range. Set the starting number and choose which pages to number. Skip the cover page or start numbering from a specific page.
6. Click Apply. Paradise PDF adds the page numbers and saves a new copy. Your original PDF remains untouched.

When you need page numbers in your PDFs

After merging documents

When you combine multiple PDFs into one, the resulting document usually has no consistent page numbering. Add sequential numbers across the entire merged document so readers can navigate it easily.

Printing reports and contracts

Printed documents need page numbers for reference. "See page 14" only works if there are numbers on the pages. Add them before printing to make your documents usable.

Academic and legal submissions

Many submission guidelines require numbered pages. Court filings, thesis documents, and grant applications often specify page numbering formats and placement.

Table of contents alignment

If your PDF has a table of contents, the page references need to match actual page numbers. Add numbers that correspond to your TOC entries.

Reference and archival

Numbered pages make it easy to cite specific content in long documents. "The clause on page 23" is much more useful than "somewhere in the middle."

Key features of the page numbering tool

• Flexible placement: Top or bottom of page, left, centre, or right aligned. Six standard positions to match any document style.
• Custom formatting: Display numbers as plain digits, "Page X", "Page X of Y", "- X -", or any custom pattern you define.
• Font and colour control: Choose the font, size, and colour of the page numbers to match your document's typography.
• Starting number: Begin numbering from any number. Useful when your PDF is part of a larger document set.
• Page range selection: Number all pages, a specific range, or skip certain pages like the cover.
• Margin control: Set how far from the page edges the numbers appear. Keep them clear of existing content.
• Non-destructive: Page numbering creates a new file. Your original document is never modified.
• Works offline: No internet connection needed. Add page numbers anywhere, anytime.

Better than online page numbering tools

Browser-based tools require uploading your document to a third-party server just to add numbers to pages. For confidential or large documents, this is slow and introduces unnecessary privacy risk.

Preview.app on macOS has no page numbering feature. You'd need to print to PDF with headers enabled from another application, which is indirect and limited in formatting options.

Adobe Acrobat offers headers and footers including page numbers, but it requires a subscription. If page numbering is your primary need, you're paying for far more than you use.

Paradise PDF gives you precise page numbering on Mac with full formatting control and a one-time purchase price. No subscriptions, no uploads, no workarounds.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I place the page numbers?

You can place page numbers at the top or bottom of the page, aligned left, centre, or right. This gives you six standard positions. You can also set margins to control exactly how far from the edge the numbers appear.

Can I start numbering from a page other than the first?

Yes. You can set a starting page number and choose which pages to number. This is useful when your PDF has a cover page or table of contents that should not be numbered.

What numbering formats are available?

Paradise PDF supports standard numeric formats (1, 2, 3), and you can customise the display text around the number, such as "Page 1 of 10" or "- 1 -".

Can I change the font and size of page numbers?

Yes. You can set the font, size, and colour of the page numbers so they match the style of your document.

Does adding page numbers modify the original PDF?

No. Paradise PDF creates a new copy with page numbers added. Your original document is never modified.

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