About the Add Header and Footer to PDF
Reports, contracts and course notes look more professional with a header and footer on every page. This tool lets you put text in six places: left, centre and right of the top and the bottom of each page. Special codes fill in the page number ({page}), the total pages ({pages}), the file name ({file}) and today's date ({date}), so you can write a footer such as Page {page} of {pages} or a header like Confidential - {date}. Choose the font, size, colour and distance from the edge, skip the first page for a cover, or limit the text to a range of pages. The original content is untouched, and everything is done in your browser.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Add Header and Footer to PDF
- 1Pick your PDF.
- 2Type text in any of the six boxes, using {page}, {pages}, {file} and {date} where you want them.
- 3Set the font, size, colour and distance from the edge.
- 4Choose whether to skip the first page or use a range.
- 5Press Add to PDF and download the result.
What goes where
Headers usually carry the document title, the section name or a confidentiality mark. Footers usually hold the page number, the date, the author or the file name. Keep both short, in a small size such as 9 or 10 points and a mid grey, so they help readers without competing with the content.
For two-sided printing, some designers put the page number on the outside edge. You can do that by using the right box for odd pages in one run and the left box for even pages in a second run with a page range.
Example texts
- Page {page} of {pages}
- {file} - printed {date}
- Confidential - do not copy
- Draft version for review
- Company name | Annual report
- Case 2024-117
Related tools
For a big diagonal stamp across the page use Watermark PDF, and for simple numbering try Add Page Numbers to PDF. Use PDF Metadata Editor to set the title and author inside the file, and combine files first with Merge PDF. After adding text, check the result in the PDF Viewer.
Features
- Six positions: header and footer, left, centre, right
- Codes for page number, total, file name and date
- Font, size and colour
- Skip the cover page or use a page range
- Original pages stay sharp and unchanged
- No upload, no watermark added by us
Frequently asked questions
How do I add page numbers?
Type Page {page} of {pages} in the footer centre box. The codes are replaced on every page. There is also a dedicated page numbering tool if you only need numbers.
Can I put today's date?
Yes, use {date}. The date is taken from your device when you press the button, in the form 8 October 2026.
How do I skip the first page?
Tick Skip the first page. Or set From page to 2. The page number codes still count from the real position, so the second page shows 2.
What characters can I use?
The PDF fonts built in to the tool cover standard Western letters. Accents are simplified to plain letters, and other alphabets are replaced with question marks.
Will the text overlap my content?
It sits in the margin at the distance you choose. If a page has content very close to the edge, choose a wider distance or use a smaller size.
Can I add a logo?
Not with this tool. Use a PDF editor or a watermark tool for pictures.
Is the original text editable afterwards?
The new text is part of the page, not a form field, but PDF editors can still edit or remove it. Flatten the PDF if you need it locked.