About the Add Margins to PDF
Some documents have almost no margin, which makes them hard to print, punch, bind or write notes on. This tool adds space around every page of your PDF. In Make pages bigger mode, each page grows by the margins you set, so a page with 15 mm added on every side gets 30 mm wider and taller and the content stays exactly the same size. In Keep page size mode, the page size is unchanged and the content is scaled down to fit inside the margins, which is handy for a binding edge or notes. Set each side on its own, choose mm, cm, inches or points and pick a margin colour. The work happens in your browser and your file is not uploaded.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Add Margins to PDF
- 1Pick the PDF.
- 2Choose whether to make the pages bigger or keep their size.
- 3Choose the unit and type the margin for each side.
- 4Pick a colour for the margin if you do not want white.
- 5Press Add margins and download the new PDF.
Choosing between the modes
Use Make pages bigger when you want a wide border for notes, for a presentation of the page as a card or for a frame in a different colour. The content stays at 100 percent, which matters when it must keep a precise size, such as a technical drawing at scale.
Use Keep page size when the paper must stay the same, for example to print on standard A4 with room for a three-hole punch. The content shrinks a little, so check that the text is still easy to read.
Common margin values
- Notes column: 40 to 60 mm on one side.
- Ring binder: 20 to 25 mm on the left.
- Printer safe area: 5 to 10 mm all round.
- Frame look: 10 mm all round with a light grey colour.
- Book style: larger inner margin and smaller outer margin.
Related tools
To remove white space instead, use Crop PDF, and to change the page size use Resize PDF. If you want to place two pages on one sheet use PDF Pages per Sheet, and Add Page Numbers to PDF helps you finish a bound document. For a stamp across the pages choose Watermark PDF. Check the result in a viewer before printing.
Features
- Make pages bigger, or shrink content in place
- Top, right, bottom and left on their own
- mm, cm, inches and points
- Coloured margins
- Vector content stays sharp
- Same margins on all pages
- Private, no upload
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the two modes?
Make pages bigger adds space outside the content, so the page size grows. Keep page size scales the content down and centres it inside the margins, so the page stays the same.
Will the text become blurry?
No. The pages are placed as vector content, so text and lines stay sharp at any zoom.
How big should a binding margin be?
For a ring binder or punched holes, 20 to 25 mm on the binding edge. For stapled or glued documents about 15 mm. Add a bit more for thick documents.
Can I add a bigger margin on one side only?
Yes. Untick Same on all four sides and set each side on its own, for example 30 mm on the left only.
Why does my printer cut off the edges?
Most printers cannot print within 3 to 5 mm of the paper edge. Adding a margin shrinks the content away from the edge so nothing is cut.
Does it change the content of the pages?
No. It only adds space or scales the whole page. Annotations and form fields may not move with the content in some cases.
Can I use different margins for odd and even pages?
Not in one run. Use a page range tool to split the pages into two files, add margins separately and join them again.