How to Add Page Numbers to PDF on Mac Free (2026)

Need to add page numbers to PDF files on your Mac? This comprehensive guide shows you multiple free methods to add professional page numbers using built-in macOS tools and online services.

Why Mac Users Need Page Numbering

• Preview limitations: Preview cannot add page numbers natively
• Professional documents: Required for business and academic work
• Free alternatives: Avoid expensive Adobe Acrobat subscription
• Quick solutions: Need fast, easy methods

Method 1: Use PdfVala in Safari (Recommended - Free)

The easiest way to add page numbers on Mac is using PdfVala in Safari - no software installation, completely free, with full customization.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open Safari (or any browser) on your Mac
2. Visit PdfVala.com/add-page-numbers
3. Click Choose File or drag PDF from Finder
4. Customize settings:
   • Position: Top/Bottom, Left/Center/Right
   • Format: 1, 2, 3 or Page 1 or i, ii, iii
   • Font size and color
   • Starting number
   • Page range
5. Preview on sample pages
6. Click Add Page Numbers
7. Download numbered PDF to Downloads folder

Method 2: Using Preview (Workaround)

Important: Preview does not have built-in page numbering. However, you can use this workaround:

Add Page Numbers via Annotations:

1. Open PDF in Preview
2. Tools then Annotate then Text
3. Click on page to add text box
4. Type page number manually
5. Position text box where you want number
6. Repeat for each page

Limitation: Extremely tedious for multi-page documents. Not recommended for more than 5 pages.

Method 3: Using Pages App

Convert PDF to Pages Document:

1. Right-click PDF in Finder
2. Open With then Pages
3. Pages converts PDF to editable document
4. Insert then Page Numbers
5. Choose position and format
6. File then Export To then PDF
7. Save as new PDF

Pros: Free, built-in to macOS

Cons: May lose formatting during PDF conversion, not ideal for complex layouts

Method 4: Using Adobe Acrobat for Mac

If You Have Adobe Acrobat Pro:

1. Open PDF in Adobe Acrobat
2. Tools then Edit PDF
3. Header and Footer then Add
4. Click Insert Page Number
5. Configure position and format
6. Set page range if needed
7. Click OK to apply

Cost: $19.99/month or $239.88/year subscription

Method 5: Using Automator (Advanced)

Create Custom Workflow:

1. Open Automator (Applications folder)
2. Create new Quick Action
3. Add Get Specified Finder Items
4. Add Run Shell Script
5. Use Python or shell commands to add page numbers
6. Save workflow

Note: Requires programming knowledge. Not recommended for beginners.

Comparison of Mac Methods

Tips for Mac Users

1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Cmd+O to open files in Preview
• Cmd+Shift+S to save as new file
• Cmd+Tab to switch between apps

2. Organize Files:

• Keep original PDF in separate folder
• Name numbered version clearly (e.g., document-numbered.pdf)
• Use Finder tags for easy identification

3. Preview Before Finalizing:

• Check all pages have numbers
• Verify position is consistent
• Ensure numbers are readable
• Test print if needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Preview add page numbers to PDF on Mac?

No. Preview does not have a built-in page numbering feature. You can manually add text annotations, but this is impractical for multi-page documents. Use PdfVala or Pages instead.

What is the best free way to add page numbers on Mac?

PdfVala is the best free option. It works in Safari without installation, offers full customization, and processes files locally for privacy. No subscription or watermarks.

Does macOS have built-in PDF page numbering?

Not directly. While Preview can view and annotate PDFs, it cannot add automatic page numbers. Pages can add numbers but requires converting PDF to Pages format first.

Can I add page numbers to scanned PDFs on Mac?

Yes. Page numbers are added as an overlay on top of existing content, so it works with both text-based and scanned PDFs.

Conclusion

While macOS Preview lacks page numbering features, Mac users have several free alternatives. PdfVala offers the best combination of ease, features, and privacy without requiring software installation or expensive subscriptions. For simple documents, Pages works well, but PdfVala is recommended for preserving original formatting.

Related Guides:

• How to Add Page Numbers to PDF
• How to Merge PDF on Mac
• How to Compress PDF on Mac