Quick start (60 seconds): start page numbers on page 2

Goal: Cover page stays unnumbered. Page 2 displays “1”, page 3 displays “2”, etc.
  1. Open: PDF Page Numbers
  2. Upload your PDF
  3. Set Start from Page = 2
  4. Set Start Number = 1
  5. Pick a Position (Bottom Center is most common)
  6. Choose Number Format (usually 1, 2, 3...)
  7. Optional: choose Font, Font Size, Color, and prefix/suffix
  8. Click Add Page Numbers → download
Quick variation: If you want the second page to display “2” (because you want printed numbers to match physical pages), keep Start from Page = 2 but set Start Number = 2.

Most cover-page documents use the first method (page 2 shows 1), but filings sometimes prefer printed numbers to match physical pages.

Before you start: “page 2” vs “printed page 1”

This is the #1 reason people get confused when they search “start numbering on page 2.” You’re dealing with two systems:

Physical page count (what your PDF viewer shows)

Your PDF viewer counts pages starting from the first page in the file. The cover is page 1, the next page is page 2, and so on.

Printed page numbers (what you want visible on the page)

These are the numbers you’re adding to the document. You might want the cover to show nothing, and the second page to display “1”.

When someone says “start page numbers on page 2,” they usually mean: Start printing numbers after the cover page. That’s why the quick-start recipe uses Start from Page = 2 and Start Number = 1.

Step-by-step: add page numbers with LifetimePDF

Step 1: Open the tool

Go to LifetimePDF PDF Page Numbers. It’s browser-based (no installation) and built for fast, clean exports.

Step 2: Upload your PDF

Drag & drop your file or click “Choose File.” Tip: If you’re numbering a “packet” made from multiple PDFs, merge first (see the recipe below).

Step 3: Choose placement

Most documents use one of these:

  • Bottom Center (classic report style)
  • Bottom Right (common for business docs)
  • Top Right (common for worksheets and handouts)

Step 4: Pick your numbering style

Select the format that matches your document:

  • 1, 2, 3… for most PDFs
  • i, ii, iii… for introductions/front matter
  • A, B, C… for appendices and exhibits

Step 5: Customize appearance

Use these settings to make your numbering look “native” to the document:

  • Font (e.g., Helvetica/Times/Courier)
  • Font Size (smaller for tight footers, bigger for worksheets)
  • Color (usually black or dark gray)
  • Prefix / Suffix (optional): for example, prefix “p.” to show “p. 12”

Step 6: Set “Start from Page” and “Start Number”

This is the heart of the long-tail keyword:

  • Start from Page = the physical PDF page where numbering begins
  • Start Number = the printed number you want to show on that page
Most common setup (skip cover page):
Start from Page: 2
Start Number: 1

Step 7: Skip pages (optional)

If your PDF includes blank pages, divider pages, or signature sheets that should stay clean, use “Skip Pages.” You can enter comma-separated pages and ranges like 1,4,7-9.

Step 8: Export and download

Click Add Page Numbers, then download your finished PDF and quickly spot-check: first numbered page, middle page, and last page.

Do it now: Add page numbers starting on page 2 in under 2 minutes.
Add Page Numbers Get Lifetime Access ($49 one-time)

No monthly fees. No “daily quota” anxiety. Just clean PDFs.

Common recipes (real-world use cases)

These are the exact scenarios people search for—copy the recipe that matches your job.

Recipe 1: Skip the cover page (start on page 2)

  • Start from Page = 2
  • Start Number = 1
  • Number Format = 1, 2, 3...
  • Position = Bottom Center

Recipe 2: Start numbering on page 3 (cover + table of contents)

If your PDF has a cover (page 1) and a table of contents (page 2), you probably want the body to start on page 3.

  • Start from Page = 3
  • Start Number = 1

Recipe 3: Keep physical numbering (page 2 should display “2”)

Some filings and binders prefer the printed number to match the physical page count.

  • Start from Page = 2
  • Start Number = 2

Recipe 4: Continue numbering after inserting pages (start at 15, not 1)

Example: you inserted new pages into a packet but need numbering to continue from a previous version.

  • Start from Page = 1
  • Start Number = 15 (or whatever your next number should be)
  • Optional: Prefix “Doc-” to show “Doc-15” style identifiers

Recipe 5: Skip blank pages (and keep numbering clean)

If your PDF contains blank pages that should not receive printed numbers, you have two good approaches:

Option A: Use Skip Pages (fast)

Add blank page numbers to the "Skip Pages" field (use ranges where possible). Example: 2,6,11-12

Option B: Remove blanks first (cleanest)

Delete blanks with Delete Pages, then run page numbering so you don't have to maintain a skip list.

Recipe 6: Roman numerals for the intro + regular numbers for the body

This is a “professional publishing” pattern: i, ii, iii… for front matter, then 1, 2, 3… for the main document. Most single-run page numbering tools only apply one format at a time, so use a 3-step workflow:

  1. Split your PDF into two files:
    • Front matter PDF (e.g., pages 1–3)
    • Body PDF (e.g., pages 4–end)
    Use: Extract Pages or Split PDF.
  2. Number the front matter:
    • Number Format = i, ii, iii...
    • Start from Page = 1
    • Start Number = 1
  3. Number the body:
    • Number Format = 1, 2, 3...
    • Start from Page = 1
    • Start Number = 1
    Then merge both files back together using Merge PDF.

Recipe 7: Number a “packet” made from multiple PDFs (best practice)

If you’re compiling exhibits, invoices, appendices, or attachments:

  1. Combine everything into one PDF first: Merge PDF
  2. Then add page numbers to the merged file: PDF Page Numbers

This avoids mismatched numbering and saves you from numbering each file separately.

Troubleshooting: the common “why does this look wrong?” issues

Problem: The page numbers overlap text in the footer

  • Try a different position (Top Right often avoids dense footers)
  • Reduce font size slightly
  • Use a lighter color (dark gray) if the page already has heavy black footer elements

Problem: The cover page still gets a number

  • Double-check Start from Page is 2 (not 1)
  • If your PDF has a blank first page, remove it first with Delete Pages

Problem: My scanned PDF pages are sideways

Rotate first, then number: Rotate PDF. If the scan has huge margins, crop first: Crop PDF.

Problem: My PDF is too large / slow to process

If your file is heavy (especially scans), compress it first: Compress PDF.

Problem: My PDF is password-protected

Unlock it (with permission), add page numbers, then protect it again if needed:

Privacy & secure document processing

Page numbering often happens on sensitive files (contracts, HR docs, medical forms, invoices). That’s why it’s worth choosing tools that treat privacy as a default—not an upsell.

Practical privacy tips:
  • Only upload what you need (remove unrelated pages first)
  • Redact sensitive info before sharing: Redact PDF
  • Protect final PDFs before emailing: PDF Protect

Subscription vs lifetime: stop paying to number pages

Page numbering is a “small” feature—until you need it repeatedly for work, class, or client packets. That’s when subscription fatigue kicks in: you do a simple task and suddenly you’re thinking about recurring fees, daily limits, and upgrade prompts.

Subscription approach (common pattern)

  • Free tier works for light use
  • Then: limits, batching restrictions, or prompts to upgrade
  • “Unlimited processing” is typically a paid tier

Lifetime approach (LifetimePDF)

  • Pay once, use forever
  • Number pages whenever you need—no monthly fees
  • Build a full workflow: merge → number → protect → share
LifetimePDF is $49 one-time. Unlock 15+ tools (plus AI features) with no monthly fees.
Get Lifetime Access Read: Why Lifetime Beats Subscriptions

If you number pages even occasionally, lifetime pricing is often the simplest long-term choice.

FAQ (People Also Ask)

How do I add page numbers to a PDF starting on page 2?

Open a page numbering tool, upload your PDF, set Start from Page to 2, and set Start Number to 1 if you want page 2 to display “1.” Then choose position/style and export. Try it here: LifetimePDF PDF Page Numbers.

How do I skip the cover page when numbering a PDF?

Skip the cover by starting numbering on page 2 (Start from Page = 2) and choose what printed number should appear there (Start Number = 1 is most common).

Can I start numbering on page 3 instead?

Yes. Set Start from Page = 3 and Start Number = 1. This is common when you have a cover page and a table of contents you don’t want numbered.

Can I use roman numerals for the first pages?

Yes. Use the roman numeral format for the front section. If you need roman numerals for the introduction and regular numbers for the body, split the document into two PDFs, number each section, then merge them back together.

Does adding page numbers reduce PDF quality?

Usually no—page numbers are added as a clean text overlay. Still, it’s smart to spot-check a few pages after downloading, especially if the PDF contains tight footers or tables.

Ready to number your PDF?
Add Page Numbers Now Get Lifetime Access ($49 one-time)

LifetimePDF — Pay once. Use forever.

Published by LifetimePDF. Educational content only.