Add a header or footer to a PDF — free, in your browser
Stamp a line of text on every page — a document title, a 'Confidential' note, or numbered pages with a prefix. No upload, no account.
What we found testing it
We added 'Confidential — draft' centered at the top of a 6-page brief, then on a second run added bottom-center page numbers with the prefix 'INV-' and 4-digit padding (INV-0001…). Both rendered correctly in every reader; the text sat inside the margin without overlapping body text.
How to use it
- Open the Add Header / Footer tool above and choose your PDF.
- Type the text (or leave it blank for numbers only).
- Pick the position: top or bottom, left/center/right.
- Optionally set a start number, a prefix (e.g. BA- or INV-) and zero-pad digits.
- Click Add header / footer — the file downloads.
Tips
Keep the text short (under ~60 characters) so it fits the margin. The font is a standard PDF sans at 10pt. If your pages have very small margins, use top placement to avoid overlapping body text.
FAQ
Is this free and private?
Yes. Everything runs in your browser; the file is never uploaded.
Can I add page numbers and text together?
Yes. Enter your text and a prefix/start number; the page number appends to your text on each page.
Is this Bates numbering?
It produces Bates-style labels (prefix + zero-padded number, e.g. BA-0001). It's a visual label, not a certified legal numbering system — fine for organizing document sets, but confirm with counsel for filed materials.
Can I put it at the top instead of the bottom?
Yes — top-left, top-center, top-right, and the three bottom positions are all available.
Will it overlap my text?
It sits in the margin (18–22pt from the edge). On pages with tiny margins, use a different position or shorten the text.