Where to find the page number tool in Word

Page numbers go into the header or footer of your document — the space at the very top or bottom of each page that repeats on every sheet. In Microsoft Word, you reach this tool through the Insert tab at the top of the screen. Click Insert, then look for the button labeled Page Number. It usually sits near other header and footer tools.

When you click Page Number, Word shows you a dropdown menu with four placement options: Top of Page, Bottom of Page, Page Margins, and Current Position. Most people choose either Top of Page or Bottom of Page depending on where they want the numbers to appear. Pick one, and Word automatically inserts the number into every page of your document.

If you are using Google Docs instead of Word, the process is similar but the menu path is different. Go to Insert at the top, then select Page number, and choose where you want it to appear. Google Docs will add it to every page at once.

Key Takeaways

  • Page numbers live in the header or footer — the repeating space at the top or bottom of each page — not in the main text.
  • In Word, click Insert > Page Number and choose whether you want numbers at the top or bottom of the page.
  • Word automatically places the same number format on every page and updates them if you add or delete pages.
  • You can start numbering from a page other than 1 by right-clicking the page number and selecting Edit Field or Format Page Numbers.
  • If your first page should not have a number (common for title pages), check the Different First Page option in the header and footer tools.

Choosing where page numbers appear

When you click Page Number in the Insert tab, Word gives you four location choices. Top of Page puts the number in the header, centered or aligned left or right depending on which style you pick. Bottom of Page does the same thing in the footer. Page Margins places the number in the outer edge of the page, useful if you are printing double-sided and want numbers on the outside of each sheet. Current Position puts the number wherever your cursor is sitting right now — usually not what you want, since it only adds a number to that one spot.

Most documents use either top or bottom placement. Bottom-of-page numbers are more common in formal writing like reports and theses. Top-of-page numbers work well for everyday documents. Pick whichever matches what you are writing.

Changing the number format and style

By default, Word uses straightforward Arabic numerals: 1, 2, 3, and so on. If you need Roman numerals (I, II, III), letters (A, B, C), or a different style, you can change this. Right-click on any page number in your document, then select Format Page Numbers. A dialog box opens showing you different number formats to choose from.

This same dialog also lets you start numbering from a number other than 1. If your document has a title page that should not be numbered, or if you are working on chapter 3 of a longer project and want to start at page 47, you can set that here. Select Start at and type the number you want to begin with.

Hiding the page number on your first page

Many documents — especially those with a title page or cover sheet — should not show a page number on the first page. Word has a built-in option for this. Double-click in the header or footer area to open the header and footer editing mode. You will see a tab or checkbox labeled Different First Page. Check that box, and Word will remove the page number from page 1 while keeping it on all other pages.

To get back to normal editing, click anywhere in the main text of your document, and the header and footer will close. Your page numbers will now skip the first page.

Removing or editing page numbers after you add them

If you decide you do not want page numbers anymore, double-click in the header or footer where the number appears. The number will be selected. Press Delete, and it disappears from every page. Word removes the entire field, not just the number itself.

If you want to keep page numbers but change where they appear, you will need to delete the old ones first, then insert new ones in the location you prefer. There is no "move" command — you delete and re-insert.

Page numbers in documents with multiple sections

Some documents are divided into sections — for example, a front matter section with Roman numerals and a main section with Arabic numerals. If your document has section breaks, you can set different page numbering for each section. This is more advanced, but the principle is the same: right-click the page number in the section you want to change, select Format Page Numbers, and adjust the format and starting number for that section only.

Before you do this, make sure the sections are actually separated by section breaks, not just page breaks. A page break just moves text to the next page; a section break lets you have different headers, footers, and page numbering. If you are not sure whether your document has section breaks, go to the Layout tab and look for the Breaks button to see what is in your document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my page numbers look different on different pages?

This usually means your document has section breaks and each section has different page number formatting. Open the header or footer and check whether you see a label like "Section 1" or "Section 2". If you do, each section is set up separately. Right-click a page number and select Format Page Numbers to make them consistent across sections.

Can I put page numbers only on some pages, not all?

Not directly — page numbers in headers and footers appear on every page by default. However, you can use section breaks to create sections where page numbering is off, then turn it back on in other sections. This is complex and usually not worth the effort for most documents.

What if I want the page number to say "Page 1 of 5" instead of just "1"?

In Word, click where your page number is, then go to Insert > Quick Parts > Field. Search for "numpages" and add it after your regular page number field. You can type "Page" before the number and "of" between them to create the full format you want.

Do page numbers update automatically if I add or delete pages?

Yes. Word updates page numbers every time you save or print. If you add five new pages in the middle of your document, all the numbers after that point shift up automatically. You do not have to do anything.

How do I remove page numbers from just the title page?

Double-click in the header or footer, then check the box for Different First Page. This removes the page number from page 1 only. All other pages keep their numbers.