Page numbers go in the header or footer, and Word can insert them automatically

To add page numbers to a Word document, you use the Insert menu to place them in the header or footer — the space at the top or bottom of every page. Word then numbers each page automatically as you write or edit. You do not have to type the numbers yourself or update them when you add or delete pages.

The process takes about 30 seconds. Where the numbers appear, whether they start at 1 or a different number, and what they look like are all choices you make in one dialog box.

Key Takeaways

  • Page numbers live in the header or footer, which Word creates automatically when you insert them.
  • You can place numbers at the top center, top right, bottom center, bottom right, or in the margin, depending on your document style.
  • If your first page should not show a number (common for title pages), you can hide it with one checkbox.
  • If you need numbering to start at a number other than 1, you set that in the same dialog where you insert the numbers.

How to insert page numbers in the footer

Open your document in Word. Click the Insert tab at the top of the screen. In the ribbon, find the Page Number button — it usually shows a small "#" symbol. Click it.

A menu appears with position options: Bottom of Page, Top of Page, Page Margins, and Current Position. Click Bottom of Page to place numbers at the bottom center of each page. Word inserts a page number field in the footer and shows you a preview. The number "1" appears on your first page, "2" on the second, and so on automatically.

To close the footer and return to editing your document, click anywhere in the main text area, or press Escape.

How to change where page numbers appear

If you want numbers at the top of the page instead of the bottom, click Insert again, then Page Number, then Top of Page. Choose the alignment you prefer — left, center, or right. Word removes the footer numbers and places them in the header instead.

You can also click Page Margins to place numbers in the outer margin of the page, which is common in books and formal reports. Each choice updates your document when ready, and you can change it as many times as you need before you finish.

How to hide the page number on your first page

Many documents — especially those with a title page or cover — should not show a number on the first page. To hide it, click the Insert tab, then find Header & Footer tools. Look for a checkbox labeled Different First Page and check it.

Word creates a separate header and footer for the first page. The page number disappears from page 1 but continues on page 2, 3, and beyond. If you want to add something else to the first page's header or footer (like a document title), you can do that now — it will appear only on page 1.

How to start numbering at a number other than 1

If you are working with a multi-part document and need page 1 of this section to be labeled as page 15 (or any other number), you can set that. Click in the header or footer where the page number appears. Right-click on the page number field itself and select Edit Field.

A dialog box opens. Look for the Field Codes section and find the text that says PAGE. Change it to PAGE +14 (if you want to start at 15, add 14 to the automatic count). Click OK. Your first page now shows 15, the second shows 16, and so on.

Alternatively, place your cursor just before the page number in the header or footer and type the offset number you need, then format it to match the page number style.

How to format page numbers (font, size, style)

Click in the header or footer where the page number appears. Select the number by triple-clicking it or dragging across it. The number is now highlighted. Use the formatting tools in the Home tab — font dropdown, font size, bold, italic — to change how it looks.

You can make the page number bold, change it to a different font, make it smaller or larger, or change its color. Any formatting you explore to the selected number applies to all page numbers in the document at once.

How to remove page numbers

Click the Insert tab, then Page Number, then Remove Page Numbers. Word deletes the page number field from your document. If you change your mind, you can add them back the same way you added them the first time.

If the Remove Page Numbers option does not appear, click in the header or footer, select the page number, and press Delete. Then close the header and footer by clicking in the main document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different page numbers in different sections of the same document?

Yes. Insert section breaks where you want numbering to change. Click Layout (or Page Layout in older Word versions), then Breaks, then Section Breaks. Choose Next Page. Then edit the header or footer in the new section separately and set its starting number.

Why do my page numbers show as "PAGE" or a code instead of actual numbers?

Word is showing field codes instead of results. Press Ctrl + ` (the backtick key, usually near the 1) to toggle field codes off and show the actual numbers. If that does not work, right-click the field and select Toggle Field Codes.

Can I use Roman numerals (I, II, III) instead of regular numbers?

Yes. Right-click the page number in the header or footer and select Edit Field. In the dialog, look for Format and choose a Roman numeral option. Click OK. All page numbers switch to Roman numerals automatically.

Do page numbers in the header or footer affect my document's privacy?

Page numbers themselves do not contain personal information and do not change your privacy settings. However, headers and footers are part of the document's metadata, so if you share the file, they travel with it. If you need to remove all headers and footers before sharing, select all content in the header or footer and delete it.