Page numbers go in the header or footer, and Google Docs adds them in three clicks

Open your document. Click Insert in the menu bar, then Page number, then choose where you want the numbers to appear — top of page, bottom of page, or in the margins. Google Docs will number every page automatically from that point forward. You can change the starting number, remove numbers from the first page, or use different numbering styles (1, 2, 3 or i, ii, iii or a, b, c) using the same menu.

The numbers update themselves if you add or delete pages, so you do not have to renumber manually. If you only want numbers on some pages — for instance, starting on page 2 instead of page 1 — you can do that too by breaking your document into sections.

Key Takeaways

  • Page numbers are added through Insert > Page number and appear in the header or footer automatically.
  • Google Docs renumbers the entire document when you add or remove pages, so the numbers stay correct without your help.
  • You can start numbering on page 2 by using the section break feature to separate the first page from the rest.
  • Different numbering styles (Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, letters) are available in the same menu where you insert the numbers.

Where page numbers appear and how to choose

When you click Insert > Page number, a submenu shows you four options: top of page (center), top of page (right), bottom of page (center), and bottom of page (right). Pick whichever matches what you need. The number will appear in the header or footer area — the blank space at the very top or very bottom of each page.

Most academic papers and formal documents put page numbers at the bottom center or bottom right. Novels and books often put them at the top outside corner (top right on right-hand pages, top left on left-hand pages). There is no single rule; choose what looks right for your document.

Changing the numbering style or starting number

After you insert page numbers, you can change how they look. Click Insert > Page number again, and this time select More options at the bottom of the submenu. A panel opens on the right side of your screen.

In that panel, you can pick a different numbering format: standard Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3), uppercase Roman numerals (I, II, III), lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii), uppercase letters (A, B, C), or lowercase letters (a, b, c). You can also change the starting number — for instance, if you want page 1 to show as page 5, you can set that here. Type the number you want to start with and click explore.

Removing page numbers from the first page

Many documents — especially formal ones like essays or reports — do not show a page number on the title page or cover page. To hide the number on the first page only, click anywhere in the header or footer area of page 1. A toolbar appears above it.

Look for a checkbox labeled Different first page and check it. Google Docs will remove the page number from page 1 while keeping it on all other pages. The rest of your document continues numbering normally.

Using section breaks to start numbering on page 2

If you want page 1 to have no number at all, and page 2 to start as "1", you need to use a section break. Click at the end of page 1 (after your title or cover page content). Go to Insert > Break > Section break. This splits your document into two sections.

Now click in the header or footer of page 2. Go to Insert > Page number and add the numbers. Then open the page number options again and change the starting number to 1. Page 1 will have no number, and page 2 will show as page 1. This method is more work than the "Different first page" option, but it is the only way to actually change what number page 2 displays as.

What happens when you edit your document

Once page numbers are in place, Google Docs handles them automatically. If you add three new paragraphs and push content to a new page, the page numbers update when ready. If you delete a page, the numbers shift down. You never have to touch them again unless you want to change the style or starting point.

This automatic updating is one of the main reasons to use page numbers in Google Docs instead of typing them by hand. A document with hand-typed numbers becomes wrong the moment you edit it.

Removing page numbers

To remove page numbers entirely, click in the header or footer where they appear. Select the page number text (it usually shows as a small box or bracket). Press Delete or Backspace. The page numbers disappear from the entire document.

If you want to remove them from only some pages, you will need to use section breaks to separate those pages from the rest, then delete the numbers from each section individually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put page numbers in the margin instead of the header or footer?

Google Docs does not offer a margin option directly in the page number menu. However, you can insert a text box in the margin and type the page number manually, or use a header or footer positioned at the very edge of the page, which creates a similar effect.

Why do my page numbers look different on different pages?

This usually happens when you have used section breaks and applied different formatting to each section. Check whether you have a "Different first page" setting turned on, or whether sections have different headers or footers. Click in the header or footer area and look at the toolbar to see what settings are active.

Can I start numbering at a number other than 1?

Yes. Insert page numbers, then click Insert > Page number > More options. In the panel on the right, find the field that says "Start at" and type the number you want. Click explore. Page 1 will now display as whatever number you entered.

Do page numbers show up when I print or read my document?

Yes. Page numbers print and appear in PDFs, Word documents, and other read formats. They are part of the document itself, not just a display feature in Google Docs.

What if I only want numbers on some pages, not all of them?

Use section breaks to divide your document into parts. Insert page numbers in the sections where you want them, and remove them from the sections where you do not. Each section can have its own header and footer settings.