Where to find the page number tool in Word
Page numbers go in the header or footer of your document — the space at the very top or bottom of each page that repeats on every sheet. To add them, open your document and click the Insert tab at the top of the ribbon. Look for the Page Number button, which usually sits near buttons for Header and Footer.
When you click Page Number, Word shows you placement options: Top of Page, Bottom of Page, Page Margins, or Current Position. Choose where you want the numbers to appear. Word will then show you a gallery of styles — you can pick a straightforward centered number, a number with a line, a number in a box, or several other designs.
Once you select a style, Word automatically inserts the page number into the header or footer and closes the header/footer editing area. Your document now has page numbers on every page, starting from page 1.
Key Takeaways
- Page numbers live in the header or footer, which means they repeat on every page automatically.
- The Insert tab contains the Page Number button, and clicking it shows you where to place numbers and what style to use.
- You can start numbering from a page other than 1 by right-clicking the page number and choosing Format Page Numbers.
- Removing page numbers means deleting them from the header or footer, not from the main document text.
- If your document has different sections, you can turn page numbers on or off for each section separately.
Starting page numbers from a number other than 1
By default, Word numbers your first page as page 1. If you need to start from a different number — for example, if this document is part of a larger report and should begin at page 15 — you can change the starting point.
Right-click on any page number in your document and select Format Page Numbers. A dialog box opens. Under "Page numbering," choose Start at and type the number you want. Click OK. Word will now number your pages starting from that number instead of 1.
This is useful when you are combining multiple Word documents into one larger file, or when you are submitting a chapter that is part of a longer work.
Removing page numbers
If you decide you do not want page numbers, do not try to delete them from the main document — they will not be there. Instead, go to the Insert tab, click Page Number, and select Remove Page Numbers at the bottom of the menu. Word deletes them from the header or footer across the entire document.
If you want to remove page numbers from only some pages, you will need to break your document into sections. This is more advanced, but it allows you to turn numbering off for a title page or introduction while keeping it on for the rest of the document.
Turning off page numbers for the first page only
Many documents — books, reports, formal letters — do not show a page number on the first page. Word has a built-in option for this. Go to the Insert tab, click Header or Footer (depending on where your page numbers are), and select Edit Header or Edit Footer.
A checkbox appears in the ribbon labeled Different First Page. Check this box. Word creates a separate header or footer for page 1, and your page numbers will no longer appear there — but they will still appear on every other page. The page numbering itself still counts page 1; it just does not display the number.
Page numbers in documents with multiple sections
If your document is divided into sections — which happens when you insert a section break — you can control page numbers separately in each section. This is useful if you want one part of your document to use Roman numerals (i, ii, iii) and another part to use regular numbers (1, 2, 3).
To do this, click inside the section where you want to change the numbering. Go to Insert > Page Number > Format Page Numbers. You will see an option that says Continue from previous section or Start at. Choose Start at and enter your number. You can also change the number format — click the Number format dropdown to choose Roman numerals, letters, or other styles.
Each section can have its own numbering style and starting point, as long as you set them up separately.
Positioning page numbers precisely
The Page Number menu gives you broad placement options, but sometimes you need more control. If you want your page number in a specific spot — far to the right, in a corner, or with particular spacing — you can edit the header or footer directly.
Go to Insert > Header or Footer and select Edit Header or Edit Footer. You are now in the header or footer editing area. Delete the existing page number if you want to start fresh. Click where you want the number to go, then go to Insert > Page Number and choose your style. You can now add text before or after the number, adjust spacing, or align it however you need.
When you are done, click outside the header or footer area to return to your main document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different page numbers in different parts of my document?
Yes, but only if you divide your document into sections first. Insert a section break where you want the numbering to change, then edit the page number format in each section separately. Each section can start at a different number or use a different numbering style.
Why do my page numbers look different on different pages?
This usually happens when you have edited the header or footer in different sections without realizing it. Click in the header or footer and look for a label that says "Same as Previous" — if it is not there, that section has its own header or footer. To make all headers and footers match, click the Link to Previous button in the ribbon.
Can I use page numbers with a custom header or footer?
Yes. Edit your header or footer, add your custom text (like a document title or date), and then insert the page number in the same header or footer. They will appear together on every page.
What if I want page numbers only on certain pages?
You need to use sections. Insert a section break before the page where you want numbering to start, then remove page numbers from the earlier sections. This requires editing the header or footer in each section separately.