To add a page number and a header together in Word, double-click the top of the page to open the header, type your header text, press Tab to move to where the number should go, then choose Insert > Page Number > Current Position > Plain Number. Using Current Position is the key step: the other Page Number options replace whatever is already in the header.
Applies to: Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2016 on Windows and Mac. Last reviewed October 8, 2026.
Step 1: Open the header and type
- Double-click in the top margin of any page, or go to Insert > Header > Edit Header.
- Type your header text, such as a report title, your name or a company name.
Step 2: Add the page number where the cursor is
- Click where the number should go. The header has preset tab stops for the center and right edge, so press Tab once to reach the center or twice for the right.
- Go to Insert > Page Number > Current Position and choose Plain Number, or a style like Page X of Y.
- Double-click the body of the document to close the header.
The number updates automatically on each page.
Common layouts
Title on the left, number on the right
Type the title, press Tab twice, then insert the page number at Current Position.
Last name and page number on the right (MLA)
Select Home > Align Right, type your last name and a space, then insert the page number at Current Position. See how to set up MLA format in Word.
Three-part header
Use Insert > Header > Blank (Three Columns). Click each placeholder: left for a title, center for a date, right for the page number (inserted at Current Position).
Header text at the top, number at the bottom
Type the header, then close it and use Insert > Page Number > Bottom of Page. Headers and footers are separate, so this doesn’t affect your header text.
Add “Page 1 of 10”
At the cursor, type Page and a space, choose Insert > Quick Parts > Field > Page, type of, then insert the NumPages field the same way. Or use the Page X of Y option under Current Position.
Different header on the first page
On the Header & Footer tab, tick Different First Page, then leave the first page’s header empty for a cover. See how to remove the page number from the first page. For headers that change between sections, see how to make different headers in Word, and to start numbering later, see how to start page numbers on page 3.
Style the header and number
- Font and size: select the header text and number and change them on the Home tab. Headers often look best a size or two smaller than body text.
- A line under the header: click in the header and choose Home > Borders > Bottom Border.
- Distance from the top: on the Header & Footer tab, change Header from Top, for example to 0.5″.
- Bold page number only: select just the number and press Ctrl+B; it stays bold on every page.
Change the number format
Go to Insert > Page Number > Format Page Numbers to switch to roman numerals or start at a different number. More options are in how to number pages in Word.
Troubleshooting
My header text disappeared when I added the page number
You used Top of Page, which replaces the header. Press Ctrl+Z and use Current Position instead.
Every page shows the same number
The number was typed rather than inserted as a field. Delete it and insert it again.
The number won’t line up on the right
The tab stops moved after a margin change. Use Header & Footer > Insert Alignment Tab and choose Right, aligned to the margin.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put the page number in the footer and text in the header?
Yes. They’re independent; set each one up separately.
Related: How to Add an Appendix in Word.
Related: How to Fix a Table of Contents in Word.
Related: how to stop page numbering in Word.
Related: how to change the font of page numbers in Word.
Related: how to have a header only on the first page in Word.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.