To add custom page numbers in Google Docs, select Insert > Page elements > Page number > More options. There you can put the numbers in the header or footer, hide the number on the first page, start counting from any number, and apply the numbers to the whole document or just one section. To start numbering partway through, such as on page 3, add a section break first.
Applies to: Google Docs in a web browser. The mobile apps can show page numbers but have fewer options. Last reviewed October 7, 2026.
Before you start: switch to Pages format
Page numbers only work in Pages format. If your document scrolls as one long page with no page breaks, select File > Page setup, choose Pages and select OK.
Add basic page numbers
- Select Insert > Page elements > Page number.
- Choose one of the four previews: numbers in the top or bottom right, on every page or skipping the first page.
The number appears in the header or footer on every page. To move it to the center or left, click it and use the alignment buttons on the toolbar.
Customize page numbers with More options
- Select Insert > Page elements > Page number > More options.
- Under Position, choose Header or Footer, and tick or clear Show on first page.
- Under Numbering, choose Start at and type the first number, for example 5 if the document continues another one.
- Under Apply to, choose Whole document, This section or This point forward.
- Select Apply.
You can also open these options from an existing number: click in the header or footer, then select Options > Page numbers.
Start page numbers on page 2, 3 or later
To leave a title page or table of contents unnumbered:
- Click at the very end of the last page that shouldn’t have a number, for example the end of page 2.
- Select Insert > Break > Section break (next page).
- Click in the header or footer of the first page that should be numbered.
- Clear Link to previous, which appears in the header area once you have more than one section.
- Select Insert > Page elements > Page number > More options.
- Set Start at to 1, set Apply to to This section, and select Apply.
- Click into the header or footer of the earlier section and delete any number there.
If you only want to skip the first page, you don’t need a section break. Clear Show on first page instead.
Add “Page 1 of 10” style numbers
- Double-click the header or footer where you want the text.
- Type Page and a space.
- Select Insert > Page elements > Page number and choose a preview to insert the current number.
- Type a space, of and another space.
- Select Insert > Page elements > Page count.
Both numbers update as the document grows. If the number jumps to a different corner when you insert it, set its alignment again.
Style the page numbers
Page numbers are text, so select one and change the font, size, color or make it bold, just like any other text. Changing one number changes it on every page in that section.
Google Docs doesn’t offer other numbering formats such as Roman numerals (i, ii, iii). If you need them, for example for front matter in a thesis, write the document in Word, or download it as a Word file with File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx) and set the numbers there. Going the other way? See how to turn a Word doc into a Google Doc.
Troubleshooting
Page number isn’t in the Insert menu
The document is in Pageless format. Change it to Pages in File > Page setup.
“This section” isn’t available under Apply to
The document has only one section. Add a section break with Insert > Break > Section break (next page).
Changing numbers in one section changes them everywhere
Link to previous is still ticked in that section’s header or footer. Clear it, then set the numbers again.
A landscape page has the wrong number
Each orientation change creates its own section. Click in that section’s header or footer, open More options and choose Continue from previous section. See how to make Google Docs landscape.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove page numbers?
Yes. Double-click the header or footer, select the number and press Delete. Do this in each section that has its own numbers.
Do page numbers show when I download a PDF?
Yes. File > Download > PDF keeps the numbers exactly where they appear.
Related: change the margins in Google Docs.
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.