How to Add Custom Page Numbers in Google Docs

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to add page numbers in Google Docs and customize their position, format, and starting number. You’ll learn how to insert page numbers in the header or footer, skip the first page, start numbering from a specific page, and use different formats like Roman numerals.

What You’ll Need

A Google account and access to Google Docs.
A document where you want to add page numbers.
Basic familiarity with Google Docs menus.

Step-by-Step

Open your document in Google Docs.
Click Insert in the top menu, then hover over Page numbers.
In the submenu, you’ll see four preset options:
- Top left – page number in the top-left corner.
- Top right – page number in the top-right corner.
- Bottom left – page number in the bottom-left corner.
- Bottom right – page number in the bottom-right corner.
Click one of these to insert page numbers with default settings.
To customize further, click More options at the bottom of the submenu. A dialog box opens.
In the dialog box, choose:
- Position: Header or Footer.
- Number format: 1, 2, 3 or i, ii, iii (Roman numerals).
- Show on first page: Check or uncheck to hide the number on the first page (common for title pages).
- Start at: Enter a number to start numbering from (e.g., start at 1 on the second page).
Click Apply.
To change the font, size, or style of the page number, double-click the header or footer area where the number appears. Highlight the number and use the formatting toolbar to adjust it.
To add text next to the page number (like “Page 3”), double-click the header/footer, type “Page ” before the number, and press Tab to align if needed.
To remove page numbers, go to Insert > Page numbers > None.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to uncheck “Show on first page” when you want a title page without a number.
Using the wrong starting number – if you want the second page to be “1”, you must set “Start at” to 0 in the options, then the second page shows 1.
Editing the header on one page – headers and footers are linked across the document by default. To have different numbering in sections, you must insert section breaks and unlink headers.
Typing page numbers manually – these won’t update automatically. Always use the Insert > Page numbers feature.

Tips

Use Roman numerals for front matter (like an introduction) and switch to Arabic numbers for the main content – this requires section breaks and unlinked headers.
To start numbering from a specific page, place your cursor at the beginning of that page, go to Insert > Break > Section break (next page), then in the header of that section, unlink from previous, and set the start number.
If you need the page number in the format “Page X of Y”, use the field codes: type “Page ” then insert the page number field, type ” of “, then insert the total pages field (Insert > Page numbers > More options > then use the “Page X of Y” preset if available, or manually type and insert the total page count field).
Customize the header/footer text size and spacing by adjusting the header/footer margin in File > Page setup.

Troubleshooting

Page numbers not showing: Make sure you are in Print Layout view (View > Show print layout). Also check that the header/footer is not hidden (View > Show header/footer).
Numbers start at the wrong number: Go to Insert > Page numbers > More options and check the “Start at” value. If you have multiple sections, each section may have its own start number.
Can’t unlink header from previous section: Double-click the header in the section you want to change. In the toolbar, click Link to previous to toggle it off (it should become grey). Then you can edit the header independently.
Page numbers appear on the first page but you don’t want them: Open More options and uncheck “Show on first page”. If you have multiple sections, do this for each section.
Page numbers are not updating after edits: Page numbers are automatic; they should update. If not, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different page number formats in the same document?

Yes. Use section breaks. Go to Insert > Break > Section break (next page). Then in the new section, unlink the header/footer from the previous one, and set a different number format via Insert > Page numbers > More options.

How do I start page numbers on page 3?

Insert a section break at the beginning of page 3. Then in the header/footer of that section, unlink from previous, and set “Start at” to 1. The first two pages will have no numbers (or you can set them separately).

Can I put page numbers in the middle of the page?

Yes. Insert a page number in the header/footer, then use the alignment buttons (left, center, right) to position it. For vertical centering, you’d need to place the number in the body, but that’s not recommended as it won’t stay on each page automatically.

How do I add a page number like “Page 3 of 10”?

Go to Insert > Page numbers > More options. There is a preset for “Page X of Y” in some versions. If not, type “Page ” in the header, then insert the page number field, type ” of “, then insert the total pages field (Insert > Page numbers > then select the total pages option if available, or use the “Page count” field from Insert > Field).

Why do my page numbers show as “1” on every page?

This usually happens when the header/footer is linked to the previous section and the section’s start number is set incorrectly. Unlink the header/footer from previous and set the start number to 1.

Can I remove page numbers from just one page?

Yes, but it’s tricky. You need to split the document into sections around that page, then unlink the header/footer for that section and delete the page number there. Alternatively, you can hide the header/footer on that page by making it a different section and leaving it empty.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.