How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word

If you are printing out a 50-page manuscript, an academic thesis, or a legal contract, you must number your pages. If you drop a stack of unnumbered printer paper on the floor, you will spend hours trying to reassemble the document in the correct order.

Do not attempt to fake page numbers by pressing “Enter” repeatedly and typing a number at the absolute bottom of every single page. The second you add a new sentence to page 1, every single “fake” page number will shift downward and ruin the formatting of your entire document. You must use Microsoft Word’s automated header and footer system.

Method 1: The Automated Page Number Button

This is the fastest and most standard way to inject ascending page numbers (1, 2, 3…) into your document.

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Look at the Ribbon at the top of the screen and click the Insert tab.
3. Look toward the right side of the ribbon for the “Header & Footer” section.
4. Click the Page Number button.
5. A drop-down menu will appear, asking you where you want the numbers to live.
   • Top of Page: Places the numbers in the Header (used frequently for MLA format).
   • Bottom of Page: Places the numbers in the Footer (the most common standard).
6. Hover your mouse over Bottom of Page. A secondary menu will slide out showing visual previews.
7. Select your preferred alignment (e.g., Plain Number 3, which places the number in the bottom right corner).

Word will instantly inject a grey “1” into the footer of your first page, a “2” on the second page, and so on. The main text of your document will turn grey, and the Header/Footer area will become active. To lock the numbers in and return to writing your essay, double-click anywhere in the main body of your text (or click the red “Close Header and Footer” button on the ribbon).

Method 2: How to Skip the Title Page (Start Numbering on Page 2)

In almost all academic and professional settings, the Cover Page (Title Page) should not have a massive “1” printed at the bottom of it. The numbering sequence should theoretically start on the second page of the document.

1. Follow Method 1 above to insert your page numbers.
2. While the Footer is still active (the main text is greyed out), look at the Ribbon. You should automatically be on the special Header & Footer tab.
3. Look in the “Options” section of the ribbon.
4. Check the box labeled Different First Page.

The “1” will instantly vanish from your title page. However, your second page will still be labeled with a “2.”

How to Make Page 2 Display the Number “1”

If your professor demands that the second physical piece of paper actually says “Page 1” at the bottom of it, you must tell Word to alter its mathematical starting point.

1. Ensure your page numbers are inserted.
2. Click Insert > Page Number.
3. Click on Format Page Numbers…
4. A small dialog box will open. Look at the very bottom under the “Page numbering” section.
5. Click the radio button next to Start at:.
6. Change the box to the number 0.
7. Click OK.

Because you told Word that the title page is technically “Page 0,” it will now label the second piece of paper as “Page 1.” Because you checked the “Different First Page” box in the previous step, the invisible “0” will never print.

Method 3: Include the Total Page Count (Page X of Y)

If you are drafting a legal contract (where it is critical to prove that no pages are missing), you should format your numbers to display the total length of the document (e.g., “Page 1 of 50”).

1. Click Insert > Page Number > Bottom of Page.
2. Scroll all the way down the massive list of visual previews.
3. Look for the section labeled Page X of Y.
4. Select one of the bold formatting options.

Word will automatically calculate the total length of the document. If you add 10 more pages later, the “Y” variable will automatically update itself on every single page.