How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word (Step-by-Step)

This tutorial explains the basics of working with page numbers in Microsoft Word. We will begin by adding page numbers. Then, we will format page numbers, remove page numbers from the first page, and start the second page with page number 1.

Table of Contents

How to add page numbers
How to format page numbers
How to remove the page number from the first page
How to start the second page with page number 1

Do you want to start your page numbers on a specific page? Please see “How to Start Page Numbers on a Specific Page in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac).”

This tutorial is available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.

Watch more than 150 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel.

The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps will also work in Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word 2010. However, your interface may look slightly different in those older versions of the software.

Are you on a Mac? Please see “How to Add Page Numbers in Word for Mac.”

How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word

Important Note: Page numbers added to the top of the page or the bottom of the page will be inserted into the header or footer. The page numbers will replace any existing text placed in the same location within the header or footer. Therefore, you should add page numbers before adding other elements to the header or footer.

Select the Insert tab in the ribbon.

Insert tab in Word 365 — Figure 1. Insert tab

Select the Page Number button in the Header & Footer group.

Page Number button in the Insert tab of Word 365 — Figure 2. Page Number button

Select a location to insert the page numbers from the drop-down menu:

- Top of Page (in the header)
- Bottom of Page (in the footer)
- Page Margins
- Current Position

The Current Position option is the current location of your cursor in the header, footer, or body of the text. If the current position is in the body of the text, the page number will only appear on the current page. It won’t appear in the same location on other pages.

Page number menu in Word 365 — Figure 3. Page number menu

Select additional location and style options from the submenu. (The options will depend on the selection made in step 3.)

Page number submenu in Word 365 — Figure 4. Page number submenu

Your page numbers should appear immediately.

How to Format Page Numbers in Microsoft Word

This section shows how to change the number format, include chapter numbers, and start on a specific page.

Select the Insert tab in the ribbon (see figure 1).
Select the Page Number button in the Header & Footer group (see figure 2).
Select Format Page Numbers from the drop-down menu.

Format Page Numbers option in Word 365 — Figure 5. Format Page Numbers option

Select the options you want from the Page Number Format dialog box.

- Number format (e.g., numerals, letters, Roman numerals)
- Include chapter number (This option only works if you already established heading numbers.)
- Continue from previous section (When this option is selected, your sections will be number continuously. If you do not want the page numbers to continue from the previous section, select Start at.)
- Start at (This option will default to page 1. However, if you enter another number, such as 5, the page number 5 will appear on the first page of the document or first page of the section.)

Page Number Format dialog box in Word 365 — Figure 6. Page number format options

Select the OK button.

OK button in the Page Number Format dialog box on Word 365 — Figure 7. OK button

Your page number formatting should be applied immediately.

How to Remove the Page Number from the First Page in Microsoft Word

You may want to remove the page number from the first page because it is a title page or a cover page.

Select the Insert tab in the ribbon (see figure 1).
Select the Header or Footer button in the Header & Footer group. (Choose the location where your page numbers are located.)

Header and Footer buttons in Word 365 — Figure 8. Header and Footer buttons

Select Edit Header or Edit Footer from the drop-down menu.

Edit Footer option in Word 365 — Figure 9. Edit Footer option

Select Different First Page in the Options group in the Header & Footer tab.

Pro Tip: The Header & Footer tab only appears while you are working in headers or footers.

Different First Page option in Word 365 — Figure 10. Different First Page option

The page number on the first page should disappear. If the page number does not disappear, select it and press the Delete key to remove it manually.

How to Start the Second Page with Page Number 1 in Microsoft Word

After removing the page number from the first page, as shown in the previous section, you can force the second page to start with page number 1.

Select the Page Number button in the Header & Footer group.

Page Number button in the Header and Footer tab in Word 365 — Figure 11. Page Number button in the Header & Footer tab

Select Format Page Numbers from the drop-down menu (see figure 5).
Enter the number 0 into the Start at menu in the Page Number Format dialog box.