Add Header and Footer to PDF — Free Online Tool

Professionalize your documents by adding custom headers, footers, and automatic page numbering to your PDFs. Our secure, encrypted cloud processing ensures high-quality branding for legal, academic, and business reports.

Upload your PDF document

Securely add branding and navigation elements instantly

Supported: PDF

Configuration

Visual Appearance

10px
#444444
20px

Selective Range

How to Add Header and Footer to PDF Online (Step-by-Step)

Securely brand your documents in seconds without expensive software like Adobe Acrobat.

1

Upload PDF

Securely upload your document or drag & drop directly into the tool.

2

Add Content

Type your custom header/footer text and choose date or page numbering.

3

Set Styling

Adjust font size, color, and positioning to match your document style.

4

Choose Range

Apply to all pages or select a specific range for professional branding.

5

Download

Click apply and download your safe, watermarked PDF instantly.

Powerful PDF Branding Features

Everything you need for professional document management in one free tool.

Custom Text & Labels

Add case references, confidentiality stamps, or document titles to any margin.

Automatic Page Numbering

Generate dynamic page numbers (e.g., Page 1 of 10) for easier document navigation.

Precision Layout Control

Adjust margins, alignment, and spacing to ensure text never overlaps important content.

Privacy-First Architecture

Secure TLS encryption for all file transfers with automatic permanent deletion from our servers within 24 hours.

High-Speed Processing

Add headers and footers to large PDFs instantly with our optimized browser-side engine.

Fully Mobile Responsive

Work on the go from your iPhone, Android, or tablet without needing any app installation.

Common Use Cases

See how professionals use Plainscan to organize and protect their documents.

Legal & Contract Management

Add case numbers, client references, and strict confidentiality notices to document headers. Ensure every page is numbered for courtroom or archival compliance.

Academic & Research Papers

Stamp your name, submission date, and university department on every page. Use page numbering to maintain coherence in long research documents or theses.

Business & Financial Reports

Add company branding, "Draft" status watermarks, or internal tracking IDs. Professional footers help keep multi-page financial statements organized.

Invoices & Billing

Stamp invoice IDs or "PAID" notices across headers. Add contact information and payment terms to footers for clear, consistent customer billing.

Plainscan vs. Other PDF Tools

Why thousands are switching to our privacy-first browser tools.

FeaturePlainscanAdobe AcrobatiLovePDF
Secure Cloud ProcessingYESStandardStandard
Automatic File DeletionStandardStandard
TLS EncryptionYESStandardStandard
100% Free ForeverYESPaid SubscriptionFreemium Limits
Secure Account & DashboardYESPaid OnlyOptional

Frequently Asked Questions

1Is it free to add headers and footers to a PDF?

Yes. Plainscan's PDF Header & Footer tool is 100% free for all registered users. Simply create a secure account to access our full suite of professional PDF tools.

2Are my PDF files safe when using this tool?

Absolutely. We use industry-standard TLS encryption for all file transfers. Your documents are processed on our secure servers and are automatically purged within 24 hours of completion to ensure your total privacy.

3Can I add page numbers like 'Page 1 of 10'?

Yes. By enabling the 'Automatic Page Numbers' switch, the tool will automatically calculate and stamp page numbers in a professional format on every page.

4Can I customize the font size and color?

Yes. The configuration sidebar allows you to adjust the font size from 8px to 32px and choose any custom hex color for your text.

5Does this tool work on specific pages only?

Yes. You can use the 'Page Range' settings to define exactly which pages should receive the header and footer branding.

6Is there a file size limit for PDFs?

Our secure cloud processing supports files up to 50MB for free users. For larger documents or high-volume processing, consider a Pro plan.

7Can I add both a header and a footer at the same time?

Yes. You can enter text for both the top (header) and bottom (footer) margins simultaneously before applying the changes.

8How do I remove a header or footer?

Once applied, the header/footer is permanent in the new file. We recommend keeping your original file and downloading the updated version as a separate document.

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