How to Add Page Numbers in InDesign (+ Design Tips)

Adding page numbers to your InDesign documents helps keep your layout organized and makes it easier for readers to navigate your content.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of adding page numbers to your InDesign projects using Master Pages and automatic page numbering.

We’ll also share four tips on how to adjust and improve the page numbering in your document in some creative ways!

Use Master Pages to add page numbers

Master pages are a powerful feature in InDesign that allow you to create consistent formatting across multiple pages in your document. Follow these steps to add page numbers using Master Pages:

1. Open your InDesign document and go to the “Pages” panel (Window > Pages).
2. In the “Pages” panel, you’ll see two sections: the top section contains your Master Pages, while the bottom section displays your document pages. Double-click the Master Page (usually called “A-Master”) where you want to add the page numbers.
3. Select the “Type Tool” (T) on the toolbar and create a text frame where you want the page number to appear.
4. With the text frame selected, go to the “Type” menu and select “Insert Special Character” > “Markers” > “Current Page Number.” A placeholder letter (such as “A”) will appear in the text frame, representing the page number.
5. Format the text in the text frame to match your desired style (font, size, color, etc.).
6. Return to the “Pages” panel and drag the master page thumbnail to the pages where you want the page numbers...