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I want no number on the cover but the second page to read Page 2 of 10, not Page 1 of 9; which settings do that?

Type 2-10 in the pages field and change Start number from 1 to 2. The cover stays unnumbered, the second page reads 'Page 2 of 10' and the last reads 'Page 10 of 10'. It works because the total in this tool is the last number printed, so starting at 2 makes the total 10, which is the real page count of the file.

Published · 3 min read

Two valid ways to count a cover

Neither result is wrong. They are two conventions, and what matters is choosing one on purpose:

  • Cover counted but not printed on: the number matches the page position in the file. When a client says 'page 6', you find it at page 6 in any PDF reader, which helps with contracts and quotations discussed over the phone or WhatsApp.
  • Cover left out of the count: the content runs from 1 to 9. This is common in printed booklets and reports, where the cover is treated as separate from the text.

The settings that give 'Page 2 of 10'

  1. Open PDF page numbering and choose your 10-page file.
  2. Pick the format Page {n} of {total}.
  3. Type 2-10 in the pages field, or instead leave it empty and tick Skip the first page. Both leave page 1 untouched.
  4. Change Start number to 2. This is the step people miss.
  5. Read the summary line under the settings: it should say 9 of 10 pages will be numbered and that the first label, on page 2, is 'Page 2 of 10'. Then press Add numbers.

Why the default gives 'Page 1 of 9'

The default start number is 1, and the tool gives it to the first numbered page wherever that page sits in the file. If the range starts at page 2, that page gets 1. The total is worked out as start number + numbered pages − 1, so 1 + 9 − 1 = 9. With a start number of 2 it becomes 2 + 9 − 1 = 10.

In other words, the start number sets the total as well as the first number. So do not try to patch 'of 9' with a custom template that hardcodes 10: it runs, but page 2 still carries 1 and you end up with 'Page 1 of 10', the worst of both conventions.

Close variations

  • Cover plus an unnumbered contents page: range 3-10 and start number 3, so page 3 reads 'Page 3 of 10'.
  • Front and back cover: range 2-9 and start number 2. The total is then 9, not 10, because page 10 is not numbered; if you want 'of 10', type it into a custom template such as Page {n} of 10.
  • If you set the start to 2 but leave page 1 inside the range, the cover itself gets 2, so always check the line that names the first numbered page.

Common questions

Does anything change on the cover page?

No. Pages outside the range get nothing added at all, so they stay exactly as they were.

Can I see the result before downloading?

Yes. A preview of the numbered pages appears after the run, and the result line states the first and last label.