Add a header to every page of a PDF
A header is the line of text at the top of each page that tells readers what they are holding: the report title, the client or project name, a chapter heading, a “Confidential” label or the date of the draft. The Add Header to PDF tool puts that line on every page of an existing PDF — no word processor, no retyping and no reformatting of the original document.
You get three text boxes — left, centre and right — so you can build the classic layouts: title on the left and date on the right, a centred company name, or a chapter title with the page number at the outer edge. Placeholders such as {title}, {date} and {page} fill in automatically for each page, and a live preview shows the real page with the header drawn on it.
The PDF is edited in your browser and never uploaded, which matters for contracts, medical records, student work and anything else you would rather not hand to a server.
How to add a header to a PDF
- Drop your PDF onto the upload area or click to choose it. The first page appears in the preview.
- Type the header text in the Left, Centre and Right boxes. Click a box, then use the Insert buttons to add {page}, {pages}, {date}, {filename} or {title}.
- Choose the font, size, colour and date style, and set the distance from the top edge and the left/right margin.
- Optionally add a divider line under the header, skip the cover page, limit the header to certain pages or mirror left and right for a printed book.
- Step through the preview with the arrows, press “Add header” and download the PDF.
Add Header to PDF features
Three alignment slots
Left, centre and right texts are placed independently, so a title, a name and a date never fight for the same spot.
Smart placeholders
{page} and {pages} number the pages, {date} prints today’s date in five styles, {filename} uses the file name and {title} reads the PDF’s own title.
Book-style mirroring
Swap left and right on even pages so running heads and page numbers sit on the outer edge of a bound document.
Cover and range control
Leave the cover plain, start the numbering at any value and apply the header only to pages such as 3-48.
Works on rotated and landscape pages
The header follows the top edge as the page is displayed, so sideways scans and landscape tables get an upright header.
Any language
Latin text is added as real, searchable PDF text; Hindi, Chinese, Arabic and other scripts are drawn as a crisp image automatically.
Header ideas that work
Keep headers short. At 9–11 pt a line of about 90 characters fits across an A4 or US Letter page, so three slots of 25–30 characters each are a comfortable maximum.
| Document | Left | Centre | Right |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business report | {title} | {date} | |
| Client deliverable | Prepared for Acme Ltd | Confidential | |
| Thesis or book chapter | Chapter 3 · Methods | {page} (mirrored) | |
| Meeting pack | Board meeting | {date} | Item 4 |
| Exam or worksheet | Name: ____________ | Class 10 · Physics |
How the placeholders are filled
{page}— the page’s position in the PDF, counted from the value in “Number pages from”. Set it to 0 if a cover should count as page 0 so the first inside page shows 1.{pages}— the last page number, soPage {page} of {pages}reads “Page 12 of 12” on the final page.{date}— today’s date as 8 October 2026, 8 Oct 2026, 08/10/2026 (day first, common in India and the UK), 10/08/2026 (month first, common in the US) or ISO 8601 2026-10-08.{filename}— the file name without “.pdf”.{title}— the title stored in the PDF’s properties, falling back to the file name. Fix a missing or wrong title first with the PDF Metadata Editor.
Header, watermark or stamp?
A header is a small, neat line inside the top margin that is meant to be read on every page. A watermark is large, faint text across the middle of the page that labels the whole document, and a stamp is a bold mark such as “APPROVED” or “PAID” placed exactly where you choose. For a line at the bottom of each page — page numbers, file paths or copyright notices — use Add Footer to PDF.
Headers are drawn on top of the existing page content. If the PDF already has text in its top margin, increase the distance from the top edge or reduce the font size so the two do not overlap; the preview warns you when the three slots collide with each other.
Add Header to PDF FAQ
How do I add a header to a PDF for free?
Add the PDF, type your header text in the left, centre or right box, check the preview and press “Add header”. Download the new PDF — there is no sign-up, watermark or page limit.
Can I add a different header to odd and even pages?
You can mirror the header: with “Mirror left and right on even pages” ticked, the left and right texts swap places on even pages, which is how printed books put running heads on the outer edge.
How do I put the date in a PDF header?
Type or insert {date} in any box and choose a date style. The date used is today’s date on your device.
Can I skip the first page?
Yes. Tick “Skip the first page (cover)”, or type the pages you want in the Pages box, for example 3-40.
Will the header be searchable text?
Yes, for text in Latin-based languages: it is added as real PDF text in a standard font. Text in other scripts is drawn as an image because the built-in PDF fonts cannot display those characters.
Does adding a header change the rest of my PDF?
No. The header is added on top of each page; the existing text, images, links, bookmarks and form fields are kept.
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?
No. The header is added by your browser and the file never leaves your device.