Every page has a number, but they are not always shown. When they are shown, they are called folios.

Positioning of page numbers can vary depending on whether you are preparing a document for print or a PDF that will be published online.

If including the page count in the citation of the document on the imprint page, include blank pages, except those that have been included at the end of the document to provide the correct number of pages for printing.

Printed documents

In printed documents, right-hand (recto) pages take odd numbers and left-hand (verso) pages take even numbers. Do not place numbers on:

• the title page or reverse title page
• the part title page or its verso
• any other blank pages in the document (eg ends of chapters).

Traditionally, the table of contents and each new section or chapter started on a right-hand page; use an odd-page section break to do this. However, you might choose to start each section on the next page (whether right or left), depending on the publication.

If you start each section in the body of the document on a right-hand page, do the same for each appendix.

Often the preliminary pages (eg foreword, contents, executive summary) are numbered using lower-case roman numerals. Count page numbers from the title page (or from the half-title page if there is one). The first page with a folio (printed number) is the foreword; this will be iii if the document has only a title page and a reverse title (imprint or copyright) page preceding it. Arabic numbers, starting at 1, begin on the first page of the main text, often the introduction, which is always a right-hand page. 

Some documents may use arabic numbers (ie without using roman numerals) throughout the preliminary pages and the main text. This especially applies to shorter documents and documents that will only be published online, rather than being printed.

The positioning of folios can affect that of headers and footers, and vice versa. On the first page of a section or chapter that begins on a new page, the folios may be omitted or repositioned.

Online PDFs

For documents published only online, for online viewing, use arabic numbers throughout. Count the cover as page 1, because this will allow the reader to skip to a correct page when they enter a page number in the PDF reader (ie the number they enter in the PDF reader will match the number on the page).

Position page numbers in the centre of the footer.

Because right and left pages are not relevant, start each section on the next page (ie do not use odd-page section breaks), so a reader scrolling through the PDF does not see blank pages.