KissPDF

Add PDF headers and footers online

Add Header and Footer to PDF Files Online

Insert document labels, report titles or custom text in one of six PDF header and footer positions.

Key Points

  • Six header and footer positions
  • Custom text labels
  • Selected page ranges
  • Optional extra margins

Capabilities

  • Live full-page preview
  • Three standard fonts
  • Custom text color
  • Local browser processing

Insert a header and footer in PDF documents

Give reports, manuals and printable documents a consistent label or title.

  • Add report titles
  • Apply document labels
  • Skip covers
  • Prepare branded documents for printing

Private by default

The selected PDF is processed in browser memory.

  • No signup
  • No document upload
  • No KissPDF watermark
  • Original file stays unchanged

How to add a header to a PDF file

Upload, customize and download.

1

Open

Choose the PDF you want to label.

2

Customize

Set the header or footer text, location, pages and appearance.

3

Download

Review the preview and save a separate PDF copy.

Practical guide

What to know before you start

Add custom headers and footers to PDF files online for free. Insert a searchable report title, document label or other fixed text, choose one of six positions, apply it to selected pages and optionally create extra margin space.

Add headers and footers to PDFs online

Use the PDF header and footer adder to place a report title, department name, confidentiality label or other repeating text at the edge of selected pages. The label is written as searchable vector text rather than flattening each page into an image.

  • Add fixed text labels
  • Repeat a title consistently
  • Choose selected pages
  • Preview every page before downloading

How to add a custom header to a PDF file

Upload the PDF, enter the label you want to repeat, and place it at the left, center or right of the header. The same controls can insert a footer. Placement respects rotated pages and the visible PDF crop area.

  • Header left, center or right
  • Footer left, center or right
  • Times, Helvetica and Courier fonts
  • Custom font size and color

Apply a document label only where it belongs

Leave the page field empty to repeat the label throughout the document, or enter a list, range, open range, odd or even. This makes it possible to omit a cover, apply a section label, or keep a footer off intentionally blank pages.

  • Ranges such as 1-10
  • Lists such as 2,4,6,10
  • Open ranges such as 12-
  • Odd-page and even-page filters

Keep labels clear of existing page content

Choose Increase margins to add white space on the selected header or footer edge before placing the label. The original document remains unchanged and processing happens locally in browser memory.

  • Optional header or footer margin
  • No PDF document upload
  • No account or watermark
  • Separate output file

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers based on how this tool actually works.

How do I add a header or footer to a PDF?

Choose a PDF, enter the text label, select its header or footer location, choose the pages and appearance, then select Add header/footer.

What text can I place in a PDF header or footer?

You can repeat a short report title, department name, confidentiality notice, document status or another fixed text label.

Can I add a header or footer only to certain pages?

Yes. Enter a range, list, odd or even. Leave the field empty to apply it to every page.

Can I leave the cover without a header?

Yes. Enter a page range beginning after the cover, such as 2-, so the label is added only to the remaining pages.

Does adding a header or footer cover existing content?

It can when content is close to the page edge. Choose Increase margins to create white space on the selected edge first.

Can I add letterhead to a PDF?

This tool adds text labels and page numbers to a PDF header or footer. For a graphical letterhead containing a logo or background design, use the PDF watermark tool instead.

Can this remove a header and footer from a PDF?

No. This workflow adds new header or footer text. Existing headers are often part of the PDF page content and cannot be removed safely as a separate object.

Are my PDF files uploaded?

No. Preview rendering, margin changes, text placement and PDF creation run locally in your browser.

Related PDF tools

Continue your workflow without uploading the document.

Add Page NumbersUse the dedicated numbering tool for Roman numerals, facing pages, totals, backgrounds and shadows.Bates Numbering PDFApply one continuous tracking sequence across multiple PDFs.Add Margins to PDFCreate custom white space around all four page edges.