Page numbers in LaTeX
LaTeX numbers pages automatically. Use \pagenumbering and \pagestyle to control style and position.
Quick answer
latex
% Remove page numbers:
\pagestyle{empty}
% Roman numerals (i, ii, iii):
\pagenumbering{roman}
% Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3):
\pagenumbering{arabic}Page styles
latex
\pagestyle{plain} % number at bottom center (default in article)
\pagestyle{headings} % number in header with section title
\pagestyle{empty} % no header or footer
\pagestyle{myheadings} % custom header text
% Affects only the current page:
\thispagestyle{empty} % common on title pageNumbering styles
latex
\pagenumbering{arabic} % 1, 2, 3, ... (default)
\pagenumbering{roman} % i, ii, iii, ...
\pagenumbering{Roman} % I, II, III, ...
\pagenumbering{alph} % a, b, c, ...
\pagenumbering{Alph} % A, B, C, ...Thesis: front matter + main body
A common thesis pattern: roman numerals for the front matter (TOC, abstract), then arabic from Chapter 1.
latex
\begin{document}
\pagenumbering{roman}
\thispagestyle{empty} % no number on title page
\tableofcontents
\newpage
\listoffigures
\newpage
% Switch to arabic at chapter 1:
\pagenumbering{arabic}
\setcounter{page}{1}
\chapter{Introduction}
...
\end{document}Set starting page number
latex
% Start numbering from a specific value:
\setcounter{page}{5}
% Get the total number of pages (requires lastpage package):
\usepackage{lastpage}
Page \thepage{} of \pageref{LastPage}Custom position with fancyhdr
For full control over header/footer placement, use the fancyhdr package.
latex
\usepackage{fancyhdr}
\pagestyle{fancy}
\fancyhf{} % clear all fields
% Page number in bottom right:
\fancyfoot[R]{\thepage}
% Section name in header left:
\fancyhead[L]{\leftmark}