How to Remove Page Numbers in Google Docs (All, First Page, or One Section)

Page numbers in Google Docs live in the header or footer, and removing them takes only a few seconds once you know where to click. You can delete them from every page, hide the number on the first page only, or restart numbering in a later section. This guide covers each option, plus what to do if the numbers seem impossible to delete.

Quick Answer

Double-click the page number in the header or footer, select it, and press Delete (or Backspace). Google Docs removes it from every page. To hide it only on the first page, check Different first page in the header or footer and delete the number there.

Remove Page Numbers from All Pages

1. Open the document in Google Docs on a computer.
2. Double-click the page number at the top or bottom of any page. The header or footer area opens for editing.
3. Highlight the number and press Delete or Backspace.
4. Click in the body of the document or press Esc to close the header or footer.

Because page numbers are a single field that repeats, deleting one removes them from every page in that section.

Remove the Entire Header or Footer

If the header or footer only contains the page number, remove the whole thing: double-click it, click Options on the right, and choose Remove header or Remove footer. You can also use Format > Headers & footers for margin settings.

Hide the Page Number on the First Page

1. Double-click the header or footer on the first page.
2. Check Different first page.
3. Delete the page number that now appears only on page 1.

Or go to Insert > Page numbers > Page number options (or More options) and uncheck Show on first page.

Remove or Restart Page Numbers in One Section

1. Click where the new section should start and choose Insert > Break > Section break (next page).
2. Double-click the header or footer in the new section and uncheck Link to previous.
3. Delete the number in that section, or use Options > Page numbers to Start at a new number.

This is useful for title pages, tables of contents, or appendices.

On iPhone, iPad, or Android

1. Open the document and tap the pencil icon to edit.
2. Tap the three-dot menu and turn on Print layout so headers and footers show.
3. Tap the page number in the header or footer, select it, and delete it.

Troubleshooting

• No page numbers visible: the document may use Pageless format, which has no pages or headers. Switch with File > Page setup > Pages.
• Numbers come back: check each section separately; with Link to previous off, every section has its own footer.
• Number is typed text, not a field: if someone typed numbers manually, you’ll need to delete them on each page.
• Can’t edit the header: you may have View or Comment access only. Ask the owner for edit access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing page numbers affect my table of contents?

A table of contents with page numbers still calculates them. Only the visible numbers in the header or footer are removed.

How do I add page numbers back?

Go to Insert > Page numbers and pick a position.

Summary

1. Double-click the page number and press Delete.
2. Use Options > Remove footer to delete the whole area.
3. Check Different first page to hide it on page 1.
4. Use section breaks and unlink headers to change numbering in parts of a document.