Last modified: Jan 10, 2025 By Alexander Williams

Python PdfReader.getNumPages: Count PDF Pages

Working with PDFs in Python is easy with the PdfReader class. One useful method is getNumPages. It helps you count the number of pages in a PDF file.

This article explains how to use getNumPages. It also includes examples and tips for beginners. Let's dive in!

What is PdfReader.getNumPages?

The getNumPages method is part of the PdfReader class. It returns the total number of pages in a PDF file. This is useful for tasks like splitting or analyzing PDFs.

To use it, you need the PyPDF2 library. If you don't have it, check out our guide on how to install Python PdfReader.

How to Use PdfReader.getNumPages

First, install the PyPDF2 library. Then, import the PdfReader class. Open a PDF file and call getNumPages to count its pages.

Here's an example:


# Import PdfReader from PyPDF2
from PyPDF2 import PdfReader

# Open the PDF file
reader = PdfReader("example.pdf")

# Get the number of pages
num_pages = reader.getNumPages()

# Print the result
print(f"The PDF has {num_pages} pages.")
    

The PDF has 10 pages.
    

In this example, the code reads a PDF file named example.pdf. It then prints the total number of pages.

Common Errors and Fixes

Sometimes, you might encounter errors. For example, you could see "No module named PdfReader". This means the PyPDF2 library is not installed.

To fix this, install the library using pip. For more details, read our guide on fixing the "No module named PdfReader" error.

Practical Use Cases

The getNumPages method is helpful in many scenarios. For example, you can use it to split a PDF into smaller files. Or, you can check if a PDF meets a page limit.

If you need to extract specific pages, check out our guide on using PdfReader.getPage.

Conclusion

The PdfReader.getNumPages method is a simple yet powerful tool. It helps you count pages in a PDF file quickly. With this knowledge, you can handle PDFs more efficiently in Python.

Remember to install the PyPDF2 library and handle errors properly. Happy coding!