Sidnummer

Sidnummer is the numeral that identifies the position of a page within a document, book, report, or digital file. It is usually printed in the header or footer and serves navigation, reference, and indexing purposes. In traditional publishing, front matter such as the title page, dedication, and table of contents often uses Roman numerals (i, ii, iii), while the main text begins with Arabic numerals starting at 1. Some publications omit page numbers on certain pages, such as the title page or blank pages. Page numbering may be continuous across chapters or restart with each chapter according to the style used, and it may be suppressed on introductory pages by design.

In digital formats, numbering behaves differently. PDFs preserve fixed page numbers, while reflowable e-books map pagination to font size and screen, sometimes offering location numbers rather than page counts. E-readers may display multiple pagination schemes or none at all, which can affect precise citations.

In scholarly and professional writing, page numbers support precise citations, allow readers to locate quoted passages, and appear in style guides and bibliographies. They are often accompanied by a running header with author or chapter information. The exact placement and format of sidnummer are dictated by publishing conventions and organizational style guides.

Linguistically, sidnummer is the Danish and Norwegian term for "page number," with cognates in related Scandinavian languages. The concept is universal: a simple, repeatable identifier that anchors pages within a document.