How to Add Images to an Existing PDF

Two scenarios bring most people here: (1) you scanned a paper document with your phone and got a PDF back, then realized you also need to attach a JPG receipt to it; (2) you have a contract PDF and need to append a signed scan or a photo of an ID. Either way, the goal is the same — take an existing PDF and add one or more images as new pages, without redoing everything from scratch.

This guide compares three free ways to add images to a PDF, with notes on image fit, page size, and quality preservation.

Add to PDF vs Convert Images to PDF — Pick the Right Tool

Use Image to PDF when you have ONLY images and want a fresh PDF made from them.

Use PDF + Image when you already have a PDF and want to add images TO it as additional pages — what this guide covers.

Method 1: AllPDF.tools PDF + Image (Free, In-Browser)

1. Open AllPDF.tools PDF + Image.
2. Step 1: Drop your existing PDF.
3. Step 2: Pick one or more images (JPG, PNG, or WebP).
4. Step 3: Choose where to insert (after which page; 0 = at the start; default = at the end), and pick a fit mode:
   • Fit to page — preserve aspect ratio, center on page
   • Fill page — image covers the entire page (may crop)
   • Native size — page sized to match the image dimensions
5. Click Add Images to PDF and download.

Each image becomes its own page. The original PDF pages stay exactly as they were. Output file size grows by roughly the sum of the embedded image bytes.

Method 2: Adobe Acrobat Pro

1. Open the destination PDF.
2. Tools → Organize Pages → Insert → From File.
3. Acrobat will prompt to convert the image first if needed; pick the image, position it.
4. Save.

Acrobat handles a wider range of input formats (TIFF, BMP) than browser tools but the workflow is multi-step.

Method 3: Mac Preview

1. Open the PDF in Preview.
2. Show Thumbnails (View → Thumbnails).
3. Drag image files from Finder into the thumbnail strip at the position you want.
4. Save.

Free, native, no install (Mac only). Works for one-off inserts. For multi-image additions, the dedicated tool above is faster.

Common Questions

Will adding images make my PDF much larger?

The PDF grows by approximately the sum of the embedded image bytes. A 5 MB JPG adds ~5 MB to the PDF. To shrink, run the result through Compress PDF in Maximum Compression mode — the JPGs will be re-encoded at lower quality.

Why does my image look stretched/squished?

You picked the "Fill page" fit mode, which forces the image to cover the entire page even if the aspect ratio doesn't match. Switch to "Fit to page" for letterboxing that preserves shape, or "Native size" for an exact match.

Can I add a watermark image to every page (not as new pages)?

No, this tool inserts images as new pages. For an image overlay on existing pages (logo, signature stamp), use Watermark with an image-style watermark, or Sign PDF to drop a signature image at a chosen position.

What's the maximum number of images I can add?

Limited by your device's available memory. A modern laptop with 8 GB RAM handles 50+ image inserts comfortably. On phones, keep batches under 20 images for best performance.

Can I add an image to a password-protected PDF?

Unlock first via Remove Password, add your images, optionally re-protect.

Related: Convert images to PDF, Insert PDF pages, Merge PDFs.