Front matter is numbered in lower-case roman numerals so that late changes to it cannot repaginate the rest of the book. The prelims are the last part of a book to settle, and keeping them in their own sequence means a dedication added at the eleventh hour does not shift every page number in the text or invalidate the index.
It is a production decision, not a decorative tradition, and both major style authorities say so explicitly.
The Reason, From the Authorities
New Hart's Rules states it in a single sentence: preliminary pages are numbered in roman "so that any late changes to the content or extent of the prelims will not affect the pagination of the main text."
The Chicago Manual of Style's editors give the same answer with the consequences spelled out, in a free Q&A entry: "Chicago books use roman numerals for front matter because it's still common for pages to be inserted or deleted after the book is typeset (a dedication page is suddenly needed; a promised preface doesn't arrive), and having to repaginate the entire book is expensive. In addition, a change in pagination in late production could cause inaccuracies in the index."
That second sentence is the part most explanations miss. An index is a list of page numbers. Repaginating the book after the index is compiled does not just shift the numbers, it silently makes every entry wrong.
What This Means in Practice
Every page is counted, even when no number is printed. This is the single most misunderstood part of the scheme. New Hart's Rules: "All pages are counted in the pagination sequence, but the folio is not shown on some pages." The half title is page i whether or not you can see it.
Arabic numbering restarts at 1 with the text. Not at the first page of the book. The front matter runs i, ii, iii and so on, then the main text begins again at 1.
Where exactly page 1 falls is a judgement call. Usually it is chapter one, but an introduction that forms part of the argument can be page 1 instead. Cornell University Press tells authors to number consecutively "starting with the first page of the introduction or chapter 1". Chicago devotes an entire section, titled "Determining page 1", to the question, which tells you it is not automatic.
Back matter continues the arabic sequence. There is no third sequence. Appendices, notes and the index carry straight on from the last page of the text.
Which Pages Show No Number
Conventionally the half title, title page, copyright page, dedication and epigraph carry no printed folio, along with blank pages, full-page illustrations, and pages turned to landscape. A chapter opening usually moves its number to the foot of the page rather than dropping it entirely, which is called a drop folio.
None of these pages lose their number. They simply do not display it. See what a folio is for the terminology.
Doing This in Deckle
Deckle handles the two sequences automatically. Everything before your first chapter numbers in lower-case roman numerals, and the count restarts at arabic 1 at the chapter, matching the convention described above.
There is a Restart page numbering at Chapter One toggle in Advanced print settings if you want the older behaviour of one continuous arabic sequence through the whole book. It is independent of whether chapters start on a right-hand page.
One thing to know about how Deckle decides where the switch happens: it restarts at the first chapter that comes after your last front matter document. If you place a chapter-type document above your copyright page or contents, for example a prologue, Deckle treats it as front matter and numbers it in roman. Moving it below the front matter makes it arabic page 1. See ordering front and back matter.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking front matter pages are not counted. They are counted and simply not printed.
- Assuming page 1 is always chapter one. An introduction can be page 1 if it is part of the argument.
- Treating roman numerals as a stylistic flourish. They exist to protect the text's pagination and the index.
- Numbering the title page. It counts as page i but carries no printed number.
- Restarting numbering a second time in the back matter. Back matter continues the text's sequence.
- Expecting any of this in an ebook. Reflowable files have no fixed pages.
FAQ
Q: Do I have to use roman numerals for front matter? A: No, but the alternative costs you the protection. With one continuous sequence, adding a page to the prelims shifts every number in the book.
Q: Should the roman numerals be capital or lower case? A: Lower case. Capitals are conventionally used for part numbers, not for prelim pages.
Q: Does the cover count as page i? A: No. Pagination starts at the first page inside the book, conventionally the half title.
Q: Where does back matter numbering start? A: It does not start anywhere. It continues from the last page of the text.
Q: My printed book skips a number. Is that a fault? A: Almost certainly not. Blank pages and full-page images are counted but not numbered, so the printed sequence legitimately has gaps.