What is Bates numbering?

A unique sequential identifier stamped on each page of a document set, used in legal discovery and records management so any page can be cited exactly.

Can I control the format, like SMITH-000042?

Yes — set the prefix, how many digits to pad the number to, and the starting number. A suffix is optional too.

Does it number across multiple files continuously?

This tool numbers one PDF at a time. To stamp a set continuously, merge the files first, then run Bates Numbering once on the combined PDF.

Bates Numbering

Stamp a sequential legal identifier like SMITH-000042 onto every page, in the corner you choose. Processed locally.

Read the Bates Numbering guide

Processed on your device

Upload a PDF to Bates Numbering

Drag and drop or click to select

Once bates numbering is done, you can send the result straight into another tool — merge, sign, compress, and more — without downloading and re-uploading.

Prefix

Digits

Start at

Suffix (optional)

First page will read 000001

Position

Works well with

Add Page Numbers to PDF

Number every page, starting wherever you like, in the corner you choose.

Watermark PDF

Stamp translucent text across every page, at a size and opacity you set.

Merge PDF

Combine multiple PDFs into a single file, in the order you set.

Bates Numbering

Works well with

Common questions

What is Bates numbering?

Can I control the format, like SMITH-000042?

Does it number across multiple files continuously?