Bates numbering is an identifier, not ordinary pagination: a fixed prefix and a unique number that lets two parties refer to the same page in a production set. The sequence must be deliberate, because a restart or a skipped file undermines the index.
Step by step
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1
Upload your files
Drag your PDFs onto the box, or click Choose files. The list can be reordered before you run anything.
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2
Set the options
Adjust style line, digits, bates sequence starts from and files counter starts from. Every field has a sensible default, so you can usually run the tool straight away.
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3
Run it and download
Press Bates Numbering and the page shows progress while it works. When it finishes you get a download link — nothing is emailed and nothing is stored longer than it needs to be.
Bates numbers vs page numbers
A page number is a reader convenience; a Bates number is a document identifier. Use Page Numbers for an ordinary report, and Bates when a case file, discovery set or exhibit bundle needs a number that survives across files. The prefix usually names the matter, party or production.
Digits, prefix and starting point
Set the number of digits to match the production convention —
six digits means 000001, not 1. Choose the
starting Bates number and the starting file counter separately. Keep
a record of the range assigned to each file so a later supplement
begins after the last used number instead of overlapping.
Check the sequence and the print
Open the first and last page and confirm the digits, prefix and position. Check the page where the file counter changes. Print one sheet to make sure the stamp is inside the printable margin and does not cover page content. If the sequence is wrong, re-run from the original; editing individual stamps by hand defeats the purpose.
Good habits for Bates Numbering
- The preview updates as you type, so you can judge spacing before running it.
- Leave a page range blank to apply to every page.
- Colours accept a hex value, so you can match an existing brand colour exactly.
Common questions
Is this tool free?
Yes. Every tool on this site is free to use, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily task limit.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The tools run in your browser and are processed by this server.
What happens to my files?
They are stored under an unguessable id and swept automatically after a couple of hours. Nothing is shared or indexed.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. The page pickers and editors are built for touch, so dragging, rotating and selecting pages all work without a mouse.
What does Bates Numbering do exactly?
Bates stamp multiple files at once.
Can I use Bates numbering on a scanned PDF?
Yes. The stamp is added to the page; OCR is not required, though a searchable scan is easier to review afterwards.
Can I continue a sequence across several files?
Start each file after the previous range. Record the start and end numbers so the production index stays consistent.
Does a Bates stamp change the PDF text?
It adds a visible stamp to the page. The original text remains; the stamp is the identifier.