What is a Bates number?

A unique number stamped on each page of a set of documents, usually a short prefix for the party or case followed by a zero-padded number, such as SMITH000123. It lets everyone refer to an exact page, and shows at a glance whether any pages are missing.

Does the numbering continue across several PDFs?

Yes. The files are numbered in the order listed, each starting where the previous one ended, and the list shows every file's range before you save. After saving, Number the next batch from here sets the start to the next free number for the following set.

Does it change anything else in the PDF?

No. The number and legend are added on top of each page; the text, pictures, bookmarks and form fields stay as they were, and the text stays searchable. The stamp itself is text in a standard PDF font.

What is the production log?

A spreadsheet-ready CSV listing each file with its page count and its first and last Bates number, often needed for a privilege log or a cover letter. It is in the ZIP when several files are numbered, and can be downloaded on its own.

Can it number a password-protected PDF?

Not directly: an encrypted PDF cannot be changed without its password. Remove the protection with Unlock PDF first, then number the unlocked copy.

Are my documents uploaded?

No. Discovery documents are often confidential, so everything happens in your browser: the PDFs are read, stamped and saved on your computer.

Stays on your computer How this works

Bates numbering for PDFs

Stamp every page of one or many PDFs with a running Bates number - prefix, zero-padded number and suffix, continuing from file to file - plus a CONFIDENTIAL legend if you need one. In your browser, with nothing uploaded

Drag & drop the PDFs here, or browse

One file or a whole production · numbered in the order listed · nothing is uploaded

About this Bates numbering tool

Bates numbering gives every page of a document set its own number, so each page can be cited exactly in litigation, discovery or an audit. This tool stamps a prefix, a zero-padded running number and an optional suffix on every page of one PDF or a whole production, continuing the count from one file to the next, and can add a confidentiality legend at the same time. Acrobat Pro charges for this; here it is free. It is free to use, with no account and no upload limit, and it runs entirely in your browser: nothing is uploaded, and while the page stays open, a feature you have already used keeps working offline.

What you can do

Number every page of one PDF or many, with the count running on from file to file
Set the prefix, the starting number, how many digits (000001), and a suffix
Put the number in any corner or centred at the top or bottom, with the margin, font, size and colour you choose
Add a white box behind the number so it reads over text or pictures
Add a legend such as CONFIDENTIAL or SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER in another position
See the first page stamped exactly as it will be saved before you save
Rotated and landscape pages get the number upright in the right corner
Download a production log (CSV) of each file's pages and Bates range, and carry on numbering the next batch

How to add Bates numbers to PDFs

Drop the PDFs onto the page and put them in order with the arrows.
Type the prefix, starting number and number of digits; each file's range shows in the list.
Choose the position and look, and a legend if you need one; the preview updates as you go.
Press Number. One file downloads as a PDF; several come in a ZIP with the production log.

Questions

What is a Bates number?: A unique number stamped on each page of a set of documents, usually a short prefix for the party or case followed by a zero-padded number, such as SMITH000123. It lets everyone refer to an exact page, and shows at a glance whether any pages are missing.
Does the numbering continue across several PDFs?: Yes. The files are numbered in the order listed, each starting where the previous one ended, and the list shows every file's range before you save. After saving, Number the next batch from here sets the start to the next free number for the following set.
Does it change anything else in the PDF?: No. The number and legend are added on top of each page; the text, pictures, bookmarks and form fields stay as they were, and the text stays searchable. The stamp itself is text in a standard PDF font.
What is the production log?: A spreadsheet-ready CSV listing each file with its page count and its first and last Bates number, often needed for a privilege log or a cover letter. It is in the ZIP when several files are numbered, and can be downloaded on its own.
Can it number a password-protected PDF?: Not directly: an encrypted PDF cannot be changed without its password. Remove the protection with Unlock PDF first, then number the unlocked copy.
Are my documents uploaded?: No. Discovery documents are often confidential, so everything happens in your browser: the PDFs are read, stamped and saved on your computer.

For plain page numbers, a watermark or merging files, use the PDF Toolkit.

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