Bates Numbering for PDF: Free Bates Stamp Online
Add Bates numbers to PDF pages with your own prefix, number of digits and position. Number many files in one sequence, free and in your browser.
Most tools never upload your files
How to add Bates numbers to a PDF
Bates numbering puts a unique, sequential number on every page of a document set, like ABC000001, ABC000002, ABC000003. It is the standard way to label pages in legal discovery, audits, insurance claims and large document reviews, because every page can then be cited exactly. This free Bates stamp tool adds the numbers to one PDF or to many PDFs in a single running sequence, with your own prefix, number of digits and position. It runs entirely in your browser, so confidential files are never uploaded.
How to add Bates numbers to a PDF
- Add your PDF files. Drop them on the page in production order. You can add as many as you need.
- Set the prefix and digits. Type a prefix such as your case code or client name, choose the first number and how many digits to pad to. The preview shows the exact label, for example ABC000001.
- Pick the position. Bottom right is the most common; choose any of the six spots.
- Choose the sequence. Keep Continue numbering across files on for one production, or turn it off to restart each file.
- Stamp and download. Each file is named with its first and last number, such as contract_ABC000001-ABC000045.pdf.
Bates number examples
| Prefix | Digits | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ABC | 6 | ABC000001 |
| SMITH-PROD- | 7 | SMITH-PROD-0000001 |
| DEF_ | 5 | DEF_00001 |
| (none) | 8 | 00000001 |
Tips for a clean production
- Merge or order first. Put the documents in their final order, or combine them with Merge PDF, before you number. Renumbering later breaks every reference.
- Keep a log. Because each output file name carries its range, you can paste the names straight into your production index.
- Redact before stamping. Remove privileged text with Redact PDF, then add Bates numbers so the numbering covers the final pages.
- Plain page numbers instead? For a simple 1, 2, 3 or Page 1 of 9, use PDF Page Numbers.
Why the white box?
Scanned exhibits are often gray, dark or busy near the edges. A small white box is drawn behind every Bates label so the number stays readable when printed, faxed or scanned again. It covers only the label area, not your content.
Private by design
Legal and financial documents should not be sent to unknown servers. WoowPDF stamps the numbers with JavaScript inside your browser, so nothing is uploaded, stored or logged, and there is no watermark or sign up. Close the tab and nothing remains.
Who uses Bates numbers
Litigation teams stamp every page they produce in discovery, so both sides can say "see ABC000452" instead of describing a page. Paralegals number exhibits before a deposition, accountants number audit binders, insurers number claim files, and HR teams number personnel records before an investigation. Anyone who must prove that a set of pages is complete and in a fixed order benefits from Bates numbers, because a missing number shows at once that a page is gone.
Features
- Your own prefix and suffix, such as ABC or SMITH-PROD, and 1 to 12 digits with leading zeros
- One running sequence across many files, or restart the count for each file
- Six positions: top or bottom, left, center or right
- A white box behind each number keeps it readable on scans and dark pages
- Output files are named with their first and last Bates number, ready for a production log
- Runs in your browser: confidential documents are never uploaded
Frequently asked questions
What is Bates numbering?
Bates numbering gives every page of a set of documents its own unique number, such as ABC000001, ABC000002 and so on. Law firms, courts and companies use it during discovery and audits so anyone can point to an exact page, and so missing or added pages are easy to spot.
Can I number several PDFs in one sequence?
Yes. Add all the files in the order you want and keep Continue numbering across files turned on. If the first file ends at ABC000120, the second one starts at ABC000121.
Is my document uploaded?
No. The numbers are stamped by your browser on your own device. Privileged or confidential files never leave your computer, which matters for legal work.
Where should the Bates number go?
The bottom right corner is the usual choice, because it rarely covers text. Some courts or clients ask for the bottom center; pick whatever your instructions say.
How many digits should a Bates number have?
Six or seven digits are common, which allows up to 999,999 or 9,999,999 pages. Use enough digits for the whole production so every number has the same length.
Can I add a confidentiality label too?
Yes. Put it in the suffix, for example ABC000001 CONFIDENTIAL, or stamp a separate line with the Add Header and Footer tool after numbering.