What is Bates numbering and how is it different from page numbers?

Page numbers restart at 1 in every file. Bates numbers give each page in an entire production a unique, usually prefixed and zero-padded identifier such as ABC000123 that continues across files, so a single number in a brief, an exhibit list or a deposition points to exactly one page of one document.

How is the order across files decided?

By the upload list: the first file starts at the start number and each following file continues from the last number of the previous one. Drag files to reorder them — the assignment table shows every file’s range and output name live. Untick Continue numbering across files to restart each file at the start number.

Will the number cover page content? What about rotated pages?

The number sits in the margin, and you can increase the margins. With White box behind the number enabled, a white rectangle is drawn first so the number stays readable even over content. Pages with /Rotate or a CropBox are stamped in the orientation and visible area you see in your viewer, so numbers are never upside down or cropped off.

Can the prefix contain non-Latin characters? Are my files uploaded?

Yes. Numbers made of English letters, digits and common symbols are written with a standard PDF font as searchable text; other characters, such as Chinese, are rendered as a high-resolution image that prints the same but isn’t searchable. All processing happens in your browser and nothing is uploaded.

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📇Bates Numbering PDF - Number Multiple Files in Sequence

Bates numbering gives every page in a set of legal, audit or discovery documents a unique identifier — ABC000001, ABC000002 and so on — that keeps counting across files. Drop in all your PDFs, drag them into order and set the prefix, suffix, start number and number of zero-padded digits; every page gets stamped. Choose top left, top center, top right, bottom left, bottom center or bottom right, adjust the font size, color and margins, and optionally draw a white box behind the number so it stays legible over page content. Pages with a /Rotate setting or a CropBox are handled properly, so the stamp sits upright inside the visible area exactly as the page is displayed. You can skip the first N pages of each file (such as cover sheets) — skipped pages get no stamp and use no number — or turn off continuous numbering to restart every file at the start number. Each output file is renamed with its Bates range (for example ABC000001-ABC000045.pdf), and an index CSV lists the original name, new name, page count and first and last number; download everything as one ZIP. Latin-script numbers are written as real text, so they are searchable and copyable, and everything runs in your browser — case files are never uploaded.

Free · No sign-up · Runs in your browserLast updated: 2026-10-26

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How to use Bates Numbering

1Upload one or more PDFs and drag them into order
2Set the prefix, start number, digits, position and font size, and choose continuous numbering, skipped pages and the white box
3Check the assignment table and preview, click Apply Bates numbers, then download the renamed PDFs and CSV index as a ZIP

FAQ

What is Bates numbering and how is it different from page numbers?: Page numbers restart at 1 in every file. Bates numbers give each page in an entire production a unique, usually prefixed and zero-padded identifier such as ABC000123 that continues across files, so a single number in a brief, an exhibit list or a deposition points to exactly one page of one document.
How is the order across files decided?: By the upload list: the first file starts at the start number and each following file continues from the last number of the previous one. Drag files to reorder them — the assignment table shows every file’s range and output name live. Untick Continue numbering across files to restart each file at the start number.
Will the number cover page content? What about rotated pages?: The number sits in the margin, and you can increase the margins. With White box behind the number enabled, a white rectangle is drawn first so the number stays readable even over content. Pages with /Rotate or a CropBox are stamped in the orientation and visible area you see in your viewer, so numbers are never upside down or cropped off.
Can the prefix contain non-Latin characters? Are my files uploaded?: Yes. Numbers made of English letters, digits and common symbols are written with a standard PDF font as searchable text; other characters, such as Chinese, are rendered as a high-resolution image that prints the same but isn’t searchable. All processing happens in your browser and nothing is uploaded.