Free Bates Numbering
Bates Numbering stamps sequential numbers such as ABC000001 on every page of one or many PDF files, continuing from one file to the next in your order. Set the prefix, suffix, starting number and up to 12 digits, and place the stamp in any of six positions. Several files arrive in a ZIP, optionally named by number range.
- Format:
- Prefix, number, suffix
- Digits:
- 1 to 12, zero-padded
- Batch:
- Numbers continue across files
- Price:
- Free
- Runs:
- Locally, in your browser
- Uploads:
- None: files never leave your device
- Account:
- Not needed
Quick answers
What is Bates numbering?
A unique, sequential number stamped on every page of a set of documents, such as ABC000001, ABC000002 and so on. It is used in legal, medical and business work so each page can be cited precisely.
Processed on your device: your files are never uploaded. How it works
Network activity in this tab
What this page has requested since you opened the site in this tab. An upload is any request that sends data: POST, PUT, PATCH or a request with a body.
No uploads: nothing has been sent from this page.
No network requests yet.
To see every request, open your browser's developer tools (Network tab).
How to use the Bates Numbering
- Drop your PDF files and put them in order (drag or use the arrows).
- Set the prefix, the starting number and the number of digits, then pick the position, size and style of the stamp.
- Click Number pages: one file downloads directly, several come in a ZIP, optionally named by their number range.
Credits & open source
Our own code plus open-source libraries. Thank you to the people who make these projects.
- pdf-libCreate and modify PDF documents (merge, split, rotate, stamp, sign). © Andrew Dillon · MIT
- @pdf-lib/fontkitFont engine that lets pdf-lib embed Unicode TrueType fonts. © Devon Govett; fork by Andrew Dillon · MIT
- PDF.jsRenders PDF pages to images and thumbnails. © Mozilla Foundation and contributors · Apache-2.0
- dnd kitAccessible drag-and-drop reordering (mouse, touch and keyboard). © Claudéric Demers · MIT
- fflateFast ZIP compression for batch downloads. © Arjun Barrett · MIT
Web platform APIs used: File API, Canvas 2D, Web Workers, Pointer Events, Keyboard Events.
- DejaVu Fonts by DejaVu fonts team (based on Bitstream Vera) (Bitstream Vera License / Public Domain) — Embedded (subset) when the prefix or suffix contains characters outside Windows-1252; otherwise the standard Helvetica font is used.
Full license texts: third-party notices · all credits
Frequently asked questions
Do numbers continue from one file to the next?
Yes. If the first file has 12 pages, the second file starts at number 13 (with the same prefix and padding).
Are my documents uploaded?
No. The numbers are added in your browser and the files never leave your device.