Bates numbering that runs on from one PDF to the next
PDFCheetah's free Bates Numbering tool labels every page of a set of PDFs with a prefix and a padded number in your browser — written as real text — and your files never leave your device.
Updated
Choose the PDF files to Bates number
Up to 100 files · up to 80 MB each · 100 MB total · PDF bytes are checked on this device
Processed on this device
Selecting and processing files stays in this browser.
Checking offline readiness
Offline availability is confirmed after this tool loads.
Why there is no daily limit, and no upload
How to add Bates numbers to PDFs
- Choose the PDFs — a whole production set at once, if you have one.
- Put them in order: the numbering follows the list from top to bottom.
- Set the prefix, the first number and how many digits to pad to, then the position.
- Select Bates number, then Download the numbered PDF, or a ZIP with one numbered PDF per file.
One running number across every file
A Bates number gives every page of a set of documents its own label, in order, so a page can be cited and found again: ACME000001, ACME000002, and on into the next file. The labels are written into each page as real text, and each file keeps its own pages, links and form fields. Nothing is uploaded: the files are numbered in this browser tab.
Current limitations
Labels are black, in one font, at one of six places on the page; a page already printed to its edge may have the label over its content. A prefix in a script the bundled font cannot draw is refused before anything is written. Password-protected PDFs cannot be opened here yet: use Unlock PDF first if you know the password.
Common questions
- Are my documents uploaded to add Bates numbers?
- No. The files are numbered in your browser and the new PDFs are written on this device. Nothing is sent anywhere, which matters for documents under privilege or a protective order.
- Does the numbering continue across files?
- Yes. The numbers run on from the last page of one file to the first page of the next, in the order of the list, so a whole production set gets one unbroken sequence.
- Can I choose the prefix and the number of digits?
- Yes. Type a prefix such as a case or party name, a first number, and how many digits to pad to, up to 12, so the labels read ACME000001, ACME000002 and so on. A suffix is optional.
- Where does the Bates number go on the page?
- At the top or the bottom of the page, on the left, in the middle or on the right. It is written as black text, so it can be searched and selected.