Bates numbers are identifiers
They are usually used for document tracking and reference, not for reader-friendly pagination.
Legal workflow
PDF Page Number Adder — Bates & Custom Number Stamps
Load & Stamp Settings
Drag & drop your PDF here
or click to choose a file
File
No PDF loaded
Pages
0
Pages To Stamp
0
Typical Bates example:
ABC-Use
all or ranges like 1-3, 6, 9-12Used only in Custom mode
{prefix}
{suffix}
{num}
{n}
{page}
{total}
Live Preview
Preview shows the selected page with the current stamp settings applied.
Load a PDF or the built-in example to preview Bates numbers and custom stamps before export.
First stamped page
Not available yet
Last stamped page
Not available yet
Numbering assumption: in Bates mode the stamp text is
prefix + padded number + suffix. The sequence increments only on pages included in the selected page range.
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How this PDF page number tool works
This tool overlays text directly onto your PDF pages using browser-side PDF editing. You can use it as a basic page number adder, a legal-style Bates stamper, or a custom document labeler for production batches, discovery bundles, exhibits, and internal records.
- Load a PDF or try the built-in example document.
- Choose Bates numbering, simple page numbers, or a custom template.
- Set the numbering start, zero padding, page range, placement, font, and color.
- Check the live preview, then export the stamped PDF.
For Bates numbering, this page uses a straightforward sequence rule: if the start number is 125, width is 6, and prefix is ABC-, then the first stamped page becomes ABC-000125, the next stamped page becomes ABC-000126, and so on.
Custom mode supports these tokens: {prefix}, {suffix}, {num} for the padded sequence, {n} for the raw number, {page} for the current page number, and {total} for total page count. Example: FILE-{num} | Page {page} of {total}.
- Privacy: everything runs locally in your browser. Your PDF is not uploaded.
- Quality: the original page content is preserved; the tool adds text on top rather than rasterizing the whole document.
- Ranges: pages outside your chosen range remain unchanged.
FAQ
Can I add Bates numbers only to the last section of a PDF?
Yes. Use a page range such as 25-40 or 10-12, 18, 24-30. Only those pages are stamped.
What is the difference between Bates mode and Page x of y mode?
Bates mode produces a sequential identifier like BATES-000123. Page mode produces a reading-friendly label like Page 7 of 42.
Can I use letters or words around the number?
Yes. Add text with the prefix and suffix fields, or switch to Custom mode for a full template.
Will numbering restart if I exclude pages?
No. The tool increments the sequence across stamped pages only. Unstamped pages are skipped and do not consume numbers.
5 Quick Facts about PDF Number Stamps
Zero padding preserves sort order
0009, 0010, and 0011 sort cleanly in filenames, lists, and exports.
Operational clarity
PDF pages use points
Margins and text positions are usually measured in points, where 72 points equals 1 inch.
Placement math
Top-right is common for Bates stamps
It keeps the identifier easy to scan while minimizing overlap with signatures and body text.
Common convention
Reader page numbers can differ
A PDF may already have printed page numbers inside the content, so stamped numbers can serve a separate tracking purpose.
Two numbering systems