HivePDF
English
← Guides

How to Add Bates Numbering to a PDF

Updated July 13, 2026

If you’ve never handled legal discovery, “Bates numbering” might sound obscure: it’s simply a unique, sequential label stamped on every page of a document set — usually a prefix followed by a zero-padded number, like ABC-000001, ABC-000002, and so on — so that any single page can be cited precisely by its number. It’s standard practice in litigation, contracts, and audited records.

Steps

  1. Drop your PDF above.
  2. Set your prefix, starting number, digit count, and where the stamp sits.
  3. Click Add Bates numbers, then download the PDF.

Full control over the format

You choose a prefix and an optional suffix, the number to start counting from, and how many digits to pad to so the numbers line up neatly across a large set. You also pick which corner the stamp sits in and its font size, with a live preview showing exactly how the first number will look before you commit to it.

Notes

Everything runs locally, so even privileged documents stay on your device throughout. If you need ordinary page numbers rather than a Bates sequence, Add Page Numbers is the simpler tool; for repeating text in the margins beyond just numbers, see Header & Footer.

Tools in this guide

Frequently asked questions

What is Bates numbering?
It's a unique, sequential identifier placed on each page of a document — typically a prefix plus a zero-padded number, like ABC-000123. It's the standard in legal discovery and business record-keeping, letting every single page be referenced exactly.
Can I control the format of the numbers?
Yes. You set a prefix, an optional suffix, the starting number, how many digits to zero-pad to, which corner the stamp appears in, and the font size.
Does my file get uploaded?
No. Numbers are stamped entirely in your browser — your document never leaves your device, which matters for confidential legal files.