Bates Numbering

Apply sequential Bates numbers with a custom prefix, suffix and digit count to every PDF page — the standard way to index legal discovery documents.

Bates Numbering stamps a sequential identifier — such as ABC000123 — onto every page of a PDF, with full control over the prefix, suffix, starting number and digit padding. This is the standard method legal teams and litigation support staff use to index discovery documents, so that any page can be cited precisely in correspondence, depositions or court filings.

Set a case-specific prefix, choose how many digits the number should be padded to, and pick where on the page the stamp appears, then apply it across an entire PDF or a batch of documents in one pass. Because the numbering runs locally in the browser, confidential discovery material never needs to be uploaded to a third-party server just to have consistent page identifiers applied to it.

How to use the Bates Numbering

  1. Upload the PDF or set of PDFs that need Bates numbers applied.
  2. Set a prefix, such as an abbreviation for the case or client.
  3. Choose the starting number and how many digits it should be padded to.
  4. Add a suffix if your indexing convention requires one.
  5. Set the position and text size for the stamp on each page.
  6. Apply the numbering and download the stamped PDF.

Why use this tool

Full format control

Prefix, suffix, starting number and digit padding can all be set precisely to match a firm's or court's specific indexing convention.

Consistent sequential stamping

Every page receives the next number in sequence automatically, removing the risk of manual numbering errors across a large discovery set.

Batch-friendly workflow

Multiple PDFs can be processed with continuous numbering, keeping a large document production correctly indexed from start to finish.

Confidential material stays local

Discovery documents are stamped entirely in the browser, avoiding the need to upload sensitive case files to an external service.

Common use cases

What is Bates numbering

It is a sequential identifier, typically combining a short prefix with a padded number such as ABC000123, stamped onto every page of a document set so that legal teams can reference an exact page unambiguously across potentially thousands of pages of discovery material.

Choosing prefix and digit format

The prefix commonly reflects a party abbreviation or case reference, while digit padding (such as six digits) ensures that page numbers sort and align consistently even once the total page count reaches the thousands, so ABC000001 lines up visually with ABC012345.

Consistency across large productions

When a discovery production spans multiple PDF files, applying numbering with a continuing starting value for each subsequent file (rather than restarting from one) keeps the overall document set correctly and uniquely indexed.

Position and readability

Bates stamps are typically placed in a bottom corner where they will not obscure body text, at a size small enough to be unobtrusive but large enough to remain legible when the document is printed or viewed as a scanned image.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bates numbering?

It is a sequential identifier such as ABC000123 stamped on every page so legal teams can cite an exact page across a discovery set.

Can I control the number format?

Yes. Set the prefix, suffix, starting number, digit padding, position and text size before stamping.

Is Bates Numbering free to use?

Yes. Bates Numbering on Klipza is completely free with no account, no subscription and no watermark on your files, and there is no daily usage limit.

Are my files safe when using Bates Numbering?

Processing happens locally in your browser wherever technically possible, so your files are not uploaded to a server, stored or shared with third parties.

Does Bates Numbering work on mobile phones?

Yes. It is fully responsive and runs in any modern browser on Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows and macOS — nothing to install.