100% client-side — files never leave your device

Add page numbers to a PDF

Stamp page numbers — or fixed-width Bates numbers with a prefix — anywhere on the page, with a start value and padding you control. All in your browser.

Drop a PDF here to edit itRewrite existing text, reorder pages, fill forms and sign — without uploading the file.

How it works

  1. Open the PDF. Rendered locally — the document never leaves your device.
  2. Open “Page numbers & Bates”. Set the format, start value, padding and position.
  3. Download. The numbers are drawn into the exported pages.

Format tokens

The format field is a small template. {n} is the counter, {total} the number of pages being stamped, and {page} the absolute page position in the document. So Page {n} of {total} produces the familiar footer, while ACME-{n} with padding six produces ACME-000123.

Why fixed width matters

Without padding, page 9 sorts after page 10 in every file manager and spreadsheet on earth, and citations become ambiguous. Zero-padding to a width comfortably above your page count solves both problems permanently — six digits is the usual convention.

Placement

Bottom-right is the standard for Bates numbering because it survives stapling and hole-punching and is where reviewers look. Bottom-centre suits ordinary documents. Whichever you pick, check a page with a full-width table: if the number collides with content, crop the pages slightly first — the crop control is in the same editor.

Related

Add a watermark in the same pass, or assemble the production first with Merge PDF so one continuous numbering run covers the whole set.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bates numbering?

A sequential, fixed-width identifier stamped on every page of a document set, usually with a party or matter prefix — ACME-000123. It is standard in litigation and discovery because every page in a production gets one unique, citable number.

How do I produce a Bates number here?

Set the format to something like ACME-{n}, choose a start number, and set zero-padding to 6. The counter increments per page and keeps its width, so sorting and citing both work.

Can I continue numbering across several documents?

Yes — number the first document, note the last number used, then set “Start at” to the next value for the second document. The counter is explicit precisely so a production can span files.

Can I skip the cover page?

Yes. Use the page range field to number, say, 2- and the counter starts on page two, leaving the cover clean.

Can one export use two different numbering formats?

No. One format, start value, padding and position apply to the selected page range in each export. For separate front-matter and body styles, number the ranges in separate passes.

Related tools