FREE · IN-BROWSER · NO UPLOAD
Bates numbering for legal discovery — in your browser.
Add sequential page labels like ABC0001, ABC0002, ABC0003 to every page of a PDF — the standard format for legal discovery production. Configurable prefix, start number, zero-padding, position (six anchor points), and font size. iLovePDF and Smallpdf don't have this; we do — for free.
How it works
- Drop the PDF onto letsgoPDF. The file stays in your browser — pdf.js parses it, pdf-lib draws the labels.
- Configure: prefix string (any text), start number (any integer), digits (1-10 for zero-padding), position (top/bottom × left/center/right), font size (6-24pt).
- Click Apply. A live preview shows what the first label will look like. The numbered PDF saves to your history and downloads.
Why this matters for legal teams
- Standard discovery format. Every law firm in the US uses Bates numbers in document production. Each page gets a unique, citable identifier.
- Six position anchors. Top-left / top-center / top-right / bottom-left / bottom-center / bottom-right — pick where the label sits depending on case style.
- No upload. Discovery documents often contain privileged or sensitive material. Smart not to upload them to a third-party server. letsgoPDF's Bates tool runs entirely in your browser.
- Free, unlimited. Stamp as many documents as you want. Most legal-tech platforms charge per-page.
Common questions
- What's a Bates number?
- A unique sequential label stamped on every page of every document in a discovery production. Format:
{prefix}{padded number}, likeSMITH001234. Lawyers reference specific pages by Bates number when citing in briefs and exhibits. - Why don't iLovePDF or Smallpdf have it?
- It's a niche feature for legal users. Most consumer PDF sites prioritize merge/split/compress because that's where the search volume is. We added it specifically because no other free tool does.
- Can I use multiple prefixes in one batch?
- Today: one prefix per file. Multi-file Bates numbering with continuous numbering across files (e.g. SMITH001-SMITH050 across 5 PDFs) is on the roadmap.
- Are my discovery files uploaded?
- No. Bates numbering runs entirely in your browser via pdf-lib. Open your network tab — no traffic.