Line Number Generator
Add line numbers to text with custom start, step and separator.
About this tool
Add sequential line numbers to the beginning of each line in a block of text - useful for referencing specific lines in code snippets, numbering a list, or preparing text for review where line references matter.
How to use this tool
- Paste text blockAdd content where line-level references are needed.
- Set numbering optionsChoose start number and preferred separator format.
- Generate numbered outputPrefix each line with sequential reference number.
- Copy for review useShare numbered text in code review, audit, or discussion.
Formatting line numbers
Set the starting number, the step between numbers and the separator - a dot, a bracket, a colon or a tab. Turn on padding to get 01, 02 ... so the text lines up, and skip empty lines when blank lines should not use up a number.
Numbered lines make it easy to refer to a specific line in a contract draft, a poem, a script or a code snippet when you send feedback.
Key features
- Adds precise references for collaborative review.
- Useful for code snippets and legal/document feedback.
- Saves manual renumbering effort on long text.
- Supports custom starting indices.
Common uses
- Preparing code examples for debugging discussions.
- Numbering witness/transcript lines for review.
- Creating structured lists with fixed references.
- Annotating policy drafts with line comments.
Tips for better results
- Enable numbering of blank lines when exact offsets matter.
- Use monospaced font for alignment in technical docs.
- Pick a separator style compatible with target system.
- Regenerate after edits to avoid stale references.
Mistakes to avoid
- Adding line numbers manually and creating inconsistencies.
- Editing numbered output without re-running sequence.
- Skipping blank-line numbering when comparing patches.
- Using ambiguous separators that break parsing scripts.
Frequently asked questions
Yes - set a custom starting number if you need the numbering to continue from a previous section or match an external reference point.
Depending on the tool's settings, blank lines can either be numbered like any other line or skipped - check the options if you need one behavior specifically.
Typically a number followed by a separator (like a period or colon) before the line content, though the exact format may be adjustable depending on the tool.
Legal pleadings, scripts and transcripts, peer review of papers and code reviews all rely on line numbers so people can point to an exact spot: 'see line 42' instead of quoting a paragraph.
Paste the numbered text into a find-and-replace tool that supports regular expressions and replace ^\d+[.:)]?\s* with nothing, or keep an unnumbered copy before you add them.
Use zero-padded numbers (001, 002 ... 120) or a fixed width, so the text starts in the same column on every line - easier to read in plain text and code.