{{umbrella|Collation}}
For each numbered sequence of pages, folios (leaves) and columns, the last occurring number is mentioned. Numbering in Arabic and Roman numerals or in Greek letters are copied unchanged; numbering in Latin letters is not. The distinction between upper and lower case letters in Roman numbers is also retained, as is the distinction between i/j and u/v. Pages are shortened to 'p.', folios to 'f.' but columns are spelled in full as 'columns'. If there are more than two numbered columns per page, this is indicated in a general note. Exceptionally, a numbering in 'bifolia' occurs (numbered per 2 folios).
Leaves paginated or foliated in Latin letters are considered as unpaginated folios. The situation is explained in a general note.
A handy list to check the total number of pages on the basis of the quire structure, can help avoid mistakes.
<blockquote>'''''Examples'''''<br>
LXIV, 275, 45 p.<br>
viij, 328 p.<br>
118, [2] f.<br>
824 columns</blockquote>
*When there is a sequence of columns, pages and folios, this is registered as such:
<blockquote>'''''Example'''''<br>
74 p., 624 columns, 25 f.</blockquote>
*If the numbering starts again within the same system, the sequences are separated by a comma.
<blockquote>'''''Example'''''<br>
[12], 133, 234 p.</blockquote>
*For 'mother'-descriptions of an 'incorporates'-construction, the different series of pagination, foliation or column indication are separated by a semicolon.
*If the last page, folio or column is numbered incorrectly, the incorrect number is noted, followed by the correct number between square brackets (after an equality sign, followed by a space). All corrections between square brackets are noted in Arabic numerals. Further explanation about the incorrect numbering is given in the cataloguing remarks.
<blockquote>'''''Example: Paginated series incorrectly paginated'''''<br>
[16], 579 [= 595], [13] p.<br>
''Cataloguing remarks'':<br>
p. 529 as '513' and so incorrectly continued until the end<br><br>
[16], Ccccccccxiii [= 816], [4] p.<br>
''Cataloguing remarks'':<br>
p. Cccccvi as 'Ccccciii' so incorrectly continued until the end</blockquote>
*If a series is numbered in one system and then switches to a different systems but without starting the numbering over, we use the system that was last used in the book. A cataloguing remark further clarifies the situation. The cited number may then need to be corrected in such a way that it matches the numbering according to the last system.
<blockquote>'''''Examples'''''<br>
176 f.<br>
''Cataloguing remarks'':<br>
the first 24 folios are paginated as '1-48', then the number is continued as folios (starting from f. 25)<br><br>
28 [= 24] f.<br>
''Cataloguing remarks'':<br>
first four leaves paginated as '1-8', then f. 5 as '9' foliated and so incorrectly continued until the end</blockquote>
Unnumbered pages or folios that form an integral part of the publication, are always mentioned.
*If they are ''at the beginning or in the middle'' of a series of numbered pages or folios and are implicitly counted, they are not mentioned explicitly but counted in the numbered series.
<blockquote>'''''Example'''''<br>
A series of pages numbered 1, 2, [3], [4], 5, [6], 7, 8 is noted as '8 p.'</blockquote>
*If they are ''before or after'' a series of numbered pages or folios, they are counted separately between square brackets in Arabic numerals. The same number system is used as for the numbered unites: if they are counted in folio, the unnumbered units are also counted in folios. If the numbered units are counted by page, then this is also used for the unnumbered units. Leaves with unnumbered columns after a series of numbered columns are counted as unnumbered folios.
<blockquote>'''''Example'''''<br>
[8], 328 f.<br>
[12], 273, [3] p.<br>
345, [1] col., [12] f.</blockquote>
*If they are ''within'' a series of numbered pages or folios and ''not'' implicitly counted, they are added to the last occurring number in the series of numbered pages or folios. The result of this sum is noted between square brackets, after an equality sign followed by a space, similar to incorrectly numbered paginations. The reason for the corrected number is usually relatively quickly found, when comparing it to the quire structure (addition of χ-folios). If necessary, the cataloguing remarks can contain a further explanation.
<blockquote>'''''Example'''''<br>
434 [= 454] p.<br>
''Cataloguing remarks'':<br>
20 unnumbered pages within a series of numbered pages<br><br>
215 [= 228] f.<br>
''Cataloguing remarks'':<br>
13 unnumbered folios within a series of numbered folios</blockquote>
*If the ''entire publication is unnumbered'', then the total number of folios (and not pages) is counted and noted between square brackets.
<blockquote>'''''Example'''''<br>
[80] f.</blockquote>
Blank pages or folios at the beginning or end of a series of (numbered or unnumbered) pages or folios are mentioned in as far as they belong to the publication (not to be confused with endpapers). They are counted and placed between square brackets with the explicit indication 'blank'.
<blockquote>'''''Examples'''''<br>
[8], 85, [3 blank] p.<br>
[4 blank], [19], [1 blank], 24, 66, [6 blank] p.</blockquote>
Attention: when a series is numbered as folios and the last folio has a blank verso-side, this is not mentioned as blank page: the folio is considered as a whole (both recto and verso).
Folios belonging to the publication but pasted at the front or the back (e.g. to serve as fixed endpapers) are assumed to be blank (unless there are other indications).
*Missing pages or folios at the beginning or in the middle of an edition are ignored in the description. The missing pages are, however, mentioned in the copy-specific information.
*If a sizeable part of the publication is missing, making it impossible to reconstruct the ideal copy, then the actual situation of the specific copy is given for the time being, and missing parts are mentioned after the collation formula.
<blockquote>'''''Example'''''<br>
Pagination: [1], [1 blank], [6], [38] p. [the rest is missing]<br>
Quire structure: q<sup>4</sup> χ1 2E-2G<sup>6</sup> (the quires between q<sup>4</sup> and χ1 are missing)<br>
General note: χ1 is probably f. 2D6</blockquote>
*If, while describing the first copy of an edition, one or more leaves or gatherings are missing, the pagination/foliation is given as far as possible, followed by the explicit mention '[the rest is missing]'.
<blockquote>'''''Example'''''<br>
[8], 88 p. [the rest is missing]</blockquote>
Attention: only square brackets are used in the pagination-field (e.g. '[the rest is missing]'); this in contrast to the field for quire structure (e.g. '(the rest is missing)').