How to Number and Renumber Scenes in Screenplays

Core Rules #

• Scene numbers communicate story order and must change logically as the script evolves.
• Numbers must be sequential from 1 upward in the initial shooting script.
• Letters cannot precede numbers (e.g., I8, F8 are not allowed). Letters are only used after a number for inserted/moved scenes (e.g., 36B).

Series: Season & Episode #

For series, season and episode are managed at the episode level and appear across stripboards, schedules, characters, sets, locations, and call sheets.

• Format examples: s01e01, s20e203.
• You may optionally embed the episode into the scene number (e.g., 101, 1001, 10001).

Scene Parts (Automatic) #

When a scene is split during breakdown or scheduling, Dramatify adds a colon and a part number automatically:

1:1, 1:2, 1:3, …

A full reference like s01e2-203:4 reads as: Season 1, Episode 2, Scene 203, Part 4.

Move a Scene (Renumber Correctly) #

1. Copy the existing scene.
2. In the original position, replace the heading with:
   • SCENE OMITTED – moved to [new scene number] or
   • SCENE MOVED TO [new scene number]

   Example: 34. SCENE MOVED TO 36B

3. Paste the scene in its new position and add a letter after the previous scene number:Example: 36B. INT. THE OFFICE – DAYFurther insertions after that spot would be 36C, 36D, etc.

Why this matters: Simply cutting and pasting a scene without renumbering (e.g., dropping scene 146 between 90 and 91) will cause it to sort back after 145.

Insert a New Scene Between Two Scenes #

Add a letter to the preceding scene number.

• Between 10 and 11 → 10B
• Another insertion after 10B → 10C, then 10D, etc.

Delete (Omit) a Scene Without Breaking Numbering #

1. Keep the original scene number.
2. Replace the heading with [number]. SCENE OMITTED.
3. Remove the scene text to avoid confusion.

This preserves communication for the team and keeps imports clean.

Label Special Scenes Without Leading Letters #

Do not prefix numbers with letters (e.g., I8 for inserts, F8 for flashbacks). Instead, describe the type in the heading:

• 8. INT. Mum’s kitchen – Flashback of scene 4 – DAY
• 8. INT. Flashback of scene 4 – Mum’s kitchen – DAY

Import Trouble Shooting #

Read our blog post The American Screenwriting Standard: Format, Scene Numbering & Rewrites for futher information!