Badges are similar to labels in Bootstrap,badges are mostly used to focus unread objects. They can also be used in links, navs and more other by adding span class: badge. Please test the example for more clearance in it .
Example:
Example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head lang="en">
<meta charset="UTF-8"/>
<title>joeandy's workshop</title>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"/>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.1/css/bootstrap.min.css"/>
</head>
<body>
<div class="container">
<h4>Badges in active state pills </h4>
<ul class="nav nav-pills">
<li class="active"><a href="#">Home <span class="badge">42</span></a></li>
<li><a href="#">Profile</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Message <span class="badge">3</span></a></li>
</ul>
<br>
</div>
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.11.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.1/js/bootstrap.min.js"></script>
</body>
</html>