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International ISBN Agency

ISBN Standard
How to get an ISBN
Guidelines for assignment to e-books
Related policies and issues
ISBN Bar coding
What they do
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ISBN ranges
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ISBN Users' manual
ISBN Calculator
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Publications

What is an ISBN?

An ISBN is an International Standard Book Number. ISBNs were 10 digits in length up to the end of December 2006, but since 1 January 2007 they now always consist of 13 digits. ISBNs are calculated using a specific mathematical formula and include a check digit to validate the number.

Each ISBN consists of 5 elements with each section being separated by spaces or hyphens. Three of the five elements may be of varying length:

Registrant element - this identifies the particular publisher or imprint. This may be up to 7 digits in length
Check digit – this is always the final single digit that mathematically validates the rest of the number. It is calculated using a Modulus 10 system with alternate weights of 1 and 3.

What is an ISBN used for?

An ISBN is essentially a product identifier used by publishers, booksellers, libraries, internet retailers and other supply chain participants for ordering, listing, sales records and stock control purposes. The ISBN identifies the registrant as well as the specific title, edition and format.

What does an ISBN identify?

ISBNs are assigned to text-based monographic publications (i.e. one-off publications rather than journals, newspapers, or other types of serials).

Any book made publicly available, whether for sale or on a gratis basis, can be identified by ISBN.

In addition, individual sections (such as chapters) of books or issues or articles from journals, periodicals or serials that are made available separately may also use the ISBN as an identifier.

With regard to the various media available, it is of no importance in what form the content is documented and distributed; however, each different product form (e.g. paperback, EPUB, .pdf) should be identified separately.

You can find examples of types of qualifying products and more information about the scope of the ISBN here .

ISBNs, the law and copyright

The ISBN is an identifier and does not convey any form of legal or copyright protection. However, in some countries the use of ISBN to identify publications has been made into a legal requirement.

Who should apply for ISBN?

It is always the publisher of the book who should apply for the ISBN. For the purposes of ISBN, the publisher is the group, organisation, company or individual who is responsible for initiating the production of a publication. Normally, it is also the person or body who bears the cost and financial risk in making a product available. It is not normally the printer, but it can be the author of the book if the author has chosen to publish their book themselves.

In a number of countries there is detailed legislation regarding publishing so contact your national ISBN agency in good time for advice.

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How to Understand an ISBN Code

Last Updated: September 23, 2023

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD . Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. This article has been viewed 103,136 times.

On the back of your books you’ve probably seen a number above the barcode labeled “ISBN.” This is a unique number used by publishers, libraries, and bookstores to identify book titles and editions. The number is less useful to the average book reader, but we can all learn something about a book from the ISBN.

Using the ISBN

The ISBN should also be available on the copyright page. [1] X Research source
It is separated into four parts, each separated by a hyphen. For example, the ISBN for the classic cookbook The Joy of Cooking is 0-7432-4626-8.
Books published before 2007 were given 10 digit ISBNs. From 2007 on, they have been given 13 digit identifiers. [2] X Research source

Conversely, if the title string is long and the publisher string is short, the book was released by a major publisher. [3] X Research source

Each nation has its own ISBN granting corporation. [4] X Research source
A single ISBN number costs $125, 10 cost $250, 100 cost $575, and 1,000 cost $1,000.

Interpreting a 10 Digit ISBN

Step 1 Look at the first string of digits for language information.

For English books, this string will typically only be a single digit, but it can be longer for other languages.

Step 2 Look at the second string of numbers for publisher information.

Sometimes the last digit is an “X.” This is the Roman Numeral 10.
The check number is computed using a modulus 10 algorithm.

Interpreting a 13 Digit ISBN

Step 1 Look at the first three numbers to establish when the book was published.

For books published in United States, this number should be “0.” For books published in other English speaking countries it should be “1.”

Step 3 Look at the third string of numbers for publisher information.

Community Q&A

↑ http://www.isbn.org/faqs_general_questions
↑ http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2009/09/self-publishing-basics-isbn/
↑ https://www.isbn-international.org/content/what-isbn

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Your Definitive Guide to ISBN. What Is an ISBN and How to Get an ISBN

From Print to Digital: Navigating the World of ISBNs and Book Metadata.

An International Standard Book Number is an important commercial book identifier used by publishers, booksellers, libraries, internet retailers, and other supply chain participants to accurately identify and track different editions and formats of a specific book title. ISBNs help organize, distribute, and manage book inventory across the global publishing industry. This definitive guide provides an in-depth look at what an ISBN is, how it works, and how both publishers and self-publishing authors can obtain the number for their books.

What is an ISBN?

An International Standard Book Number is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies a commercial book title or specific edition across the entire supply chain. The number allows publishers, booksellers, libraries, distributors, and retailers to identify, track, order, stock and sell available book formats in their inventory systems.

ISBNs only apply to commercial books made broadly available for sale to the public. They do not apply to private documents, public domain books, ebooks, print-on-demand books or unpublished works not intended for commercial distribution through regular publishing sales channels. Each commercially published print, audio book and Braille edition in the supply chain receives its own unique 13-digit number during the publishing process.

An International Standard Book Number contains important information about a book including its country/geographic origin, publisher name, format details and a check digit used to validate the number to prevent errors. It provide an organized method for the industry to identify and distinguish between different editions and bindings of the same book title.

When did ISBNs start?

The International Standard Book Number system was created by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) in 1970 to provide the book industry with a universal product coding system at a time when automation started playing an increasing role in inventory management, order fulfillment and sales processing. ISBNs replaced the older SBN identifier in use since 1966.

The purpose was for ISBNs to become the single global standard numerical book identifier shared across the entire international publishing industry for all commercially available books. This helped pave the way for computerized book inventory systems and global online bookselling.

Who uses ISBNs?

International Standard Book Numbers are widely used by every player in the global book industry supply chain including:

Publishers – Identify and track different book editions and formats
Printers – Organize print runs of book editions
Book, ebook and audio book retailers (online and bookstores) – List available inventory
Libraries – Catalog and shelve book inventory
Distributors and wholesalers – Process book orders
Authors – Track royalties on specific editions
Consumers – Identify and find book editions

ISBN Format and Elements

The International Standard Book Number is a 13-digit number broken into five parts consisting of numbers 0 to 9 plus the Roman numeral X represented in the form of 5 hyphenated numbers:

978-1-4028-9462-6

The parts of the International Standard Book Number indicate:

Prefix Element – Either 978 or 979 which designates the ISBN is part of the GS1 global trade item numbering system. Helps distinguish International Standard Book Numbers.

Group or Registration Group Element – 1 to 5 digits indicating a geographic/language area participating in the ISBN system. Assigned by designated International Standard Book Number agencies in each country.

Publisher Element – Variable number of digits assigned by agency and identifies a specific publisher or imprint.

Title Element – Number assigned by the publisher to identify a unique format or edition of a book title after the prefix, group and publisher elements.

Check Digit – Single digit number calculated mathematically from the other digits to validate the entire International Standard Book Number. Detects errors.

Hyphens are used to make the number easier to read and manually handle by dividing it into more manageable groups of numbers. However, ISBNs still work without hyphens and are often represented without hyphens in computer databases.

What information does an ISBN carry?

While the ISBN contains only a short 13-digit number, it actually reveals and carries contextually important information embedded in its structure about a book. Specifically on where it was published geographically, which publisher released it, a title identifier and format details. This helps distinguish between editions during ordering and sales.

For example, in the 978-1-4028-9462-6:

Prefix 978 identifies it as an ISBN product in the GS1 system
Group 1 signifies it was issued in an English speaking country
Publisher identifier 14028 stands for the specific publisher
Title number 9462 indicates a format or edition variant
Check digit 6 verifies accuracy of entire number

When decoded, the International Standard Book Number provides basic metadata clues about publisher location, book edition and binding variant that sets it apart from other versions of a title. This aids book handling in inventory systems.

Do all books have ISBNs?

While all commercially published books made widely available for sale to the public require an ISBN, there are some exceptions. Specifically, International Standard Book Numbers do NOT apply to:

eBooks or digital-only publications (these use digital ASIN identifiers or other schemes)
Print-on-demand or custom one-off books printed individually
Private documents not commercially sold to the public
Public domain books with expired copyright protection that anyone can publish
Unpublished or vanity works not distributed to regular sales channels
Textbooks and academic books distributed directly by publishers to schools
Documents issued by private companies, governments or organizations

However both paperback and hardcover editions that publishers commercially print, market and distribute through normal book selling channels require dedicated ISBNs, no matter the subject, language origin or distribution method.

Do self-published books need an ISBN?

Self-published print books that will be broadly distributed through bookstores, online retailers and regular wholesale distribution channels require an ISBN for inventory management and sales tracking. Self-publishing platforms will usually provide instructions on obtaining a valid number if you intend to sell your book through normal publishing outlets beyond just personal sales and marketing.

An International Standard Book Number acts more like a commercial product numbering SKU allowing self-published print books to be identified and ordered by retailers the same as any other book title in their systems. So ISBNs are necessary to expand distribution and sales of your print book to get it stocked in bookstores and online marketplaces. Self-published ebooks usually rely more on retailer-specific ASIN numbers for distribution.

How many ISBNs do you need?

Typically each separately published commercial format or edition of a book (except reprints) needs its own unique ISBN. So every commercial print and audio book edition in circulation is assigned a number during production even if it is just a special binding, book cover design or alternate language version.

Publishers only need to assign one number to each broad edition or format of a book title intended for commercial distribution. However, that single number can never be reused or duplicated across any other book title for inventory and sales tracking accuracy.

Common scenarios requiring separate International Standard Book Numbers:

Hardcover, softcover and spiral bound editions
Special retail or library bindings
Alternate cover art, colors or designs
Differing page count, dimensions or maps
Audio book format recordings
Braille, large print and translated language editions
Book club, annotated or licensed editions
Differing publisher imprints

Basically any edition where production details or distribution differs enough that sales channels must distinguish between versions requires assignment of a discrete ISBN. This allows detailed inventory tracking as books pass through the supply chain.

How to Get an ISBN?

Publishers and self-publishing authors looking to acquire an ISBN number to publish and sell a commercial print book have two main options:

From Your Publisher If you have signed a formal contract with an established publishing house to release your book, your publisher will handle assigning an ISBN from their own purchased block of numbers or catalog system. You do not need to apply separately if going the standard publisher route.
Purchase Your Own ISBN For self-published authors or smaller presses, you can directly purchase single ISBNs or blocks of registration numbers for a fee from official national ISBN agencies like Bowker in the US, Nielsen in Canada or associated groups in your country.

ISBNs are sold individually or in bulk blocks ideally suited for publishers planning to release multiple book titles per year. You officially own the purchased ISBN numbers and can assign them to books as needed for inventory tracking across all sales channels.

Where to Buy ISBNs?

Every country participating in the global ISBN standard designates an official national ISBN registration group or agency responsible for selling and coordinating ISBNs within that geographic region. These agencies in turn report to and coordinate with the central ISBN International Agency.

In the United States, R.R. Bowker is the designated ISBN agency authorized to assign ISBN registration numbers. Bowker sells ISBNs in both single quantity or blocks suitable for larger publishers through its MyIdentifiers.com service.

Other major country ISBN agencies include:

United Kingdom & Ireland – Nielsen Book Services
Canada – Canadian ISBN Service
Australia & New Zealand – Thorpe-Bowker
South Africa – ISBN Agency
India – Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency

Depending on where your publishing company is registered geographically determines which ISBN agency you would buy your ISBN numbers from. They each sell ISBNs tailored for local publishers and regional publishing needs. Prices can range anywhere from $125 USD per single ISBN number to over $2000+ for extended blocks allowing many future book title assignments.

How Much Do ISBNs Cost?

The cost to buy an ISBN differs slightly country to country based on local economic factors. But in general, here are typical pricing tiers for purchasing ISBNs:

Single ISBN A single ISBN allowing you to identify one book format or edition typically costs between $125-$275 USD depending on the country ISBN agency. This is the minimum quantity that can be purchased.

Block of 10 ISBNs A small block of 10 ISBN numbers for assigning across future book titles and editions ranges from $250-$500 depending on region. This allows publishers to save money by buying ISBNs in bulk upfront instead of individually each time a new book is released.

Block of 100 ISBNs Larger publishers who release high quantities of book titles and editions can save substantially on ISBN costs by purchasing a block of 100 ISBNs. Pricing ranges from $1000-$2500+. Buying this quantity scale offers the cheapest per ISBN cost and allows hundreds of books to be assigned inventory numbers for several years into the future.

Block of 1000 ISBNs Some national ISBN agencies offer extremely large blocks of 1,000 ISBN numbers which translates into inventory and tracking capacity for thousands of individual book titles and editions. Cost is $5000+ but offers biggest bulk rate saving on individual ISBN cost to around several dollars per number. Subject to eligibility.

Note regional pricing, incremental discounts and local taxes can alter exact ISBN costs so verify current rates with your country’s ISBN registration agency. But in general buying ISBN number blocks in larger volumes saves publishers substantially over individually purchasing each separate ISBN at retail cost.

How to Assign an ISBN?

Once you or your publisher purchase a block of registered numbers from your regional ISBN agency, you can start assigning ISBNs to books as part of pre-production and inventory tracking:

Select an unused 13-digit number from your purchased listing or catalog system
Write the ISBN on sticker on the outside back cover of your print book to identify for scanning
Input the number and associated book details into your sales, royalty and inventory database systems
Provide number details to printer, distributors and retailers for ordering
Market the number in all locations your book is sold so buyers can easily look up
Never duplicate or reuse an already-assigned number across separate books

Important: Each commercially published edition and format should be assigned its own 13-digit ISBN number for inventory tracking across all worldwide sales channels. Every print and audio book needs a discrete ISBN if you intend to distribute commercially.

Where to Place an ISBN on Books?

Once assigned to a book, the 13-digit ISBN number must be prominently printed in bar code format along with human readable digits on the outside lower back cover of your publication above the bar code for retail scanning purposes. This allows bookstores, libraries, distributors, and warehouses to reliably scan your number to identify, categorize and manage inventory like any other book title.

Some publishers also opt to discreetly print the ISBN and a small publisher logo on one of the inside front matter pages near the title page and disclaimers though this is considered more of an identifier.

Only print ONE ISBN on the outside back cover, not multiples.
The barcode should be large, flat and free from marks or creases for easy retail scanning.
Include the human readable digits printed underneath the bar code.
Do not print number on removable book jacket cover or othertransitory components.

The back cover printed barcode is essential as the primary inventory tracking identifier for retailers, so placement matters to keep your book identified accurately across all sales channels.

ISBN Bar Code Guidelines

To ensure broad compatibility across all retail sales points and online systems, the ISBN printed on books should follow standardized bar code specifications:

Code 128 Barcode Symbology
Calculated Check Digit
Large Font Human Readable Numbers
Clear Space Around Barcode
Printed Horizontally 50-75mm Long
High Resolution Print Quality
Printed on Matte Background Color
Dark Ink, Not Reflective Silver

There are specific printing requirements around barcode size, placement, check digit calculations and formatting to ensure retail scanning devices can easily read the ISBN off the back book cover across stores worldwide. Following bar code publishing standards also allows sales channels to accurately track books.

How ISBNs Tie to Book Metadata?

While an ISBN is just a short unique 13-digit number, it serves as a shortcut numeric identifier that ties together important descriptive metadata about your book. It unlocks a wealth of associated information about your book automatically across industry databases:

Publication Date
Retail Price
Category/Subject
Product Images
Edition Format Notes
Distribution Rights
Sales Statistics
Publicity/Reviews

This metadata is maintained in the supply chain allowing customers, retailers and distributors to learn key details about your book quickly from the single ISBN. So ISBNs act as important relational identifiers connected to expansive descriptive book data feeding wider online visibility. Ensure details are kept updated.

Do eBooks Use ISBNs?

While print books use the 13-digit number for inventory tracking across physical supply chains, ebooks and digital publications actually use distinct identifiers called ASINs or other ebook identifiers specifically for online distribution sales channels. This avoids duplicate number conflicts between digital and print formats which may confuse buyer systems.

ASIN stands for Amazon Standard Identification Number and is a unique 10-character alphanumeric identifier that Amazon assigns to each ebook. ASINs only work on Amazon and are used by Kindle ebook readers to manage and synchronize ebook libraries.

So International Standard Book Number still uniquely identifies the intellectual book title and any commercial print editions. But digital ebook formats flowing through online-only sales channels utilize specialized ASIN codes or other identifiers compatible with top ebook retailers. This segmentation keeps the inventory tracking separate.

Ebook authors must associate their title to ASIN identifiers to distribute on Amazon Kindle and other major ebook platforms. Print ISBNs generally cannot be used directly for digital editions. Self-published ebook authors who only release digitally may not require any number assignment.

How ISBNs Connect Books Globally?

What makes International Standard Book Numbers so incredibly useful is that they interlink millions of print books worldwide across a single cohesive identification system spanning publishers, distributors, booksellers, and libraries everywhere, both digitally and physically.

The shared global standardization of the International Standard Book Number format means any book can be uniquely identified and tracked across all sales channels, languages, and borders to:

Streamline ordering and returns processing between publishers, distributors and retailers
Integrate shared title, author and publisher databases across systems
Allow customers to easily search and find books at local booksellers based on International Standard Book Number
Help retailers categorize inventory based on standardized publisher and subject metadata
Eliminate ambiguity between book edition variants during sales
Provide publishers valuable real-time sales channel analytics based on ISBN scans

No matter the country, language, or retailer, the 13-digit number ties every commercially published book together into a single universal indexing system, supporting sales globally.

Future of ISBNs

While established for over 50 years supporting print book distribution, the core values and processes behind International Standard Book Numbers remain highly relevant in our increasingly digital-first ebook world. This is evidenced by ISBNs still going strong, with over 365 million registered numbers assigned across over 154 designated national agencies as of 2023.

However, to modernize International Standard Book Number for more efficient digital identification, updated ‘ISBN-A’ proxy identifiers are starting to get introduced to better support online bookselling channels on top of the legacy 13-digit ISBN standard.

Additionally, newer digital-first products like audio books, book apps, blogs, serial content and multimedia bundles are exploring ways to leverage ISBN-type identifiers to better catalog and manage emerging digital formats.

Yet the need to accurately identify and track iterative book releases across fragmented global supply chains will keep core ISBNs essential for managing print inventory despite industry shifts to digital. By neatly encompassing important metadata within a short unique number sequence, ISBNs offer a future-proof method for publishers, distributors and sellers to cooperate universally.

In Summary The International Standard Book Number remains the globally accepted 979 prefix registration identifier cementing order and visibility across international publishing. Assigned to each commercial book edition, compact 13-digit numbers establish a common language linking publishers, distributors, booksellers and readers to accurately exchange and track inventory across channels anywhere worldwide. As the universal book product code greasing wheels of the expansive print supply chain, ISBNs are indispensable identities interconnecting books globally through underlying metadata meaning.

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ISBN Numbers: The Ultimate Guide

February 22, 2023
Catalog Enhancement

What is ISBN?

ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifier assigned to books, e-books, and other publications. This system was first introduced in 1967 and has since become the global standard for identifying books. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide everything you need to know about ISBN numbers, including their history, how they are assigned, and their importance in the publishing industry.

History of ISBN

The ISBN system was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the late 1960s to address the growing need for a standardized identification system for books. The first ISBN was assigned to a book titled “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain in 1967. Since then, the system has been widely adopted and expanded to cover other forms of media.

ISBN Format

An ISBN is a 13-digit number that is divided into four parts, each separated by a hyphen. The first part identifies the language or country of origin, the second part identifies the publisher, the third part identifies the title of the publication, and the fourth part is a check digit that ensures the ISBN is valid.

The ISBN Five Parts

The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is composed of five parts, which are:

Prefix Element – This identifies the specific language or geographic location in which the publication was issued. It is represented by either a 978 or 979 prefix.
Registration Group Element – This identifies the country or group of countries participating in the ISBN system. It is a number between 0 and 9.
Registrant Element – This identifies the publisher or the individual responsible for publishing or distributing the book.
Publication Element – This identifies the specific title, edition, and format of the publication.
Check Digit – This is a single digit at the end of the ISBN that is calculated using a mathematical formula to ensure the accuracy of the other digits in the number.

ISBN-10 vs. ISBN-13

In 2007, the ISBN system was updated to a 13-digit format to accommodate the growing number of publications and the need for more unique identifiers. While the ISBN-10 format is still used in some countries, it is gradually being phased out in favor of the ISBN-13 format, which provides more options for identifying publications.

How to Obtain an ISBN

Obtaining an ISBN is a relatively simple process. In most countries, you can apply for an ISBN through your national ISBN agency. The application process typically involves providing information about your book, such as the title, author, and publisher. Once your application is approved, you will be assigned a unique ISBN that can be used to identify your book in the marketplace.

The Importance of ISBN

ISBNs are essential for the publishing industry as they provide a standard method of identifying books and other publications. They are used by booksellers, libraries, and publishers to track inventory and sales, and they enable readers to easily find and purchase books online and in stores. Additionally, many retailers and online marketplaces require books to have an ISBN in order to be sold.

Who needs an ISBN number?

The use of an ISBN is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended for authors, publishers, and distributors who wish to make their books available to a wider audience.

Here are some of the reasons why an ISBN may be required:

Sales : Many booksellers and online retailers require an ISBN in order to sell books. Having an ISBN makes it easier for booksellers to identify, list, and sell books in their inventory.
Libraries : Most libraries use ISBNs to catalog and identify books in their collection. Without an ISBN, it may be difficult for a book to be added to a library’s collection.
Discoverability : Having an ISBN makes it easier for readers to find and purchase books online and in bookstores. This can increase the visibility of a book and make it more accessible to potential readers.
Distribution : Distributors often require an ISBN in order to track inventory and sales of books. Without an ISBN, it may be more difficult to distribute books through various channels.
Credibility : Having an ISBN can lend credibility to a book and its author. It shows that the book has been professionally published and is part of the global publishing industry.
Copyright : In some countries, having an ISBN is a requirement for copyright registration. This can provide legal protection for authors and publishers, as well as help prevent copyright infringement.
International Distribution : If an author or publisher wants to distribute their book internationally, having an ISBN can make the process easier. The ISBN system is used in more than 200 countries, which means that books with an ISBN can be easily identified and sold in multiple markets.

In general, any individual or organization that plans to publish, distribute, or sell books should consider obtaining an ISBN. It is an essential component of the publishing industry that can make it easier to market, distribute, and sell books to a global audience.

The Differences Between an ISBN and a Barcode

While an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and a barcode may appear similar, they serve different purposes.

An ISBN is a unique identifier used to identify books, e-books, and other publications. It consists of a 13-digit number that is divided into five parts, which provide information about the language or geographic location, country or group of countries participating in the ISBN system, publisher, title, and a check digit to ensure accuracy.

On the other hand, a barcode is a graphical representation of a product’s unique identifier, which can be scanned at the point of sale to identify the product and retrieve its price and other details. Barcodes can be used for a variety of products, not just books.

While an ISBN is not always required, it can be beneficial for authors, publishers, and distributors who want to make their books more discoverable and accessible to potential readers. A barcode, on the other hand, is often required by booksellers and retailers to track inventory and sales of books, as well as facilitate the checkout process at the point of sale.

How do I look up an ISBN number?

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) lookup can be done through a variety of methods. Here are some of the most common ways to do an ISBN lookup:

Online Databases : There are several online databases, such as the ISBN Agency or Bowker Books In Print, that allow you to search for books by their ISBN. These databases can provide information about the book’s title, author, publisher, publication date, and other details.
Library Catalogs : Many libraries use ISBNs to catalog and identify books in their collection. You can search for books using their ISBN in a library’s online catalog or by using the library’s physical card catalog.
Booksellers : Booksellers, both online and in physical stores, often provide an ISBN lookup feature that allows you to search for books by their ISBN. This can be useful if you are looking to purchase a specific book.
Smartphone Apps : There are several smartphone apps, such as Book Crawler or ScanLife, that allow you to scan the ISBN barcode on a book and retrieve information about the book.

Is there an ISBN database?

There are several ISBN (International Standard Book Number) databases that are available online. These databases are designed to provide information about books and other publications by lookup by ISBN.

Here are some of the most commonly used ISBN databases:

International ISBN Agency : The International ISBN Agency maintains a database of all ISBNs assigned to books and other publications. This database can be searched by country, language, or publisher.
Bowker Books In Prin t: Bowker Books In Print is a database that provides bibliographic information on over 20 million book titles. It can be searched by author, title, or ISBN.
Google Books : Google Books is a database of millions of books that have been scanned and digitized. It can be searched by author, title, or ISBN.
Library of Congress : The Library of Congress maintains a database of books and other publications that have been cataloged by the library. This database can be searched by author, title, or ISBN.
Open Library : Open Library is a free, open-source database of over 20 million books. It can be searched by author, title, or ISBN.

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Looking up an ISBN can be done through an online ISBN database, barcode scanner app, library catalog, or bookseller. These methods allow you to quickly and easily find information about a book, including its title, author, publisher, and publication date. Cluster can identify products from both structured and unstructured data so customers can enhance their product listings with more attributes and robust data. Book a demo now !

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Demystifying the ISBN: A Practical Guide

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1 A Quick History of the ISBN
2 The Significance of ISBN in the Publishing World
3.1 The Prefix Element
3.2 The Registration Group
3.3 The Registrant
3.4 The Publication Element
3.5 The Check Digit
4 Decoding an ISBN
5 Understanding the Differences Between 10-Digit and 13-Digit ISBNs
6 Converting Between 10-Digit and 13-Digit ISBNs
7 The Significance of ISBN in Book Publishing and Cataloging
8 Reading ISBN Labels:
9 Establish Your Book’s Identity with AccuGraphiX – The Barcode People

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique numerical identifier for books, providing a simple and fast way for the global book industry to identify distinct book editions. It plays a crucial role in book cataloging, inventory management, and trade. This article will guide you on how to read ISBNs, including the differences between 10-digit and 13-digit ISBNs, and provide step-by-step instructions on decoding them.

A Quick History of the ISBN

The concept of an international standard for book numbering originated in the United Kingdom in 1965 with the creation of the Standard Book Numbering (SBN) system. This system was developed by Gordon Foster , an emeritus professor of statistics at Trinity College Dublin, at the request of British bookseller and stationer WHSmith. In 1967, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) adopted the British SBN for international use, creating the ISBN identification format.

The 10-digit ISBN format was developed by the ISO and was published in 1970 as the international standard ISO 2108. The initial ISBN identification format was based on the 9-digit SBN. A zero prefix could be added to a 9-digit SBN to create a 10-digit ISBN.

However, in January 2007, the ISBN system evolved from a 10-digit number to a 13-digit format. This change was implemented to align the ISBN with the European Article Number (EAN) system the retail industry uses.

The Significance of ISBN in the Publishing World

The ISBN system plays a key role in the publishing world. Its purpose is to determine and identify one title or edition of a title from a specific publisher. ISBNs ensure that books can be easily identified, making the marketing and selling of books more efficient for booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers, and distributors.

For readers, the ISBN provides a fast and easy way to search for specific editions of books online or in bookstores. This system is particularly useful for academics, who often need to cite particular editions of books in their work.

Breaking Down the Components of an ISBN

An ISBN consists of five parts, each separated by a hyphen. The five parts are as follows:

The Prefix Element

The prefix component is either ‘978’ or ‘979’. This prefix indicates that the product is a book.

The Registration Group

This single digit indicates the country or language group of the publication. All English-language books are assigned a ‘0’ or ‘1’.

The Registrant

This three-digit code identifies a particular publisher within a group.

The Publication Element

The publication element is a five-digit code that identifies a title or edition of a specific title.

The Check Digit

The check digit is the last digit of the ISBN, validating the ISBN. It can range from 0 to 9 or be an ‘X’ if the calculated check digit is 10.

Decoding an ISBN

Decoding an ISBN is a simple process once you understand the elements of the number. Let’s take a look at an example: ISBN 978-0-306-40615-7.

978: The prefix element indicates that the product is a book.
0: The registration group indicates that the book is an English-language publication.
306: This is the registrant identifying the publisher.
40615: This is the publication element, identifying the title or edition.
7: This is the check digit validating the ISBN.

Understanding the Differences Between 10-Digit and 13-Digit ISBNs

The primary difference between 10-digit and 13-digit ISBNs lies in the prefix element. A 10-digit ISBN does not have a prefix element, while a 13-digit ISBN starts with either ‘978’ or ‘979’.

The 10-digit ISBN system uses a check digit that ranges from 0 to 10, with ‘X’ being used for 10. On the other hand, the 13-digit ISBN system’s check digit ranges from 0 to 9. It doesn’t use ‘X’ as the 13-digit code needed to be compatible with the EAN format.

Converting Between 10-Digit and 13-Digit ISBNs

Converting a 10-digit ISBN to a 13-digit ISBN involves prepending ‘978’ to the 10-digit ISBN and recalculating the check digit using the 13-digit ISBN algorithm.

Converting a 13-digit ISBN to a 10-digit ISBN is more complex, as it involves removing the ‘978’ prefix and recalculating the check digit using the 10-digit ISBN algorithm. However, this conversion is only possible if the 13-digit ISBN starts with ‘978’. If it starts with ‘979’, there is no equivalent 10-digit ISBN.

The Significance of ISBN in Book Publishing and Cataloging

Understanding ISBNs is crucial for anyone buying, selling, or cataloging books. They provide a standardized way to identify books, ensuring efficient inventory management and accurate record-keeping.

For authors, securing an ISBN for their books is an essential step in the publishing process, whether self-publishing or working with a traditional publisher. It allows their books to be easily discovered and purchased by readers and is necessary for distribution in bookstores and libraries.

So, next time you pick up a book, take a moment to look at the ISBN. It’s more than just a string of numbers – it’s a key that unlocks vital information about the book in your hands.

Reading ISBN Labels:

Locate the ISBN: The ISBN is typically located on the back cover of a book, near the barcode. It can also be found on the copyright page.
Identify the Prefix Element: The first three digits of the ISBN are the prefix element. This should be either ‘978’ or ‘979’.
Identify the Registration Group: The registration group is the next digit after the prefix. It indicates the country or language group of the publication.
Identify the Registrant: The following three digits are the registrant, which identifies the publisher.
Identify the Publication Element: The next five digits are the publication element, identifying the title or edition of the title.
Identify the Check Digit: The final digit of the ISBN is the check digit. This validates the ISBN.

Each part of the ISBN provides vital information about the book. Understanding how to read one can help you quickly identify important information about a book, such as its language, publisher, and specific edition.

The ISBN provides a unique identifier for each book edition, facilitating efficient marketing, selling, and cataloging of books. A comprehensive understanding of this unique identifier is essential for anyone in the book industry.

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About the ISBN standard
Industry Standards
Helpful Links

FAQs: General Questions

FAQs: ISBN eligibility
FAQs: International Issues
FAQs: How Changes Affect the ISBN
FAQs: Ownership and Re-Usage Rights
FAQs: Formats Reprints Editions
FAQs: ebooks and ISBNs
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ISBN Converter

What is an ISBN? What is the purpose of an ISBN? What is the format of the ISBN? Does the ISBN have any meaning imbedded in the numbers? Why do some ISBNs end in an "X"? Who can assign ISBNs to a publisher? Who is eligible for an ISBN? How long does it take to get an ISBN? How much does it cost to get an ISBN? What do I do when I receive the ISBN and where is it printed? How & where do I register my ISBN? Can a publisher have both an ISBN & ISSN? How can I find an assigned ISBN? How are ISBNs used in a Bar Code & how do I obtain one? How do I select the correct amount of ISBNs? What is the format of the new ISBN-13? Does the ISBN-13 have any meaning embedded in the numbers? Where does an ISBN get placed on a book? What is the difference between a bar code and an ISBN? Does it matter where a book is printed? If a publisher is selling their books on their own and are not trying to place them in stores or libraries or with wholesalers, is an ISBN required? Do ISBNs have to be assigned to books that are not being sold? Are different ISBNs used if a book appears in different languages? Are custom publications assigned ISBNs?

What is an ISBN? The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published internationally.

What is the purpose of an ISBN? The purpose of the ISBN is to establish and identify one title or edition of a title from one specific publisher and is unique to that edition, allowing for more efficient marketing of products by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers and distributors.

What is the format of the ISBN? Every ISBN consists of thirteen digits and whenever it is printed it is preceded by the letters ISBN. The thirteen-digit number is divided into four parts of variable length, each part separated by a hyphen.

Group or country identifier which identifies a national or geographic grouping of publishers;
Publisher identifier which identifies a particular publisher within a group;
Title identifier which identifies a particular title or edition of a title;
Check digit is the single digit at the end of the ISBN which validates the ISBN.

Why do some ISBNs end in an "X"? In the case of the check digit, the last digit of the ISBN, the upper case X can appear. The method of determining the check digit for the ISBN is the modulus 11 with the weighting factors 10 to 1. The Roman numeral X is used in lieu of 10 where ten would occur as a check digit.

Who can assign ISBNs to a publisher? There are over 160 ISBN Agencies worldwide, and each ISBN Agency is appointed as the exclusive agent responsible for assigning ISBNs to publishers residing in their country or geographic territory. The United States ISBN Agency is the only source authorized to assign ISBNs to publishers supplying an address in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico and its database establishes the publisher of record associated with each prefix.

Once an ISBN publisher prefix and associated block of numbers has been assigned to a publisher by the ISBN Agency, the publisher can assign ISBNs to publications it holds publishing rights to. However, after the ISBN Agency assigns ISBNs to a publisher, that publisher cannot resell, re-assign, transfer, or split its list of ISBNs among other publishers. These guidelines have long been established to ensure the veracity, accuracy and continued utility of the international ISBN standard.

As defined by the ISO Standard, the ISBN publisher prefix (or "root" of the ISBN) identifies a single publisher. If a second publisher subsequently obtains an ISBN from the assigned publisher's block of ISBNs, there will be no change in the publisher of record for any ISBN in the block as originally assigned. Therefore, searches of industry databases for that re-assigned ISBN will identify the original owner of that assigned prefix as the publisher rather than the second publisher. Discovering this consequence too late can lead to extensive costs in applying for a new prefix, re-assigning a new ISBN, and potentially leading to the application of stickers to books already printed and in circulation.

If you are a new publisher, you should apply for your own ISBN publisher prefix and plan to identify and circulate your books properly in the industry supply chain. You may encounter offers from other sources to purchase single ISBNs at special offer prices; you should be wary of purchasing from these sources for the reasons noted above. There are unauthorized re-sellers of ISBNs and this activity is a violation of the ISBN standard and of industry practice. A publisher with one of these re-assigned ISBNs will not be correctly identified as the publisher of record in Books In Print or any of the industry databases such as Barnes and Noble or Amazon or those of wholesalers such as Ingram. If you have questions, contact the US ISBN Agency for further advice.

Who is eligible for an ISBN? The ISBN Agency assigns ISBNs at the direct request of publishers, e-book publishers, audio cassette and video producers, software producers and museums and associations with publishing programs.

How long does it take to get an ISBN? Allow 5 business days for non-priority processing from the time an ISBN application is received at the agency (not from the date sent by the publisher.) Priority processing is two business days from the time an application is received at the agency. Express processing is 24 business hours.

How much does it cost to get an ISBN? There is a service fee to process all ISBN applications. Service fee information is contained on the application. Priority and Express processing involve an additional fee.

NOTE: The processing service charge is NON-REFUNDABLE.

What do I do when I receive the ISBN and where is it printed? An ISBN should be assigned to each title or product, including any backlist or forthcoming titles. Each format or binding must have a separate ISBN (i.e. hardcover, paperbound, VHS video, laserdisc, e-book format, etc). A new ISBN is required for a revised edition. Once assigned, an ISBN can never be reused. An ISBN is printed on the lower portion of the back cover of a book above the bar code and on the copyright page.

How & where do I register my ISBN? Once ISBNs have been assigned to products they should be reported to R.R. Bowker as the database of record for the ISBN Agency. Companies are eligible for a free listing in various directories such as Books in Print, Words on Cassette, The Software Encyclopedia, Bowker's Complete Video Directory, etc.

NOTE: Receiving just your ISBNs does NOT guarantee title listings. To ensure your titles get in the Books in Print database you must submit your title information.

Book titles should be registered with Books in Print at www.bowkerlink.com

Can a publisher have both an ISBN & an ISSN? Both numbering systems are used for books in a series and with annuals or biennials. The ISBN identifies the individual book in a series or a specific year for an annual or biennial. The ISSN identifies the ongoing series, or the ongoing annual or biennial serial. If a publication has both, each should be printed on the copyright page.

How can I find an assigned ISBN? The Publications (hard copy listings) in which the assigned ISBNs appear are Publishers, Distributors & Wholesalers of the United States, published by R.R. Bowker, and Literary Market Place, published by Information Today.

How are ISBNs used in a Bar Code & how do I obtain one? The ISBN can be translated into a worldwide compatible bar code format. Publishers who wish to have their ISBNs translated into worldwide compatible bar codes can now make their request directly online at www.isbn.org or www.bowkerbarcode.com . Bar code scanning is a required step required by for many retailers in the sales transaction process for book publications and book-related items. We hope that offering this service will save you time and enable you to meet all of your transaction partners' requirements.

How do I select the correct amount of ISBNs? ISBNs are sold in blocks of 10, 100, and 1000. When purchasing ISBNs, we recommend that you estimate the amount of publications you will be publishing within the next five years, and select the block that best suits your needs. It is always best to select the block that will last you for a few years because you will be able to maintain one publisher prefix, and minimize the unit cost per ISBN. When purchasing a larger block of ISBNs, the price per ISBN decreases.

What is the format of the new ISBN-13? Every ISBN will consist of thirteen digits in 2007. The thirteen digit number is divided into five parts of variable length, each part separated by a hyphen.

The current ISBN-13 will be prefixed by "978"

Where does an ISBN get placed on a book? An ISBN gets placed on the copyright page and, if there is no bar code, on the back cover.

What is the difference between a bar code and an ISBN? An ISBN is a number. A bar code is the graphic with vertical lines that encodes numerical information for scanning purposes. An ISBN and a bar code are two different things.

Does it matter where a book is printed? No, books can be printed anywhere. ISBNs are assigned based on the geographical location of the publisher, not the printing company.

If a publisher is selling their books on their own and are not trying to place them in stores or libraries or with wholesalers, is an ISBN required? No, an ISBN is not required.

Do ISBNs have to be assigned to books that are not being sold? No, they do not have to be assigned, but they can be.

Are different ISBNs used if a book appears in different languages? Yes. Each language version is a different product.

Are custom publications assigned ISBNs? No, custom publications are not assigned ISBNs unless such assignment is necessary for a publisher’s back office systems, such as finance, since there is only one customer in such arrangements.

ISBN NEDİR?

ISBN, (International Standart Book Number) Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarasını ifade eder. ISBN atama işlemlerini yürütmekte olan ISBN Türkiye Ajansı, Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Kütüphaneler ve Yayımlar Genel Müdürlüğü bünyesinde hizmet vermektedir. ISBN’in uluslararası merkezi, İngiltere’de International ISBN Agency’dir.

ISBN’i oluşturan rakamlar, beş gruptan oluşur. Birinci grup eski adı EAN (European Article Number) olan, GS1 (Global Standards One) Küresel Ofisi tarafından düzenlenen ve sadece ISBN standardı için Uluslararası ISBN Ajansına tahsis edilen benzersiz üç basamaklı bir dizidir. İkinci grup yayının yapıldığı ülkeyi, üçüncü grup yayımcıyı, dördüncü grup materyale ait sıra numarasını ifade eder. Beşinci grupta ISBN’in doğruluğunun denetimini sağlayan tek haneli bir rakamdır.

Örnek: 978-975-17-3133-3

978: GS1 kodu

975: Ülke, coğrafî bölge ya da dil alanı

17: Yayıncı ön sayısı

3133: Yayın numarası

3: Kontrol numarası

ISBN,ISO 2108 koduyla tanımlanır. (ISO-Uluslararası Standartlar Organizasyonu)

ISBN hangi materyallere atanır?

Basılı kitaplar (monograflar)
Broşürler (kitap niteliği taşıyan), el kitapları
Basılı kitapların dijitalleştirilmiş (sayısallaştırılmış) kopyaları.
İnternet ortamı veya herhangi bir fiziksel taşıyıcıda okunabilen elektronik kitaplar.
Kaset, CD veya DVD formatındaki sesli kitaplar, konuşan kitaplar.
Braille yayınları.

Yayın Standartları ve Derleme Bilgi Sistemi nedir?

Standart numaralara ilişkin başvuru ve atama işlemlerinin yürütüldüğü ve derleme nüshalarının işlendiği programdır. Öncelikle ISBN başvurusu için bu programa giriş yapılmalıdır.

Yayın Standartları ve Derleme Bilgi Sistemine nasıl giriş yapabilirim?

https://ekygm.gov.tr/ adresinden “Yayın Standartları ve Derleme Bilgi Sistemi’ne, T.C. numarası ve e-devlet şifresiyle giriş yapmalısınız.

Türkiye’de ikamet edip de Türk Vatandaşı olmayan yayıncılar ise Ajans personeliyle iletişime geçmek suretiyle atanan kullanıcı adı/şifreyle sisteme giriş yapabilmektedir.

ISBN almak için ne yapmalıyım?

Kendi eserini yayınlamak isteyen yazarlar,

Yayın Standartları ve Derleme Bilgi Sistemine giriş akabinde “Yeni Yayıncı Başvurusu” na tıklayarak yayımcı kaydı tamamlanmalıdır. Bu işlemden sonra, “ISBN Başvuru Formu” doğru ve eksiksiz doldurarak ISBN talebinde bulunabilirler.

Başvuru sonunda atanan numarayı sistemde “ISBN Almış Eserlerim” alanında görebilirsiniz.

Yayınevleri, şirketler, kamu kurumları, dernekler, vb.

ISBN başvurusu yapabilmek için “Sertifika” almanız zorunlu olup, sertifika işlemleri “Telif Hakları Genel Müdürlüğü” tarafından yürütülmektedir. “Sertifika” almak için, Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Telif Hakları Genel Müdürlüğü’nün internet sayfasından online başvuruda bulunmalı; istenen belgeleri, bulunduğunuz İlin İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğüne iletmelisiniz.

Sertifikanızı aldıktan sonra Yayın Standartları ve Derleme Bilgi Sistemine giriş yaparak, “Yeni Yayıncı Başvurusu” yapmalısınız. Daha sonra “ ISBN Başvuru Formunu” doğru ve eksiksiz doldurarak ISBN talebinde bulunabilirsiniz. İşlemleri sistemden atayacağınız yetkili/yetkililer aracılığıyla yürütebilir; eserlerinize atanan numaraları sistemde “ISBN Almış Eserlerim” alanında görebilirsiniz.

ISBN faydaları nelerdir?

Ulusal anlamda kitaba dair ilk veriler ISBN veri tabanımızda oluşturulmakta; bu veri tabanı programlararası entegrasyon aracılığıyla Milli Kütüphane, halk kütüphaneleri, TBMM Kütüphanesi, Dergipark vb. veri tabanlarına temel kaynak teşkil etmektedir.
Yayımcıyı tanımlayan ön sayı ve yayımcı bilgileri Uluslararası ISBN Ajansına iletilmekte; yayıncı,Uluslararası ISBN Ajans veri tabanında tanınır ve erişilebilir kılınmaktadır.
ISBN, yayını tanımlayan tekil, benzersiz ve uluslararası bir koddur. Atanan numara, uzun bibliyografik tanımlayıcı kayıtların yerine geçmektedir ki bu sayede zaman ve işgücünden tasarruf edilir.
ISBN, barkod üretiminde kullanılması nedeniyle ticari dağıtım sistemlerine hız ve etkinlik kazandırarak yayımcılar ve kitap satıcıları arasında etkin ve ekonomik bir iletişim sağlayacağı gibi materyal siparişlerine, ticari işlemlere hız kazandırmaktadır.
Kütüphane veri tabanlarında bibliyografik taramanın bir unsurunu oluşturmakta; materyal sağlama, hizmete sunma, ödünç verme vb. kütüphanecilik işlemlerinde kolaylık sağlamaktadır.
Telif hakları ve bandrol yönetimi ISBN temelinde yürütülür. ISBN, 31 Ocak 2023 tarihi itibarıyla bandrol başvurularında zorunlu hale gelmiştir.
ISBN istatistiki verileri hem tek tek yayıncı verimliliği hem de ulusal yayımcılık verilerinin değerlendirilmesinde en önemli ölçütlerden birini teşkil etmektedir.
Daha önce ISBN alan bir materyal, aynı yayımcı tarafından farklı bir adla ya da başka bir yayımcı tarafından basılacaksa yeni bir ISBN alınması gerekir.
İçeriğinde ve biçiminde değişiklik yapılarak yeniden basılacak materyal için, yeni bir ISBN alınır. Ancak materyal hiçbir değişiklik olmaksızın yeniden yayınlanacaksa yeni bir ISBN almasına gerek yoktur.
Aynı yayımcı tarafından bir materyal için alınmış olan ISBN yayımcının başka bir materyali için kullanılamaz.
Aynı materyal, farklı dillerde basılacak ise her bir dil için ayrı ISBN alır.
Ortak yayıncıların yayımladığı bir eser söz konusu ise; yayımcıların tercihine göre, isteniyorsa ortak yayımcılardan sadece biri adına ISBN alınıp, ISBN verisinde ortak yayıncıların tamamının adı geçirilir. İstenirse her bir yayıncı kendi adına ayrı ayrı ISBN alabilir ve veri girişinde yine ortak yayıncıların adları belirtilebilir.

Derleme Nedir?

6279 Sayılı Çoğaltılmış Fikir ve Sanat Eserlerini Derleme Kanunu kapsamına giren eserlerden belirli sayıdaki nüshaların, mükellefler tarafından derleme birimlerine teslim edilmesini, belirli kütüphanelerde toplanmasını, elverişli ortamlarda saklanmasını, korunmasını, düzenlenmesini, toplumun bilgi ve yararına sunulmasını ve gelecek nesillere bilgi aktarılmasını sağlayan faaliyettir.

Hangi eserler derlenir?

a) Kitap, kabartma harfli kitap, kitapçık, ansiklopedi, albüm, atlas ve nota gibi tek başına ya da bir takımın veya bir dizinin parçası niteliğinde olan ayrı yayımlanmış eserler.

b) Gazete, dergi, yıllık, bülten, takvim gibi süreli yayınlar.

c) Afiş, kartpostal, gravür, reprodüksiyon, basılı fotoğraf gibi grafik eserler.

ç) Veri içeren her türlü slayt, şerit, film parçası, makara, kaset, kartuş, film ve mikroform gibi materyal.

d) Her türlü bilgisayar, müzik ve video cihazlarında kullanılmak üzere üretilmiş ses, görüntü ve veri içeren optik ve manyetik ortamlara kaydedilerek çoğaltılmış eserler.

e) Prospektüsleriyle birlikte blok veya tek olarak pul ve kağıt paralar.

f) Coğrafik, jeolojik, topografik ya da meteorolojik harita, plan ve krokiler.

g) Yurt dışında basımı veya çoğaltımı yapılarak, yurt içinde satışı ve dağıtımı yapılan eserler.

ğ) Elektronik ortamda üretilerek kullanıma sunulmuş elektronik yayınlar.

Eserlerimi nereye teslim etmeliyim?

İstanbul’da yayın yapan yayıncıların, yayımladıkları eserlerden 6’şar nüshayı İstanbul Derleme Müdürlüğüne ( Rami Kütüphanesi yerleşkesi, Yeni Rami Mah. Rami Kışla Cad. G blok, No:98/1 Eyüpsultan/İstanbul Tel: 0212 518 17 40) ; diğer illerde yayın yapan yayıncıların ise yine aynı sayıdaki nüshayı bulundukları ilin İl Halk Kütüphanelerine teslim etmesi gerekmektedir.

Eserinizi, başvuru sırasında belirttiğiniz basım tarihinden sonra 15 gün içerisinde derleme birimine teslim etmeniz gerekmektedir.

Yerel ve bölgesel gazeteler sadece bir nüsha; (c), (ç), (d), (e), (f) maddelerinde sıralananlar 2 nüsha olarak derlenir.

Elektronik yayınlar Milli Kütüphane tarafından derlenmekte olup derleme işlemleri için https://e-derlemevg.mkutup.gov.tr/logineydes.net adresini kullanınız. Sistemin kullanımına ilişkin aynı adreste yer alan “EYDeS Kullanım Kılavuzu”na tıklayarak bilgi alabilirsiniz.

Elektronik yayınların derlenmesi için iletişim no: 0 312 470 8132 / 0 312 470 5412

Lütfen derleme nüshalarını “Bandrol Uygulamasına İlişkin Usul ve Esaslar Hakkında Yönetmeliği” doğrultusunda bandrollü olarak gönderiniz.

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ISBN – Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası – International Standard Book Number Nedir? | Nelere ISBN Verilir? ISBN Nasıl Alınır? ISBN’ nin Kon..

Hale - 16 Mart 2012 Türk Edebiyatı ve Edebi Kişilikler 0 0 Okunma : 3655

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ISBN – Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası – International Standard Book Number

ISBN (International Standard Book Number – Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası) 1970 yılından önce basılan kitaplarda bu bilgi bulunmaz.

ISBN Nedir?

* ISBN (International Standard Book Number), hızla değişen ve gelişen dünyamızda artan bilgi üretimini izleyebilmek ve geniş çapta kullanıma sunmak için 1972 yılında Uluslararası Standartlar Organizasyonu (ISO) tarafından hazırlanan ve üye ülkelerin onayı ile yürürlüğe giren bir kitap numaralama sistemidir.

* Amaç, kitap numaralarının uluslararası bir yöntemle düzenlenerek standardize edilip, Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası (ISBN) verilerek belirli bir yayımcının yayınladığı bir materyalin kimliğini tanımlamaktır.

* ISBN sistemi, yayınlanan her materyale bir tanımlama numarası verir. Bu numara beş grup ve 13 haneden oluşur. Birinci grup 978 EAN kodu olarak ISBN’e eklenmiştir ve ISBN’in bir parçası olmuştur. İkinci grup yayının yapıldığı ülkeyi, üçüncü grup yayımcıyı, dördüncü grup materyale ait sıra numarasını belirler. Beşinci grup da ISBN’ nin doğruluğunun denetimini sağlayan tek haneli bir rakamdır.

Örneğin; Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı, Kütüphaneler ve Yayımlar Genel Müdürlüğünün 2007 yılında yayınladığı “Anadolu’da Türk Devri Çini ve Seramik Sanatı” adlı yayının ISBN’i 978-975-17-3298-9 dur. 978 ISBN ön kodu, 975 Türkiye temsil etmekte, 17 Kültür ve Turizim Bakanlığı’nın ön sayısı, 3298 Bakanlığın yayın numarasını gösterir ve 9 denetim numarasıdır.

Nelere Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası (ISBN) verilir?

Basılı materyal (kitap, katalog, yıllık vb.) Mikroformlar Video, film ve kasetler (eğitim amaçlı) Karma yayın araçları (kitap+kaset, kitap+CD gibi) Bilgisayar yazılımları (eğitim amaçlı) Atlas ve haritalar Braille alfabesiyle yazılmış materyal Elektronik yayınlar (http, www, ftp, CD, disket vb.)

Nelere Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası (ISBN) verilmez?

Takvim ve günlükler El yazması eserler Broşürler Poster, afiş ve gazeteler Gösteri programları (tiyatro, müzikal, resital, konser vb.) Okul müfredat programları Formlar Ajandalar Fiyat listeleri, satış ve reklam katalogları, reçeteler Kitap haline getirilmemiş makale, genelge, yönerge vb. materyal

ISBN nasıl alınır?

* ISBN sistemine katılabilmek için yayımcı bilgileri ile yayımcının gelecek on yıl için basmayı tasarladığı yayın sayısını içeren “Yayımcı Başvuru Formu” doldurularak ISBN Türkiye Ajansı’na (Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Kütüphaneler ve Yayımlar Genel Müdürlüğü; Necatibey Cad. No:55 Sıhhiye ANKARA T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı) başvurulur.

* ISBN’ nin zamanında yayımcıya ulaştırılabilmesi için “Materyale ait Bilgiler Formu” nun yayın baskıya girmeden yaklaşık bir ay önce, eksiksiz olarak ISBN Türkiye Ajansı’nda olabilecek biçimde ulaştırılması gerekir.

* Başvuru, Ajansa ulaştığında yayımcıya, on yıllık yayın kapasitesiyle orantılı bir yayımcı ön sayısı belirlenerek buna bağlı numara grubu ayrılır. Bu sayı grubu sadece o yayımcıya aittir.

Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı’nın yayımcı ön sayısı 17 dir ve sadece Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı’nın yayınlarında kullanılır.

* Yayımcı Başvuru Formu, ISBN sistemine ilk giriş için bir kez doldurur.

* Yayımcılar, basımla ilgili bilgileri kesinleşmiş her bir materyal için

* “Materyale Ait Bilgiler Formu” nu doldurarak Ajansa iletir.

* Başvuru formları, faks ile gönderilebileceği gibi E-mail aracılığı ile de ulaştırılabilir. Yayımcılar, başvuru sonrasında materyale ait bibliyografik bilgileri ve numaralarını İnternetteki Web sayfamızdan da öğrenebilirler. Ayrıca, E-mail adreslerini veren yayımcılara, ISBN otomatik olarak iletileceği gibi, yayımcılar Ajansı telefonla aradıkları takdirde numaralarını alabilirler. Ancak resmi bildirim, formun aslı Ajansa ulaştığında yayımcıya gönderilir.

* Formlarda, ISBN verilen yayımcı konumundaki kişi ve kuruluşlarla ilgili bilgiler ile kaşe, mühür, sorumlu ad ve imzalarının yer alması gerekir.

ISBN’ nin Kontrolü

Ajansta kayıtlı bulunan ve İnternete aktarılan bibliyografik bilgilerin doğruluğunun ve ISBN’nin standartlara uygun basılıp basılmadığının denetlenebilmesi için, basımdan hemen sonra materyalin bir örneği Ajansa gönderilmelidir. Aksi takdirde, materyal ulusal ve ticari bibliyografyalarda yer almayacağı gibi internete aktarılan veriler de yanlış ve eksik kalacaktır.

ISBN’ nin Sağladığı Yararlar

* Yayımcı ön sayısı verilen yayımcılara ilişkin bilgiler, altı ayda bir Uluslararası ISBN Merkezine bildirilmekte, Merkez tarafından yayınlanan “Uluslararası Yayımcı Kataloğu” aracılığı ile bu sisteme kayıtlı ülkelere duyurulmaktadır. ISBN alan materyale ilişkin bilgiler, ISBN Türkiye Ajansı olarak Kütüphaneler Genel Müdürlüğü’nce ilgili çevrelere iletilmektedir.

* ISBN, barkod üretiminde yoğun olarak kullanılması nedeniyle, ticari dağıtım sistemlerine hız ve etkinlik kazandırarak yayımcılar ve kitap satıcıları arasında etkin ve ekonomik bir iletişim sağlayacağı gibi, materyal siparişlerine, yazışmalara ve bibliyografik tarama işlemlerine de hız kazandırmaktadır.

* Kütüphane içi sipariş, satın alma ve ödünç verme ile kütüphanelerarası ödünç verme işlemlerini, toplu katalogların oluşturulmasını kolaylaştırmaktadır.

Açıklamalar

* Daha önce ISBN alan bir materyal, aynı yayımcı tarafından farklı bir adla ya da başka bir yayımcı tarafından basılacaksa yeni bir ISBN alınması gerekir. Ayrı basımlar için yeni bir ISBN alınır.

* İçeriğinde ve biçiminde değişiklik yapılarak yeniden basılacak materyal için, yeni bir ISBN alınır. Ancak materyal hiçbir değişiklik olmaksızın yeniden yayınlanacaksa yeni bir ISBN almasına gerek yoktur.

* Aynı yayımcı tarafından bir materyal için alınmış olan ISBN, aynı yayımcının başka bir materyali için kullanılamaz.

* Aynı materyal, farklı dillerde basılacak ise her bir dil için ayrı ISBN alır ve dili Materyale Ait Bilgiler Formu’nda belirtilir.

* Materyal, birden çok yayımcı tarafından ortak yayın olarak işlem görecekse, her yayımcının kendi yayımcı ön sayısı üzerinden ISBN alması gerekir.

* Yılda bir kere yayınlanacak materyale ISBN ile birlikte ISSN (Uluslararası Standart Süreli Yayın Numarası) de verilir.

* Yayımcının, ilk başvuruda belirlediği yayınlar için aldığı önsayı grubu bittiğinde yeni yayınları için ikinci bir yayımcı ön sayısı verilir.

* ISBN alınan yayının bibliyografik bilgilerinde bir değişiklik varsa, kayıtların düzeltilebilmesi için Ajansa bildirilir.

* Birden fazla ciltten oluşan yayınlarda her cilde verilen ISBN yanında bütün ciltlerde ortak kullanılmak üzere bir de takım numarası verilir.

ISBN 975-6856-00-9 (tk. no) ISBN 975-6856-01-7 (1.c.)

* Birden fazla yayından oluşan setler için (ayrı ayrı satılmayacağı kesinse) tek bir ISBN alınır ve set içerisindeki her yayına aynı numara basılır.

* ISBN sistemine kayıtlı şirket statüsündeki bir yayımcıya ait yayın hakları başka bir kişi ya da kurum tarafından satın alındığında ya da yayımcının yayın hayatına son vermesi durumunda Ajans bilgilendirilir.

* Yayımcı isim değişikliği yapmış ise yeni bir yayımcı ön sayısı için Ajansa başvurmalıdır.

* Yazarlar herhangi bir yayıneviyle anlaşmadan da kişisel olarak ISBN sistemine kayıt olabilir ve yayımcı ön sayısı alabilir.

* Üniversitelere bağlı birimlerle Bakanlıklara bağlı alt birimler bağlı bulundukları birimin yayımcı ön sayısını kullanırlar. Üniversitelere bağlı alt birimler ISBN almak istediklerinde, “Materyale Ait Bilgiler Formu” nu üniversitelerin yayın kurulu ya da kütüphane dokümantasyon birimlerince onaylatarak, kurum kaşesi, yetkilisinin adı soyadı ve imzası ile Ajansa gönderir.

* Birlikler, odalar, holdingler vb. bağlı oldukları üst birimin yayımcı ön sayısı üzerinden numara alır.

Makine Mühendisleri Odası, Türk Mühendis ve Mimar Odaları Birliği gibi

* Alındığı halde basılmayan ya da yanlış basılan ISBN’ nin hiçbir geçerliliği yoktur. Bu gibi durumlarda Ajans bilgilendirilir. * ISBN telif hakkını koruyucu bir sistem değildir. * Fiyat değişiklikleri yeni bir ISBN alınmasını gerektirmez.

Kaynak: Kadim Dostlar ™ Forum Bu içerik 25.02.2009 tarihinde Hale tarafından, Türk Edebiyatı ve Edebi Kişilikler bölümünde paylaşılmıştır ve 1734 kez okunmuştur. Bu içeriğin devamında incelemek isteyebileceğiniz 1 adet mesaj daha bulunmaktadır. ISBN - Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası - International Standard Book Number Nedir? | Nelere ISBN Verilir? ISBN Nasıl Alınır? ISBN’ nin Kontrolü - ISBN’ nin Sağladığı Yararlar orjinal içeriğine ulaşmak için tıklayın ...

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What Is An ISBN? The Ultimate ISBN Guide

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number and is used as a product identifier for publishers, booksellers, libraries, and online retailers, enabling efficient ordering, listing, sales tracking, and inventory management.

This article is split into two parts: ISBN basics, which covers the fundamentals of ISBNs and the theory, and then ISBN Practical which covers what authors need to know and do.

Part I: ISBN Basics

Before we go into the practical parts of ISBNs, you might want to learn the more basic aspects to get an understanding of the foundations. If that doesn’t interest you, you can always skip ahead to the ISBN Practical section to learn about what to actually do.

How Many Digits Are In an ISBN?

ISBNs used to be just 10 digits in length, up to the end of December 2006, but since January 1st, 2007, ISBNs are 13 digits long.

What Do the ISBN Numbers Mean?

The numbers are calculated using a proprietary formula and include a check digit to validate the number.

ISBNs are split into 5 unique chunks that are separated by spaces or hyphens. Two chunks or sections are fixed in length, and the other three chunks are variable.

Let’s explore what each element means:

Prefix Element (3 digits, fixed)

The prefix element of an ISBN is the part of the number indicating that it is an ISBN. Both 978 and 979 prefixes are reserved for this purpose.

Registration Group Element (1-5 digits, variable)

This element identifies the specific country, geographical region, or language area participating in the ISBN system. The length can vary from 1 to 5 digits, depending on the number of publishers within that region.

Registrant Element (up to 7 digits, variable)

The registrant element identifies the particular publisher or imprint (an imprint refers to a specific trade name or brand under which a work is published). This part of the ISBN can be up to 7 digits long, allowing for a large number of unique identifiers for different publishers or publishing entities.

Publication Element (up to 6 digits, variable)

The publication element identifies the particular edition and format of a specific title. It can be up to 6 digits long, allowing for differentiation between various editions, formats (such as hardcover, paperback, or ebook), and special versions of a book.

Check Digit Element (1 digit, fixed)

The check digit is the final digit of the ISBN and is calculated using a Modulus 10 system with alternate weights of 1 and 3. Its purpose is to validate the accuracy of the rest of the ISBN. If any part of the ISBN is entered incorrectly, the check digit will not match, indicating an error.

Why are ISBNs Important?

Because ISBNs are identifiers, without them, it would be nearly impossible to quickly and efficiently identify a specific book title, especially books that have the exact same titles or books that have multiple versions or editions. Just like citizens in a country have passport numbers that can tell two different John Smiths apart, books also have unique codes.

Part II: ISBN Practical

In this practical section, you’ll learn how to actually use an ISBN and any questions that you might have around using them.

Do ISBNs Copyright My Book?

No. Unfortunately not. An ISBN is simply a unique identifier used to track and manage books in the marketplace. It helps identify the book, its edition, and the publisher, but it does not provide copyright protection.

To copyright your book, you will need to register it with the appropriate copyright office in your country.

What Type of Publication Can I Use ISBNs For?

ISBNs are assigned to individual, one-time, complete, and standalone publications like books. They are not meant to be used for serial publications such as journals, newspapers, encyclopedias, yearbooks, or multi-volume sets. Serials have their own identification systems, such as ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) designed specifically for their periodic and recurring nature.

Can I Use ISBNs for Book Series?

If a book series consists of standalone volumes that can be read independently (meaning each book has its own complete storyline or content), each book in the series should have its own unique ISBN. This allows each book to be cataloged, sold, and tracked independently.

Do Different Book Formats Require Separate ISBNs?

Yes, each book format (i.e. paperback, hardback) requires a separate & unique ISBN. If you choose to assign an ISBN to your e-book, then you’ll need another ISBN as well.

Does an E-Book Need An ISBN?

The use of ISBNs for digital books (e-books) is not mandatory in all countries, and the requirement varies depending on the publisher, distributor, and the platform through which the e-book is being sold. On platforms like Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Nook, and others, they have their own identification systems to manage digital books, however, they do offer the ability to assign an ISBN to an E-Book, should you wish to.

Does an Audiobook Need An ISBN?

It depends on the country or platform that determines whether you need an ISBN for audiobooks, just like with e-books.

If you are planning to distribute your audiobook through major digital platforms such as Audible, Apple Books, or Google Play, these platforms typically use their own unique identifiers for tracking and managing audiobooks, so they don’t require an ISBN.

If you are producing physical CD copies of your audiobook, then some retailers and distributors prefer or require you to have an ISBN for cataloging and sales tracking purposes. The same goes with submitting your audiobook to libraries & educational institutions, as they tend to require ISBNs as well.

Even if not required, it’s always good to assign an ISBN, just in case if you plan on having the most options available in the future.

Why Assign an ISBN to an E-Book?

Although ISBNs in most cases are not required for e-books, many self-published authors still choose to assign ISBNs to their e-books for the following benefits:

Easier Cataloging & Discovery: Most libraries and educational institutions require ISBNs be assigned to digital books because they ensure the e-book is properly cataloged in their databases, which makes it easier for these organizations and the end readers to discover the book.

Greater International Distribution: Having an ISBN assigned to your e-book could facilitate distribution in certain regions, as some retailers or distributors in specific countries may require ISBNs on digital versions.

Increased Professionalism: Having an ISBN puts your e-book in the league of the global book market, and enhances the credibility & professional profile of your digital book, making it more attractive to educational institutions, libraries, or other organizations who may be interested in cataloging it.

Allows Differentiating Editions: If you have multiple versions or editions of your e-book (such as different file formats), assigning unique ISBNs can help differentiate these editions, making it easier to help end readers identify the exact version they may be looking for.

Do I Need an ISBN as a Self-Published Author?

If you plan on publishing in print, then yes, you will need an ISBN for every version of your book. For example, you would need one ISBN for your paperback book, and one ISBN for your hardback book. You can optionally assign another ISBN to your e-book if you so choose (read the above section about the benefits of doing so).

Do I Need to Buy an ISBN?

There are typically two ways in which you don’t have to buy an ISBN, but each has their own limitations.

The first way is if your country’s ISBN agency freely gives out ISBNs, to promote publishing within their borders, especially for local authors and publishers. Other country’s ISBN agencies have a fee associated with securing an ISBN. If you’re lucky enough to be a resident of or be eligible to publish within a country that offers free ISBNs, then that’s great news! Otherwise, you may need to consider the second option. Check with your country’s ISBN agency to see if there is a fee or not.

The second way to secure a free ISBN is to check if the self-publishing platform that you plan to go with offers a “free” ISBN. For example, Amazon KDP (see below the full list) offers a “free” ISBN that you can assign to your print book as you configure it for distribution. The reason it’s in double quotes is because there is a major caveat: You cannot use that free ISBN anywhere else outside of that platform! This makes it severely limiting, especially if you want to self-publish your book through multiple platforms, channels, and distributors, or eventually have a traditional publisher take it on. Therefore, in the second option, it’s always better to buy your own ISBNs for maximum flexibility and options.

What Platforms Offer a “Free” ISBN?

Below is a list of platforms that currently offer “free” ISBNs. Remember, that you don’t own the free ISBN, and that it’s limited for use on that platform. Therefore, if you plan on self-publishing on multiple platforms, you’re better off buying your own ISBNs that you fully control.

IngramSpark (US Customers Only)
Draft2Digital

Where Do I Buy an ISBN?

To purchase your own ISBNs, you’ll need to first locate your country’s ISBN agency and then follow their process for securing your own ISBNs. See the full list of global ISBN agencies here .

For quick access, below is a list of the ISBN agencies in English speaking countries:

United Kingdom & Ireland – https://www.nielsenisbnstore.com/Home/Isbn
United States – https://www.myidentifiers.com/identify-protect-your-book/isbn/buy-isbn
Canada – https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng/services/publishers/isbn/Pages/apply-isbn.aspx
Australia – https://www.myidentifiers.com.au/identify-protect-your-book/isbn/buy-isbn
New Zealand – https://natlib.govt.nz/publishers-and-authors/isbns-issns-and-ismns/isn
South Africa – https://www.nlsa.ac.za/bscm/pre_publication_application/

Can I Buy ISBNs In Bulk?

Many of the ISBN agencies that offer ISBNs for a fee allow you to purchase bulk numbers to save money, leading to a lower overall cost per ISBN. You’ll need to check with your agency to see if they offer ISBNs in bulk.

Let’s say you’re self-publishing your book in three versions – paperback, hardback, and e-book, and assuming you’re planning to assign an ISBN to your e-book, then you’ll need a total of three ISBNs. Instead of purchasing three individual ISBNs, it makes more sense to buy a pack of 10, which leaves 7 left over for potential books or versions (possibly an audiobook?) that you may want to release in the future. You might also be saving a bit of money in the process as well.

How Are ISBNs Issued & Assigned?

ISBNs are assigned by each country’s ISBN agency and then issued to publishers or self-publishers that will register them to their book titles or variations.

When ISBNs are purchased or requested, the agency will ask for the publisher’s name, however, if you are self-publishing, then you can list your name as the publisher if you are not self-publishing through your own company. If you are using a “free” ISBN from a print-on-demand platform like Amazon KDP for example, the publisher will be listed as “independently published”. If you would rather have control over what this name is (also known as an imprint), then it’s best to get your own ISBNs directly from an ISBN agency.

What is an Imprint?

In the publishing industry, an imprint refers to a specific trade name or brand under which a book or a line of books is published. All you need to know as a self-published author, is that the imprint can be your author name, a brand name you choose to self-publish your books under, or if you self-publish your books under your own company, then it can be the company name.

ISBNs vs. Barcodes

An ISBN is not the same as a barcode. The ISBN is the actual number, and the barcode is the visual representation of that number that allows for barcode readers to read the ISBN. The book barcode can also optionally contain another number (IAN or EAN [International or European Article Number]) that identifies the price of a book and the currency it’s sold in.

If you are self-publishing through a print-on-demand platform, these tend to automatically generate barcodes for you, either on the cover design template or after the cover has been uploaded to their platform.

Can You Reuse An ISBN?

Unfortunately not. Once an ISBN has been assigned to a published title or version of a book, it cannot be reused. If you want to publish another book or different version then you will need to use a new, unused ISBN.

ISBNs are an important part of the self-publishing process, and by understanding what they are, why & what they are used for, and how to best use them, you will ensure that your self-published books will have the most options when it comes to distribution.

If you would like some guidance on the overall steps to self-publishing your book, then make sure to get our free “Self-Publishing Process Checklist”, which also includes post-publishing steps to marketing your book and getting the maximum exposure possible.

Privacy Overview

ISBN Database
Documentation

The World’s largest book database™ & API

The isbn system: the history and evolution of isbn number.

Voracious readers know that every book has one thing in common. No matter what genre, length, publisher, or art that adorns its cover, every book has an ISBN. That is, provided it was printed after 1970.

You’ve likely noticed a barcode with a serial number on the back of the book you’re reading. It’s easy to think that this is just for the cashier at your local bookstore to swipe, but it’s so much more than that—it’s an ISBN!

What is an ISBN?

The history of the isbn, the evolution of the isbn.

An International Standard Book Number , or ISBN, is a unique, 10 to 13-digit number , used to identify a book. The ISBN system is used internationally, making it easy for libraries and bookstores across the world to find and classify books. The ISBN system isn’t used exclusively for books, though, as they have been used for CDs and even sheet music.

However, recurring publications, such as magazines, use a different system, the International Standard Serial Number or ISSN.

Though every ISBN is unique, the digits are all sorted in the same way, containing five separate categories in this order:

The first category is the Prefix , which is the first three digits of an ISBN. The prefix will always be either 978 or 979.
Registration Group is the second category, which are the digits following the prefix. The registration group ranges from one to five digits long—depending on the content—and is used to clarify the country of origin and language.
The Registrant section is similarly flexible, as it can range up to seven digits in length. These digits denote the publisher of the book.
The fourth category is the Publication section, which specifies the edition of the book and can be up to six digits.
The Check Digit is the final digit of an ISBN, a single number that is intended to mathematically validate the previous digits in an ISBN.

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ISBNs are used by libraries, bookstores, and regular readers alike, as they allow you to search any book within the ISBN system. Instead of searching by title alone, an ISBN can help you find specific editions or printings of a book, making it a valuable tool for those who deal with rare books or expensive editions.

Before the ISBN, books were difficult to classify. Typically, readers would have to find the books they were looking for by title alone, turning to the information page to see if it was the correct edition. Libraries used card catalogs to sort their books, writing information on the cards that denoted whether a book was turned in. This was all done by hand, resulting in a number of fiascos due to user error (read more about book identification in pre-ISBN era ).

Fortunately, this changed in 1965.

That year, British book retailer W. H. Smith shocked the world when it announced that it would be moving from a written system to a computerized warehouse, slated to be complete in 1967. In the infancy of computer technology, the retailer hired a number of consultants from groups like the British Publishers Association’s Distribution and Methods Committee to devise a standard, mathematical number system to sort and identify all of the books carried by W. H. Smith. In 1966, they created the Standard Book Numbering (SBN) system, a precursor to the ISBN, and were able to implement it in 1967, just as expected.

The world had taken notice of W. H. Smith’s new system, piquing the interest of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The ISO realized that the British SBN system could be applied internationally, standardizing the way we sort books.

In 1968, a meeting was held in London, featuring ISO representatives from all over the world. Many countries that could not send representatives mailed in their own letters of interest, showing that the whole globe saw the benefit in adopting the British SBN system. These representatives spoke at length about the system, proposing changes and new additions over the next two years.

In 1970, their ideas were consolidated, and “ISO 2108” was approved by the International Organization for Standardization, marking the official adoption of the ISBN system.

The International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) was developed shortly after, which came as a necessity due to the constant changes in serial publications.

Surprisingly, the ISBN system has not changed much since its inception, a testament to the hard work of the International Organization for Standardization.

However, the ISBN has had one major evolution, which happened less than twenty years ago. For nearly forty years, ISBNs contained only ten digits. However, new books and updated editions were published at such a rapid rate that unique ISBN numbers were dwindling. In 2007, the ISBN adopted three new digits, known as the prefix. This allowed new ISBN numbers to be created, using a 978 prefix to ensure that every number is unique.

In 2019, the ISBN system ran into this problem yet again, solving the issue the same way it had been done in 2007—by updating the prefix. This is why ISBN prefixes are either 978 or 979 , depending on the year of release.

It’s likely that the prefix will need to be updated again (if it follows the previous pattern, we’re guessing it will be 980), but this small change is a positive sign for readers. When the ISBN prefix is updated, you know that the world of books is alive and well!

Val Giordano

Val is a freelance writer and editor with 10+ years of experience. He's been writing about book data management, publishing, technology, and other subjects.

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Isbn nasıl alınır .

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International Standard Book Number harflerinin baş harflerinden oluşan ISBN, Türkçe anlamı olarak Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası anlamına gelmektedir. Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası yani ISBN 1970 yılından önce basılan kitaplarda bu bilgi bulunmaz.

Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası ISBN Nasıl Alınır Hakkında Bilgiler.

ISBN Nedir?

International Organization for Standardization kısaca ISO olarak bilinen Türkçe karşılığı ise Uluslararası Standartlar Teşkilatı tarafından hazırlanan ve üye ülkelerin onayı ile yürürlüğe giren bir kitap numaralama sistemine ISBN denir.

ISBN sistemi, yayınlanan her materyale beş grup ve 13 haneden oluşan bir tanımlama numarası verir.

ISBN Niçin Verilir?

ISBN kullanılmasının amacı ise kitap numaralarının uluslararası bir yöntem ile düzenlenmek ve standardize edilip, Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası (ISBN) verilerek belirli bir yayımcının yayınladığı bir materyalin kimliğini tanımlamaktır.

Türkiye’de ISBN işlemlerini T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Kütüphaneler ve Yayımlar Genel Müdürlüğü yapmaktadır.

ISBN almak için gerekli tüm bilgilere http://www.ekygm.gov.tr/isbn.html adresinden ulaşabilirsiniz.

Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası Yani ISBN Nelere verilir?

Basılı materyal (kitap, katalog, yıllık vb.)

Mikroformlar

Video, film ve kasetler (Eğitim amaçlı)

Karma yayın araçları (kitap+kaset, kitap+CD gibi)

Bilgisayar yazılımları (Eğitim amaçlı)

Braille alfabesiyle yazılmış materyal

Elektronik yayınlar (http, www, ftp, CD, disket vb.)

Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası Yani ISBN Nelere Verilmez?

Takvim ve günlükler

El yazması eserler

Poster, afiş ve gazeteler

Gösteri programları (tiyatro, müzikal, resital, konser vb.)

Okul müfredat programları

Fiyat listeleri, satış ve reklam katalogları, reçeteler

Kitap haline getirilmemiş makale, genelge, yönerge vb. materyal

İlgili Makaleler

Türkiye’de Oturma İzni Nasıl Alınır ?

Silah Ruhsatı Nasıl Alınır ?

İhtiyati Haciz Kararı Nasıl Alınır ?

Bir yanıt yazın yanıtı iptal et.

E-posta adresiniz yayınlanmayacak. Gerekli alanlar * ile işaretlenmişlerdir

İnternet sitesi

Daha sonraki yorumlarımda kullanılması için adım, e-posta adresim ve site adresim bu tarayıcıya kaydedilsin.

Bu site, istenmeyenleri azaltmak için Akismet kullanıyor. Yorum verilerinizin nasıl işlendiği hakkında daha fazla bilgi edinin .

ISBN Search

Using an ISBN is the most accurate and reliable way to search for a book. Use our search engine to find book information and the best prices for books.

Typical location of an ISBN on the back of a book.

ISBN Database

If you’re looking for a book database with comprehensive book data searchable via API, check out ISBNdb.com . Subscription starts from only $14.95/mo per 5,000 daily calls.

Sell your books: bookscouter.com

Compare buy vs rent price: campusbooks.com

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Last updated on Apr 05, 2024

How to Get an ISBN Number for Your Book

A common question that self-publishing authors ask us at Reedsy is, "How do I get an ISBN number for my book?" The truth is that purchasing an ISBN is really simple. In some circumstances, you can get one for free — and sometimes, you won't even need one at all.

In this guide, we'll show you how to get an ISBN number for your book — either at a rock-bottom cost or for free.

What is an ISBN number?

An International Standard Book Number, or ISBN, is a 13-digit code used as a unique identifier for books. An ISBN is assigned to each edition of a book, helping publishers , bookstores, and libraries keep track of their stock and sales. Readers can also use them to look up specific editions online.

ISBNs usually appear on the back of a book alongside the barcode.

So, with that in mind, let's see how you go about securing a code of your own.

How to Get an ISBN in 3 Steps

As a self-publishing author, you can get an ISBN barcode for your book by purchasing it from an ISBN agency like Bowker for $125, or for free from other publishers and distributors, like Draft2Digital. Keep in mind you’ll need an ISBN number for each version of your title (e.g. print or ebook).

Here's a simple way to get an ISBN:

Choose between free and paid ISBNs
Identify providers in your region
Buy ISBNs in bulk for the best value

1. Choose between free and paid ISBNs

There are a handful of big ISBN vendors, like Bowker and Nielsen, who are the go-to sources for most authors. However, depending on your publishing aims, it’s also possible to use cheaper or free ISBNs.

Where to get free ISBN numbers

In the US and UK, many aggregators (companies that distribute your book to multiple retailers) will assign indie authors an ISBN for free, or at a discount. These aggregators include:

Some government territories, such as Canada, provide free ISBN numbers (lucky you)! The second step of this how-to will give you more information about your regional providers.

A note on ASINs

While we’re talking about free ISBNs, it’s worth mentioning an alternative: the ASIN. The ASIN functions similarly to the ISBN, but is only used within Amazon — and you’re given one for free whenever you publish a book on Amazon .

So why would you need both? Basically, while you cannot rely on a book’s ASIN to find it outside of Amazon, you can always count on an ISBN. For that reason, if you plan to “go wide” on other sites — or have distribution in brick-and-mortar stores — you’ll need an ISBN in addition to an ASIN. If you plan to self-publish on Amazon exclusively, you can, by all means, forego the ISBN costs and stick to the free ASIN.

Do you need an ISBN number?

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Why you might want to buy an ISBN anyway

So you can get an ISBN for free or at a discounted price, or if you’re only publishing digitally on Amazon, you don’t need an ISBN at all. So why would anyone ever pay for an ISBN?

Aha! Here’s the catch: when you register for an ISBN number through an aggregator like the ones we listed above, industry regulations mean that you are limited to the retail channels of that company alone, whereas simply buying an ISBN from the start means you can expand wherever you see fit.

To show you what we mean: maybe you’re selling your book on Amazon (an individual platform), and then decide to go wider through Draft2Digital (an aggregator). The former provides you with a free ASIN and the latter with a free ISBN.

But let’s say your sales aren't too strong, and you want to make your book available on other distribution channels, like BookBaby and eBookPartnership. If you didn't buy your ISBN independently, you’ll need to register for separate numbers from each of those publishing companies as well. This can snowball into you having several ISBNs and different publishers all listed for the same book, which looks seriously unprofessional and may harm your book’s chances of getting stocked in brick-and-mortar bookstores and libraries.

Ultimately, it’s up to you whether you want to keep your ISBN consistent between aggregators or if you’re happy with a mix. If you aren’t sure which decision is in your best interests, perhaps consider working with a professional book marketer to ensure you maximize your chances of success.

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2. Identify providers in your region

Each country or territory has its own regional provider of ISBNs. Perhaps the best-known ISBN provider is Bowker , the official administrator for the United States. In the United Kingdom, authors can buy a number through Nielsen.

To find out whether ISBNs are free in your country (and for instructions on requesting a number), you can look up your local agency here .

ISBN Number - screenshot of a search for a local provider

Once you’ve identified your local provider, you’re ready to buy!

3. Buy ISBNs in bulk for the best value

One book, one ISBN needed, right? Not so fast.

Not only do ISBNs have a heavy discount on bulk purchases, but a single ISBN is rarely enough. Say you’re publishing a paperback. If you ever want to revise or release that paperback in a new edition, you’ll need a new ISBN. You’ll also need another ISBN for a future hardcover edition, and the same applies to releasing an audiobook. If you make all those single purchases via Bowker, you’re looking at $500 for 4 ISBNs, while a bulk purchase of 10 ISBNs will only set you back $295.

We’ve broken down these Bowker costs for US authors and publishers, as well as the Nielsen costs for those in the UK, in the table below:

Even if you’re only working on one book at the moment, 10 ISBNs are a sensible investment when you’re starting out.

Bonus tip: Register your ISBN with Bowkerlink

Regardless of where you live or who provided your ISBN, once you have received your number, you should register it at Bowkerlink . This will automatically add your title to Bowker’s Books In Print : a bibliographic database consulted by libraries around the world. Books In Print currently hosts about 7.5 million US book, audiobook , and movie titles, as well as 12 million international titles — and yours is about to be one of them!

Now you’ve sorted out all the practicalities and your book is ready for sale, why not check out more of our resources on what to do next. If you haven’t yet got a plan in place for promoting your book, our guide on that is a good place to start!

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Understanding When and Why Your Book Needs an ISBN

When it comes to publishing, my favorite quote is, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” And sure, that might seem like a hopeless conundrum to enter into, but oftentimes writers are so singularly focused on creating something fantastic that questions like “Who is my target audience?” or “What is an ISBN?” don’t come up until they’re ready to cross the proverbial finish line, sending them right back to the starting blocks.

I hope to help you avoid this quandary by equipping you with information that you may not know, but need to understand to successfully publish your book: what is an ISBN, and when do you need one?

An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a string of numbers that identifies pertinent information ( called metadata ) about your book, such as: title, author, type of book, physical properties, and location of publisher. An ISBN is a unique identifier for every single published version of a book, meaning that if you choose to publish in multiple formats (paperback, hardcover, ebook, etc.) each version would need a separate ISBN. It’s kind of like your book’s fingerprint, unique and specific to that edition.

Publishers, booksellers, libraries, and internet retailers use ISBNs for ordering, listing, sales records and stock control purposes. Your project’s ISBN essentially provides all of the details retailers need to appropriately stock and sell your book.

Do You Need an ISBN for Your Book?

ISBNs play a critical role in book distribution, but there are opportunities for you to sell your work without assigning an ISBN. How do you know if an ISBN is right for your project? There are a few things to ask yourself before deciding.

Do you want to sell your book through retail distribution channels such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble?
Would you like your book to be available to libraries?

If these things are important to you, then yes, an ISBN is necessary. Retailers and libraries will not accept a book that does not have an ISBN assigned, so Lulu makes it a requirement for you to assign an ISBN to any project you wish to enroll in Global Distribution . For many authors, retail distribution is a gold standard and will necessitate assigning an ISBN to the project.

There are situations, however, where using an ISBN to sell your book is unnecessary. If your end goal is to sell your book through Lulu’s Bookstore, you do not need an ISBN to do so. Likewise, if you are interested in selling your books directly, either by hand or through your own website , you do not need to assign an ISBN to the title. For nonfiction authors, or authors who have already established their audience, selling your books without an ISBN makes sense.

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Another way to think about this is if you are interested in publishing multiple titles or accessing retail distribution, ISBNs are for you! If you publish in a unique format (such as saddle stitch or coil bound) and already have an established connection with your audience, an ISBN may not be necessary.

To decide if you need an ISBN for your project, review your book’s goals. If hitting an Amazon bestseller list or seeing your book on the shelves of your local bookstore are your goals, then ISBNs will be an essential part of your publishing journey.

Where To Get an ISBN

If you need an ISBN, there are a few different places you can acquire one. If you publish your work on Lulu, we offer free ISBNs and the option for you to supply your own. For many of our authors, using a free ISBN from Lulu is perfect for their needs. It allows them to access retail channels and distributors worldwide using our Global Distribution service. If you decide to use a free ISBN from Lulu, be aware that Lulu.com will be listed as the publisher in your book’s metadata.

If you are interested in using Lulu as a white-label service or starting your own publishing imprint, purchasing a batch of ISBNs to assign to your projects might be a better option. In the US, ISBNs can only be purchased from Bowker . Some countries provide ISBNs for free, so if you are outside the US and unsure how to acquire ISBNs, ISBN International can help.

Buying Your Own ISBNs

Purchasing your own ISBNs has a few distinct advantages. The first is you can create your own publishing imprint . Doing so will keep your brand front and center and help you maintain brand continuity if you plan to publish multiple titles. If someone comes across your book and Googles the ISBN, your publishing imprint will be listed as the publisher.

Secondly, if you own your ISBNs, you can move them with the book. For example, if you use a free ISBN from Lulu, you cannot take that ISBN to another platform if you choose to publish elsewhere. However, if you purchase your own ISBNs, you can assign them to your Lulu project and move them to a different platform if need be . Another benefit of purchasing your own ISBNs is that they will never expire, so any unused ISBNs you own can be assigned to future projects. If you have any old ISBNs lying around that do not fit the current format, you can convert them here: https://www.isbn.org/ISBN_converter

Now there is one less thing you don’t know about publishing! To ISBN or not to ISBN is a question worth considering for every project you publish, and this information can help lead you to the write answer.

Public Service Announcement

ISBN is an abbreviation for International Standard Book Number. In recent years, a strange phenomenon has taken hold among authors and publishers online—calling it an ‘ISBN number’. Please help us all make the world a little more clear by using the correct abbreviation or, if you really like the word ‘number’, spelling out the entire abbreviation.

Chelsea Bennett is the Education and Community Manager for Lulu.com and host of Lulu’s YouTube series, Lulu University, as well as their monthly webinar series. Her areas of expertise include self-publishing, Print-on-Demand technology, building an author brand, direct sales, and marketing. When not thinking about publishing, Chelsea can be found playing disc golf with her husband or having in-depth conversations about the universe with her cat, Batman.

I only ever self-publish on Lulu, with ISBNs supplied by them. Yet I have seen my books listed as free downloads on many sites, and on one site there were several thousand free downloads. No wonder my sales and revenue slowed to a trickle.I messaged one website, telling it to pay me royalties, only to find within 24 hours the site was removed. Certainly not Lulu’s fault, but I thought ISBN’s protected authors from such theft.

Sites scrapping your book’s information and listing them as ‘free’ for download or even for sale has been happening as long as we’ve been seeling books online. Having an ISBN isn’t the issue – any book that is listed and sold online can (and often will) show up on these scam sites. Obviously, these sites never actually sell your book and they’re just misleading people to gain access to contact and financial information.

I purchased my own official ISBN and used it to publish on Amazon. I am now trying to publish on Lulu, but it is telling me that I must use a previously unused ISBN. It’s the exact same book in the same format.

Hi Gerard, Unfortunately, you will need to use a new ISBN. Even if the specifications are the same, this would be considered a new format.

I would like to sell my book through retail distribution channels such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as via LULU. What kind of ISBN do I need, and where do I purchase it? Also, where do I place it? Inside jacket? Back cover?

Hi Michael, You’ll want to get an ISBN from whichever service operates in your country. In the USA that’s https://www.isbn.org/ . Purchasing an ISBN allows you to apply your own imprint, but if you want a free one simply select that option while publishing on Lulu (on the Copyright Step). Either way, you’ll enter the ISBN and we’ll generate a barcode for your back cover.

If you design your own cover, you’ll need to add that barcode to the design. If you use our Cover Creator, we’ll place it on the back cover for you. It’s also smart to include the ISBN information on the copyright page inside your book.

I am in the process of setting up my book with a lulu free ISBN. The generated file with the bar code does not include the typed out line above it that shows in the example in this article – i.e ISBN 978-3-16-148410-4. Should I add that information, type it in, above the barcode file? (Meaning add my ISBN number that came with the downloaded file, not the one shown in the example.)

Hi Jan, I see what you mean about the numbers not appearing above the barcode. I’ve noted this for our developers to see if they can amend the file.

You can absolutely use online tools to generate a barcode with the numbers. https://barcodeqrcode.com/isbn-barcode-generator/ is a simple one that I’ve used in the past.

In the Bowker website they offer ISBNs with a barcode for more money. What advantage does that give over the regular ISBN?

Hi Jeremy, When you purchase an ISBN from Bowker, you’ll assign all the information to the ISBN. This includes your imprint name. When you use a free ISBN from Lulu, we’ve already purchased them and as such the imprint will be listed as ‘Lulu’. There’s no particular disadvantage to using a free ISBN, but many authors prefer to include their own imprint or business name with their book.

I have the same issue as Anne Rothwell has with the ISBN. We have published several books (over 10) through Lulu and only once has the ISBN actually been included in the barcode that we downloaded.

Hi Karl, You should probably contact our support team for a more detailed answer. If you’re using a free Lulu ISBN and the file you download from the Copyright step is not including the barcode information, they’ll be able to help resolve that issue.

Should I not get an ISBN until my book is thoroughly and completely edited, formatted and ready to print? This question goes astray but here it is: During the process of editing and formating, etc., should I protect the material, the content with a copyright?

Hi Steve, If you’re purchasing your own ISBNs, you can buy them whenever you’d like and have them ready when you’re publishing the book. If you want to use a free Lulu ISBN, you won’t be able to assign it until you start the publishing process (though be sure to add the digits to your copyright page in the interior file!). For your question about copyright, it’s important to note that anything you create is yours (and protected by copyright law) as soon as you create it. You’ll only be able to register a book with the US Copyright Office (for the added security that offers) once you’ve completed and published the book.

I purchased a block of 20 ISBN’s a few years back. Is it possible to give two ISBN’s to a friend who is publishing a book?

Hi Tony, I believe you can, though the catch would be that the imprint you assigned when you purchase the block would still be attached to the ISBNs you give away. For most, that’s probably not an issue, but important to be aware of. I hope that helps!

Help! I have just published a book through Lulu with the ISBN on the back, but the top line, starting ISBN is missing. What can I do?

Hi Anne, I’m sorry to hear that! It sounds like the barcode might not have been placed exactly right on the cover file. Or it’s possible this was a printer error. I suggest contacting our support team and sending them a picture of back cover. I’m sure they’ll be able to help you sort it out.

Keep Reading

IMAGES

What is an ISBN ?
What is an ISBN Number? A Look at Publishing’s ID System
What is an ISBN Number? A Look at Publishing’s ID System
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
What is an ISBN Number? A Look at Publishing’s ID System
ISBN Nedir? Kitap ISBN’i Nasıl Sorgulanır?

VIDEO

ISBN Number Explained, ICSE 2025 Class 10th Computer Preparation
RAD
İban Nomresını Oyrenmek
Paribu Hesap Numarası Öğrenme / İban Nerede?
What are ASIN and ISBN numbers?
IBAN No Nedir, Bu Numara Kaç Haneli Olur

COMMENTS

ISBN Nedir? Peki, ISSN? Açılımları Nelerdir? Ne İşe Yararlar?
ISBN açılımı: International Standard Book Number (Uluslararası Kitap Standart numarası). Makalede ISSN Ne Demek? Açılımı Nedir? Makalede ISSN, süreli olan yayınlar içerisinde verilmiş olan uluslararası bir numaralandırma sistemidir. Ancak doğrudan yalnızca makaleye özel ISSN kodu tanımlanmamaktadır.
Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası
ISBN ( İngilizce: International Standard Book Number, [1] Türkçe: Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası); 1972 yılında Uluslararası Standartlar Organizasyonu (ISO) tarafından hazırlanan kitap numaralama sistemidir. [2] Kitap numaralarını standardize etmek, materyalin kimliğini tanımlamak amacıyla oluşturulmuştur.
ISBN
Total number of ISBN registrations. 2020. An SBN may be converted to an ISBN by prefixing the digit "0". For example, the second edition of Mr. J. G. Reeder Returns, published by Hodder in 1965, has "SBN 340 01381 8", where "340" indicates the publisher, "01381" is the serial number assigned by the publisher, and "8" is the check digit.
What is an ISBN?
An ISBN is an International Standard Book Number. ISBNs were 10 digits in length up to the end of December 2006, but since 1 January 2007 they now always consist of 13 digits. ISBNs are calculated using a specific mathematical formula and include a check digit to validate the number. Each ISBN consists of 5 elements with each section being ...
How to Understand an ISBN Code
1. Look at the first three numbers to establish when the book was published. The first three numbers are a prefix that changes overtime. Since the implementation of the 13 digit ISBN, this series has only ever been "978" or "979.". [9] 2. Look at the second string of numbers for language information.
What Is an ISBN and How to Get It? Your Definitive Guide to ISBN
Explore the comprehensive guide to ISBNs in 2024, covering what an International Standard Book Number is, how it functions, and the process of obtaining one. Learn about the ISBN format, its significance in the publishing industry, and the options for getting an ISBN, whether through a publisher or by purchasing your own.
About the ISBN standard
ISBNs are assigned to publishers and self-publishers as follows: 1, 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000 or 100,000 numbers. When participating in the ISBN standard, publishers and self-publishers are required to report all information about titles to which they have assigned ISBNs. For more than thirty years, ISBNs were 10 digits long.
ISBN Numbers: The Ultimate Guide
Check Digit - This is a single digit at the end of the ISBN that is calculated using a mathematical formula to ensure the accuracy of the other digits in the number. ISBN-10 vs. ISBN-13. In 2007, the ISBN system was updated to a 13-digit format to accommodate the growing number of publications and the need for more unique identifiers.
International Standard Book Numbers
Decoding an ISBN. Decoding an ISBN is a simple process once you understand the elements of the number. Let's take a look at an example: ISBN 978--306-40615-7. 978: The prefix element indicates that the product is a book. 0: The registration group indicates that the book is an English-language publication.
International Standard Book Number
An ISBN-13 barcode represented as EAN-13 barcode ( ISBN 978-3-16-148410-0) The International Standard Book Number, ISBN, is a unique [1] commercial book identifier barcode. The ISBN system was created in the United Kingdom, in 1966, by the booksellers and stationers W.H. Smith. Originally, it was the 9-digit Standard Book Numbering (SBN) code ...
FAQs: General Questions
An ISBN should be assigned to each title or product, including any backlist or forthcoming titles. Each format or binding must have a separate ISBN (i.e. hardcover, paperbound, VHS video, laserdisc, e-book format, etc). A new ISBN is required for a revised edition. Once assigned, an ISBN can never be reused.
Isbn
ISBN NEDİR? ISBN, (International Standart Book Number) Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarasını ifade eder. ISBN atama işlemlerini yürütmekte olan ISBN Türkiye Ajansı, Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Kütüphaneler ve Yayımlar Genel Müdürlüğü bünyesinde hizmet vermektedir. ISBN'in uluslararası merkezi, İngiltere'de ...
ISBN
ISBN Kodu Nedir? ISBN — International Standard Book Number / Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası, dünya genelindeki tüm yayınlar için kullanılan benzersiz bir tanımlayıcıdır.
ISBN
ISBN Nedir? * ISBN (International Standard Book Number), hızla değişen ve gelişen dünyamızda artan bilgi üretimini izleyebilmek ve geniş çapta kullanıma sunmak için 1972 yılında Uluslararası Standartlar Organizasyonu (ISO) tarafından hazırlanan ve üye ülkelerin onayı ile yürürlüğe giren bir kitap numaralama sistemidir. * Amaç, kitap numaralarının uluslararası bir ...
What is an ISBN?
International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique numeric identifier used to identify books. Breaking Down ISBNs: How Books Get Their Unique Identifier. ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, is a unique numeric identifier used to identify books. This 13-digit code is used by publishers, booksellers, and libraries around the world ...
What Is An ISBN? The Ultimate ISBN Guide
The prefix element of an ISBN is the part of the number indicating that it is an ISBN. Both 978 and 979 prefixes are reserved for this purpose. Registration Group Element (1-5 digits, variable) This element identifies the specific country, geographical region, or language area participating in the ISBN system. The length can vary from 1 to 5 ...
The ISBN System: The History and Evolution of ISBN Number
An International Standard Book Number, or ISBN, is a unique, 10 to 13-digit number, used to identify a book. The ISBN system is used internationally, making it easy for libraries and bookstores across the world to find and classify books. The ISBN system isn't used exclusively for books, though, as they have been used for CDs and even sheet ...
ISBN Numarası Nasıl Alınır
International Standard Book Number harflerinin baş harflerinden oluşan ISBN, Türkçe anlamı olarak Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası anlamına gelmektedir. Uluslararası Standart Kitap Numarası yani ISBN 1970 yılından önce basılan kitaplarda bu bilgi bulunmaz.
List of ISBN registration groups
The registration group or identifier group is the second element in a 13-digit ISBN (first element in a 10-digit ISBN) and indicates the country, geographic region, or language area where a book was published. The element ranges from one to five numerical digits.. In 2007, the length of an ISBN changed from 10 to 13 digits, and a new 3-digit prefix (978 or 979) was added in front of 10-digit ...
ISBN Search
ISBN Database. If you're looking for a book database with comprehensive book data searchable via API, check out ISBNdb.com . Subscription starts from only $14.95/mo per 5,000 daily calls. Sell your books: bookscouter.com. Compare buy vs rent price: campusbooks.com. Find books easily using ISBN, title, or author searches. Search using ISBN-10 ...
How to Get an ISBN Number for Your Book
As a self-publishing author, you can get an ISBN barcode for your book by purchasing it from an ISBN agency like Bowker for $125, or for free from other publishers and distributors, like Draft2Digital. Keep in mind you'll need an ISBN number for each version of your title (e.g. print or ebook). Here's a simple way to get an ISBN: Choose ...
Understanding When and Why Your Book Needs an ISBN
An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a string of numbers that identifies pertinent information (called metadata) about your book, such as: title, author, type of book, physical properties, and location of publisher. An ISBN is a unique identifier for every single published version of a book, meaning that if you choose to publish in ...
Understanding ISBNs and What They Mean for Your Book
A: An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit number that identifies a book for purposes of commerce and supply chains (before 2007 it was a 10-digit number, in case you see it that way in older books). It's a mandatory sales tool, as it's the number that bookstores, wholesalers and distributors use to keep track of books.

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Your Definitive Guide to ISBN. What Is an ISBN and How to Get an ISBN

What is an ISBN?

When did ISBNs start?

Who uses ISBNs?

ISBN Format and Elements

What information does an ISBN carry?

Do all books have ISBNs?

Do self-published books need an ISBN?

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ISBN Bar Code Guidelines

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How ISBNs Connect Books Globally?

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ISBN Numbers: The Ultimate Guide

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Breaking Down the Components of an ISBN

The Prefix Element

The Registration Group

The Registrant

The Publication Element

The Check Digit

Decoding an ISBN

Understanding the Differences Between 10-Digit and 13-Digit ISBNs

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