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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 102,175 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

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

• 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

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

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• ↑ 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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ISBN and ISSN Systems: General Information and Resources

• General Information and Resources

ISBN and ISSN Standards

This resource guide provides general information and a history on the ISBN and ISSN standards.  

ISBN General Information

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published internationally. The ISBN is intended for a monographic publication: text that stands on its own as a product, whether printed, audio or electronic. ISBNs are never assigned to music, performances or images, such as art prints or photographs. ISBNs are not assigned to magazines, academic journals or other periodicals. However, if a single issue of a periodical is being sold as a book, then that issue alone may be assigned an ISBN. 

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. On January 1, 2007 the ISBN system switched to a 13-digit format. Now all ISBNs are 13-digits long. If you were assigned 10-digit ISBNs, you can convert them to the 13-digit format at the converter found on the ISBN website . A 10-digit ISBN cannot be converted to 13-digits merely by placing three digits in front of the 10-digit number . There is an algorithm that frequently results in a change of the last digit of the ISBN.

ISBNs beginning 979 will not be issued in the United States for at least several years until current inventories of ISBNs are depleted. When they are assigned, they will not replace those beginning with 978.

• ISBNs beginning 978 and 979 will coexist in the book industry for a number of years.
• 978 ISBNs cannot be converted to 979 ISBNs.
• 979 ISBNs are not convertible to a 10-digit format and exist only in a 13-digit format.

ISBN Resources

• Buy ISBNs & Other Identifiers (U.S. only) Offers the purchase of ISBNs, barcodes, and self-publishing packages.
• ISBN FAQ - Publication Formats, Reprints, Editions, etc. Provides a chart of products/entities that are eligible for ISBNs.
• United States ISBN Agency Bowker is the official source for ISBNs in the United States. An ISBN uniquely identifies your book, and facilitates the sale of your book to bookstores (physical and digital) and libraries. Using ISBNs allows you to better manage your book's metadata, and ensure maximum discoverability of your book.

ISSN General Information

The ISSN is a U.S. standard and an international standard. The number itself -- unlike the coded digits of the ISBN -- has no significance other than as a brief, unique, and unambiguous identifier; an ISSN consists of eight digits, specifically two groups of four digits, in Arabic numerals 0 to 9, except for the last -- or check -- digit, which can be an X. Its proper reference is for the two groups of four digits to be separated by a hyphen and preceded by the letters ISSN.

Assignment of ISSNs is handled by the U.S. ISSN Center at the Library of Congress and is free. There is no charge associated with the use of the ISSN. An ISSN application form may be completed online. Enter the required information and then email or fax the form (in the interests of conserving paper and bandwidth, please limit faxes or email attachments to no more than five pages), or mail the application by U.S. mail or private carrier. A suitable representation of the publication must accompany the application. For print serials a sample issue or photocopy of the title page, cover, or masthead should be provided. For electronic serials in a tangible form such as CD-ROM or floppy disk, an actual issue and printouts of title screens should be submitted. For online serials, provide an appropriate URL or e-mail actual issues or mock-ups which will accompany the application form.

ISSN Resources

• ANSI/NISO Z39.9 International Standard Serial Numbering (ISSN) Well-known as the ISSN, this standard defines the structure and presentation of a code to uniquely identify serial publications in print and nonprint formats. This standard sets forth the format and characteristics of the ISSN and designates a central authority for code administration.
• ISSN-L When a publication is published on several media, a linking ISSN is assigned so that the media can be easily grouped and the contents are easier to manage.
• ISO 3297 Information and documentation -- International standard serial number (ISSN) Defines and promotes the use of a standard code (ISSN) for the unique identification of serials and other continuing resources.
• ISSN International Center (CIEPS) The CIEPS, also known as the ISSN International Centre, is an intergovernmental organization which manages at the international level the identification and the description of serial publications and ongoing resources, print and online, in any subject.
• U.S. ISSN Application Form The ISSN application is a "fillable" pdf form. Once completed, it should be emailed, faxed, or mailed to the Library of Congress for processing. Full instructions and a link to the form are provided on the application forms page.
• U.S. ISSN Center The U.S. ISSN Center, part of the international ISSN Network, assigns International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN) to serials published in the U.S. The ISSN is a standard identifier for serials (e.g., journals, magazines, newsletters, newspapers, annuals) whether published in print, online or other media. Each medium version is assigned a separate ISSN.

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• Last Updated: Jun 28, 2022 3:15 PM
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Your Definitive Guide to ISBN. What Is an ISBN and How to Get an ISBN

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, DOI, ISSN: A Quick Guide to Publication Identifiers

Publication identifiers help in finding information on an article or publication using a set of codes. All of us have names and other identifying characteristics and titles; however, these could be common to several thousands of people. In the United States, a person’s unique identifying tag is his or her Social Security number. The same is true of titles of articles, subject matter, and a host of other characteristics of the written word. A publication identifier is unique to that journal, article, or book.

There are several types of publication identifiers. Some of these are discussed here.

International Standard Book Number

• The International Standard Book Number ( ISBN ) is for books. ISBNs identify printed or digital books and are used as inventory-tracking devices.
• The code is usually found on the back cover of a book and includes a barcode. One shortcoming of the ISBN is that it does not provide information on all versions of a particular book because each has its own unique code, which might not be an issue since it is recognizable.
• The ISBN has 13 digits and contains five types of identifying information or “elements” such as: a prefix, registration group (e.g., individual country or territory), registrant, publication, and “checksum” (i.e., a figure that is used to detect errors).
• If you are a self-publishing author in the United States, you can easily retrieve your own ISBN through Bowker , the country’s official ISBN source.
• If not, you can find this information on ISBNs in your country from the International ISBN Agency . By purchasing an ISBN for your publication, you ensure a better chance of it being found in a search.

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Digital Object Identifier

• A Digital Object Identifier ( DOI ) is used mainly in scientific journals.
• Each article in each of the thousands of journals has its own unique DOI. Understanding a DOI is important when doing specific research.
• The DOI format is usually numerals and letters, including some punctuation. For example, a DOI created by Wiley might look like “10.1111/j.1365-2575.2012.00413.x.”
• The first number identifies Wiley, the “j” indicates a journal article, and the number range indicates the ISSN. These are followed by the year the article was received by the publisher and the tracking number.

International Standard Serial Number

• The International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) comprises of seven digits followed by a “check digit” to identify any errors in citations.
• ISSNs help to identify serial publications, which are those that are published regularly in sequence, such as magazines, journals, newspapers, and databases. They don’t identify content or certify its validity .
• Although ISSNs do not identify the journal owner, if a journal name changes, a new ISSN is necessary. This is important when considering a title change because the change will affect cataloging and indexing.
• ISSNs also have some limitations. There might be an ISSN for printed text and a different one for electronic versions.
• “E-journals” are becoming quite popular given the Internet capabilities. Publishers are finding it much less costly to publish their serials online, and many do so exclusively. In addition, many of these journals are open access publications, which allow researchers to more easily gather needed information.
• The ISSN format is “ISSN 0000-0000,” which is printed on the journal cover. For electronic versions, “e-ISSN” is posted on the home page and is included in the DOI.

PubMed Indexing and Referencing Numbers

• The PubMed Indexing Number (PMID) is used for articles in the PubMed database , which contains more than 27 million citations from several sources.
• PMIDs are unique identifiers and are assigned to each record in the PubMed system. The code is found at the end of a PubMed citation and below the article’s author list and title.
• The PubMed Central referencing number (PMCID) is required for listing in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant proposals and reports.
• PMCIDs are assigned to an article in PubMed Central, which differs from the PubMed database. These articles comply with NIH’s Public Access Policy . PMCIDs are listed below the abstract.

Serial Item and Contribution Identifier

• The Serial Item and Contribution Identifier (SICI) identifies specific parts of a serial, such as volume number.
• It provides more information to those involved in indexing titles and content. SICI was created by the Serials Industry Systems Advisory Committee (SISAC) to be an extension of ISSN to help identify specifics of an article. The code has become widely accepted and used by both publishers and researchers.
• Item : The ISSN.
• Contribution : Signifies the page numbers, title code.
• Control : Type of SICI, part of article referenced (e.g., abstract), how content is presented (e.g., text), and version.

For example, “0095-4403(199502/03)21:3<12:WATIIB>2.0.TX;2-J” is SICI for “Bjorner, Susanne. “Who Are These Independent Information Brokers?” Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science , Feb–Mar. 1995, Vol. 21, no. 3, page 12.”

• A CODEN is a six-character, alphanumeric code for both serial and non-serial science publications.
• CODEN was designed and published in 1953 by a researcher at the Chronic Disease Research Institute to help him remember his reference publications, but became popular with scientists of all disciplines and is used for bibliographic indexing.
• Usually, CODEN is for articles related to chemistry; however, publishers of non-chemistry articles can request a CODEN from the International CODEN Service.
• Serial publications have a six-letter CODEN. The first four letters represent the journal title, and the fifth and sixth letters refer to one of the first six letters of the alphabet and the check character, respectively.
• For non-serial publications, the first two characters of the CODEN are numbers followed by letters. The fifth character is taken from the entire alphabet, and the sixth is the check character.

In addition, as a researcher, you should recognize these various codes to make your searches less time-consuming. The links here will provide more identifying codes that you might also want to use; however, those listed here are the most common and universally used.

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ISSNs and ISBNs

An International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) or International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a number used to uniquely identify a serial or book publication. To obtain an ISSN, you need to register with the ISSN International Centre ; and for an ISBN, with your national ISBN agency .

ISSNs/ISBNs are useful in distinguishing between serials or books with the same title. If a publication with the same content is published in more than one format, a different identifier is assigned to each media type. For example, a journal may have a print ISSN and an electronic ISSN, and print and ebooks have different ISBNs.

• Include the title and ISSN/ISBN when you first deposit metadata for a content item in our system (if applicable)
• Include both print and electronic ISSNs/ISBNs (if applicable)

If the journal does not have an ISSN at the time of registering content for it, include a title-level DOI for the journal . Once the ISSN is known, deposits should include both the ISSN and the journal-level DOI. Ideally, you would also update the metadata for all the previously registered content to include the ISSN. If you have any queries, please contact us .

We do not verify your title and ISSN combination with an external agency, but we carry out a check digit validation on every ISSN deposited. Once a title or ISSN is deposited, a new publication with the same title or ISSN can’t be created. If you try to make another deposit using a title and ISSN combination that does not match the combination in our system, the deposit will not work. Learn more about updating title records, including ISSNs/ISBNs .

Page owner: Isaac Farley   |   Last updated 2020-April-08

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ISBN Lookup: The Book Search Guide

Some students are under the mistaken impression that the ISBN is used only to classify textbooks. However, this number is used in selling all kinds of books. People looking to get a price quote on a book or get more information about it can visit an ISBN database or any other book search website and look up a book by the ISBN – this interaction is known as ISBN search or ISBN lookup . ISBN search sites provide details of a book, including title, author, publisher, etc. If a person is interested in purchasing a book, the ISBN helps to find it.

• How Did the ISBN Code Come about?

What’s the Purpose of the ISBN?

What exactly is a metadata, 10-digit isbn vs. 13-digit isbn, how can you do an isnb lookup.

• ISBN Differentiates between Editions
• 10 Reasons an ISBN Lookup is So Important
• What Kinds Of Books Have an ISBN?

How You Can Use the ISBN to Sell Your Book Online

• 4 Commonly Asked Questions about ISBN Lookup

How Did the ISBN Code Come about? 

The ISBN is used to identify books – with books before December 2006 using a 10-digit number and anything afterward identified by 13 digits. An ISBN will read a bit like this: 975-1-543211-04-4

• The first three numbers are the ISBN
• The second number designates the country or language
• The third set of numbers denotes the publisher
• The fourth set of numbers is the title or format
• The last number is the check digit verifying the other digits’ accuracy

Image credit: Self Publishing Advice

When somebody is looking up the book, the ISBN owner is noted as the publisher of record. Don’t mistake the ISBN for copyright, as it’s not the same. As ISBN doesn’t mean you have immediate copyright. See what ISBN is . You can find the ISBN on the back cover of a book and listed on the front side with the publisher and other pertinent information. It’s also a part of the metadata.

Book metadata denotes information about the book, such as title, subtitle, book description, etc. Other information may also be included, such as a summary, bio and table of contents.

Image credit: ResearchGate

Book metadata refers to the information that describes a book, including its title, author, publisher, publication date, ISBN or other unique identifier, genre, and other relevant details. This information helps readers and booksellers to identify and classify books, as well as to make informed decisions about which books to buy or read.

Book databases are digital collections of book metadata that are used by libraries, booksellers, and other organizations to manage their book collections and provide access to books. These databases can be proprietary, such as those used by online booksellers like Amazon or Barnes & Noble , or they can be open-access databases like the Library of Congress Catalog , which is freely available to the public.

Book databases are typically organized using a standardized set of data fields, such as title, author, publisher, and publication date. These data fields help to ensure that the information is consistent and accurate, and can be easily searched and retrieved. In addition to basic bibliographic information, book databases may also include more detailed information about a book’s content, such as subject headings, summaries, reviews, and ratings. Check our article comparing some book databases available for retrieving book metadata.

ISBN Differentiates between Editions 

The ISBN differentiates between a book’s many editions. It’s not uncommon for textbook publishers to release a new edition of the same book every so often. While you can buy a used book for a class, you might want to make sure that the professor has assigned that very edition. For online purchases, the ISBN is a necessary component to buying the right one. Of course, you need to know where to find the ISBN. If you have no idea what you’re looking for, you can’t look for it. The ISBN is present on any book. You can use the information and paste it into a search engine.

 10 Reasons an ISBN Lookup is So Important 

• It allows you to know about the books you want and compares their prices .
• Learn its value and worth, regardless of where you found the book.
• Use the title, publisher, publication date, author, and edition to learn more about the book.
• Bookshops, distributors, libraries, and wholesalers can keep track of their inventory, buying more when needed. 
• Learn about the ISBN via book title and edition.
• Use an ISBN lookup to find textbook answers .
• Develop precise book citations – APA or MLA citations – for essays, research papers, etc. 
• Find textbook-related course materials.
• Convert ISBNs to other codes such as ISSNs and ASINs.
• Use ISBN to find the free PDFs (or free textbooks ).

What Kinds of Books Have an ISBN?

Besides physical books, ISBNs can be found on other books such as:

• Coloring books
• Graphic novels

• The first thing you need to determine is the kind of ISBN needed. There are e-books, audiobooks, and physical books available. Ask yourself what category your book falls under.
• Use other identifying information to help you out – author name, publisher name, etc. when listing your book .
• Add as much information to the ISBN search service so people can search for your book easily. There are different methods to this, but publishing links with the ISBN are generally the most common.
• Make sure to mention the ISBN lookup sites used to allow others to quickly find and search book information for free. You can do this via word-of-mouth, social media or any place someone could be interested in the book.

4 Commonly Asked Questions about ISBN Lookup 

• How Can You Sell A Book With ISBN? – No matter how old or new the book is, an ISBN is the best way to sell it. A barcode scanner will need to be used to scan the book’s barcode. This isn’t always possible, so the UPC (Universal Product Code) may be used instead. You can also use BookScouter to sell your books by typing in its ISBN. To learn more about s elling a book when you can’t find the ISBN check the article .
• Can Books Be Sold Without An ISBN? – Digital textbooks can be sold without an ISBN, but printed books must have them to be sold. Every edition of the book must have an ISBN.
• Will Paperback and Hardcover ISBNs Be The Same? – Every publication edition has an ISBN to it, even if it’s paperback or hardcover ISBNs may differ.
• What Is An ISBN Used For? –  The ISBN is used by booksellers, libraries, publishers and others to order, list, sell and keep track of a product. It can also be used to recognize the book’s format, edition and title.

The BookScouter Team

BookScouter.com is a book price comparison web app. We help you BUY, SELL, or RENT books 📚 at the best price with a single search! 📙🔎🛒

Last Updated on November 15, 2023 by Abigail White

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.

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Q. How do I find out what year a book was written?

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Answered By: Daniel Dylla Last Updated: Sep 11, 2023     Views: 17769

There are a couple of ways to find this out!

• Look inside the cover on the second or third page (the Edition notice or copyright page). You'll see a copyright year (or several, for a book with multiple editions). Use the latest year.
• Locate the ISBN and perform a search in a library catalog, search engine (like Google), or a bookstore (like Amazon). This should bring up that edition of the book and post its published year.
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Comments (1)

• This is super helpful! I have barcode and QR code scanners, but obviously barcodes were not going to get me this information. I was a library rat from an early age, back when we still had to use the card catalog. I'm sure this data was stored some where deep in an archive in my brain LOL, however it was inaccessible. 😁 Thanks again for reminding me how this is done. by snek on Aug 16, 2023

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International standard book numbers (isbn), the isbn canada website is currently experiencing technical difficulties.

Our technical team is actively working to resolve these issues. If you urgently require an ISBN number, please email the ISBN Canada team at [email protected] . We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies each specific edition of a book or monograph from a publisher. ISBNs are used by publishers to sell and distribute their publications worldwide. ISBN Canada provides free ISBNs to eligible publishers and publications.

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What is 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:

• Prefix element – currently this can only be either 978 or 979. It is always 3 digits in length
• Registration group element – this identifies the particular country, geographical region, or language area participating in the ISBN system. This element may be between 1 and 5 digits in length
• Registrant element - this identifies the particular publisher or imprint. This may be up to 7 digits in length
• Publication element - this identifies the particular edition and format of a specific title. This may be up to 6 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.

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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 .

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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ISBNdb gathers data from hundreds of libraries, publishers, merchants, and other publicly available sources around the globe to compile a vast collection of book data.

ISBNdb offers various methods for delivering data, including web interface, API, or custom data dumps, so that you can choose the one that best suits your business requirements.

ISBNdb database of 36+ million books is nearly 70% unique. It has a huge amount of ISBNs that do not show up in other available databases.

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How to Get An ISBN Number

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How to Get an ISBN Number for a Self-Published Book

POSTED ON Jun 20, 2023

Written by Scott Allan

Figuring out how to get an ISBN number for a self-published book may sound scary, but it's actually more simple than many authors think!

If you're self-publishing a printed book , the best action you can take is to get your own ISBN as a self-published author. 

Regardless if a book was self-published or traditionally published , every printed book needs an ISBN, and securing this number is a big step in your publishing endeavors.

But, many writers that are just taking the first step toward becoming an author still have a lot of questions about this topic.

Questions like… What is an ISBN number? How do you get an ISBN number for a self-published book? Do I buy one or just get it for free through KDP or an aggregator? How much does an ISBN cost? Are ISBNs for big-name publishers only?

In this post, we want to answer the commonly asked questions about ISBN numbers for self-published books , as well as everything else you need to know to buy, register, and imprint your ISBN.

As you read through these questions, we encourage you to open up these two websites in different tabs:

• MyIdentifiers  
• ISBN International  

There is a wealth of information on those sites regarding ISBNs (including how to buy an ISBN number for your self-published book) that we will cover while going through these questions.

Now, before you start thinking about ISBN numbers, let me ask you this: Do you have a book ready to publish? If not, you can start preparing for an ISBN now, but you’ll definitely want to finish writing your book first !

Here are the questions we will answer about book ISBNs:

1. what is an isbn number for a book.

Let's start with the most basic question: “What is an ISBN number?”

ISBN, which stands for International Standard Book Number , is an internationally-recognized, 13-digit number that’s used as a unique identifier for books. Each individual book, specific book edition, and any other book-like product must have an ISBN number in order to be printed and distributed in retail bookstores, libraries, and wholesale companies. This number can be used to identify the book's code digits, language, publisher, book title , edition, and format.

ISBN numbers are not required for eBooks, and for books that will not be available in stores or libraries.

2. How and why were ISBNs created?

In the days of WW2, MI6 recruited a young mathematician named Gordon Foster to work as a codebreaker, where he scanned millions of numbers looking for patterns in the code used by the Japanese military.

Decades later, when the book industry needed a standardized tracking program to organize the growing number of titles being published every year, Gordon Foster was approached by British retailer, WH Smith. He hired Foster to write a report on how to create such a system.

And this report ultimately led to the ISBN system that is now used worldwide.

3. Can self-publishers get an ISBN?

ISBN numbers can be acquired by any publisher. And a self-publisher is a publisher, so yes! You will apply for an ISBN like anyone else. Refer to myidentifiers.com or keep reading to learn how to get an ISBN number.

4. How do I buy an ISBN in the US? If I live outside the USA?

ISBNs are issued based on location. 

If you live in the United States, you can purchase an ISBN through Bowker , which is the only company authorized to administer ISBN numbers in the US. 

Here is how to buy an ISBN number in the US:

• Go to myidentifiers.com
• Click on “ISBN”
• Select the quantity you'd like to purchase
• Click “Buy Now”
• Complete checkout

In Canada , where the ISBNs are issued for free, you can visit the ISBN Canada—Library and Archives website.

Living in the UK, Ireland, or a British Overseas Territory , check out Nielsen ISBN Store .

For other international authors, you can visit the International ISBN Agency . 

Note: While ISBNs are assigned locally, you can use them internationally.

5. Do I need a different ISBN for every country the book is published in?

No, you don’t need an ISBN if the book is available in other countries – as long as it appears in the same format and language.

However, you DO need an ISBN for each format and edition of the book. This includes publications in different languages. Refer to the International ISBN Agency for a list of language codes.

6. How to get an ISBN number for a self-published book?

As a self-publisher, you have two options. You can either buy an ISBN number for your book(s) or obtain one for free through your self-publishing platform .

If you’re a resident of the United States, you can purchase an ISBN through Bowker by following the step-by-step instructions above. Or, you can obtain one for free via Amazon’s KDP or by uploading to Draft2Digital or SmashWords . 

Regardless of how you get an ISBN number, it's important to note that you only need one ISBN number per book. This is registered to your self-published book and stays with the book – regardless of the different stores or platforms, it's sold on.

7. How many numbers should an ISBN have?

Due to the large volume of eBooks now published each year, all ISBN numbers are now 13 digits. All ISBN numbers issued prior to 2007 were 10 digits long.

Note: Older ISBN numbers with only 10 digits can now be converted into a 13-digit code with the ISBN conversion tool from Bowker .

8. What is an ISBN number used for?

An ISBN is the standard ID number used to identify books by booksellers, libraries, book wholesalers, and distributors.

It is used to identify each published book and each edition of the same book, as well as the publisher of the book. You can tell a lot about a book, its author, and the publisher by knowing how to read the ISBN number.

Let's use the picture here to show you how it works in practice.

The 13-digit ISBN number is broken up into 5 parts that identify the following:

• Book Code Digits: The first three digits, “978” indicate that this string of numbers is for a book ISBN.
• Language of the Book: The language for an English version is identified with an “0” or “1.” You can reference this complete list at the International ISBN Agency .
• Book title, Edition, and Format: The six-digit series represents the title of the book.
• Check Digit: “0” is the last digit and is known as the “check digit.” This number is mathematically calculated as a fixed, single digit.

9. How do I find the ISBN number of a book? 

There are several ways to look up the ISBN number of a book, both on the book itself and online. Here's how to find an ISBN number of any book:

• Check the back cover of the book , and look for the ISBN near the publisher's barcode.
• Look on the copyright page located at the front of the book near the title page.
• Search for the book's ISBN online using the author or title on ISBN Search .

11. How can I find my book’s ISBN number?

You can easily find the ISBN of your book using the same online tool.

To look up your book's ISBN number, follow these steps:

• Visit the website ISBN Search
• Enter your (the author's) name or book title.
• Click “Search,” and the related books will appear in the results.

12. Should a self-published author get an ISBN?

Yes, your self-published book should have an ISBN if you plan to sell your printed book in bookstores and libraries , through Amazon self-publishing , and/or online retailers and book aggregators.

There are limitations to this. For eBooks , a book ISBN number is not needed, except for certain exceptions, like if you publish through digital online distributors/aggregators. For example, Draft2Digital requires your book to have an ISBN. Although they will provide you with an ISBN for free, we recommend buying your own , for reasons explained further down in this post.

Here are the top reasons to buy an ISBN for a self-published book:

• If you want your book sold in bookstores and retail stores
• If you want your book circulated in libraries
• If your book will be printed (not solely an eBook)
• If you plan to use a book aggregator company to publish

In short, it doesn’t matter if you are writing a children’s book or a nonfiction book . Your printed book needs an ISBN if you envision it in the bookstore or on the shelves of your local library.

13. What reasons would a self-published author not need an ISBN?

If you are only publishing an eBook, and you have no plans to write and publish anything more, you won’t need an ISBN. 

Or, if you are happy to only publish through Amazon KDP (print edition) and not use other online retailers, you can request a free ISBN book number via Amazon. 

14. If I get an ISBN, does that mean my book is copyrighted?

No, ISBN is administered by a private company for the use of the international book trade, while copyright is administered by the Library of Congress and is an extension of intellectual property law.

15. Does a book have to be published to have an ISBN?

No, you can obtain an ISBN for your book even if it is not published yet.

ISBNs are issued to publishers, who then assign them to individual books. This can be done at any time, even before the book is written.

16. Can I register my ISBN once it has been approved?

Yes, you can register your ISBN number once it is approved.

Once you have received your number, you should register it at Bowkerlink . Bowker hosts about 12 million international titles, and registration with them places your book in their massive bibliographic database.

17. Are ISBN numbers transferable across different book formats?

No. A single ISBN can be issued for each book only.

For example, if you publish your book in paperback, hardcover, and eBook versions, a separate ISBN number is required for each format.

It is one ISBN per book only, and once assigned to a book, an ISBN number can never be reused.

18. Why would you have to assign a new ISBN number to a book?

ISBNs will need to be changed if certain changes are made to your book. This can be summarized into these 6 common changes and updates:

• The book is printed in Large Print. Remember, every variation/version requires its own ISBN.
• The book is published in a foreign language. This would be considered a different format and needs a separate ISBN.
• If additional material is added to the book. For example, several new chapters are added. This could also mean the book is relaunched as a 2nd edition.
• If the title and/or subtitle are changed.
• If changes are made to the binding.
• If the book is published in another size. For example, for a 5×8, 5.5×8.5, or 6×9, each of these would require a separate ISBN.

Essentially, any changes to the book that makes it appear as a “different product” would require a new book ISBN.

It's important to note that not all changes require a new ISBN number.

Changes that don't require a new ISBN:

• Changing the book price
• Creating a new cover design
• Changing your distributor or printer
• Small corrections to the content of the book. This includes correcting grammatical errors or improving a few paragraphs.

Here's a guide you can use to determine whether or not you need to buy another ISBN number for your book:

19. If I revise the inside content of a book, do I need to replace the current ISBN?

If you only make line edits or correct typographical errors and don’t make any substantial changes and/or additions to the text, this is considered a reprint, and you don’t need a new ISBN number.

A new edition would contain a significant amount of new material, a major revision, or the addition of completely new chapters and/or sections. Anything that makes it a ‘new book’ is likely to create a new edition. Therefore, a new ISBN would be required.

20. If I just change the cover or the title of the book, do I need a new ISBN?

You can continue to use the same ISBN if the cover is changed.

But if you change the title and/or subtitles and you will have to launch the print version of the book as a new title again, as this is recognized as a different book.

21. Is it acceptable to have several ISBNs for the same book?

No, you really don’t want several ISBNs for your book. This can become a tangled mess and looks unprofessional. But it can happen when several retailers issue free ISBNs for the book.

Online aggregators such as Draft2Digital and Smashwords free ISBNs are not transferable. So, if they are issuing a free one, it is exclusive to that site only. This is the same with Amazon.

The best solution? Buy your own ISBN (more on that later). When you buy your own, the same number is used for that format no matter where it is published.

22. How much does an ISBN cost?

The price of ISBN numbers varies and you can buy single ISBNs or a bundle of them. The going rate for a single ISBN costs $125, while 10 ISBNs cost $295, 100 ISBNs cost $575, and 1000 ISBNs cost $1500.

The most affordable option is to buy one single ISBN number on Bowker .

But just remember, if you ever publish another edition of your book, or another book entirely, you will need more than one ISBN. Therefore, buying multiple ISBNs at once could save you a lot of money over time.

Note: that these prices are based on the price listings at Bowker for those living in the United States. For ISBNs purchased internationally, prices do vary (and are often cheaper).

23. How many ISBNs should I buy?

Deciding how many ISBNs to buy is a personal decision and depends on your publishing goals. If you are a busy author publishing a new book every 4-6 weeks, in multiple languages and several formats, it would be smart to buy 100 ISBN numbers from the onset.

Remember that ISBNs do not expire. 

And, consider if you use 3 ISBNs for each book in one language, you could use up a block of ten very quickly if publishing regularly.

The number of ISBNs you should buy also depends on whether or not you are assigning an ISBN to your eBook as well as printed versions. Although eBooks are not, at this time, required to have an ISBN, it does look more professional.

If you write one book and you don’t have plans to do any more, one ISBN will probably do. But for career authors, you should begin with the end in mind. 

24. How to get an ISBN for free? 

If you live in Canada, ISBNs are issued for free. If you live in the United States, you can get your book’s ISBN for free through your self-publishing platform, such as Amazon and Draft2Digital .

25. What are the pros and cons of getting a free ISBN?

The main advantage is…it’s free . This can be convenient if you're publishing on a budget . Or if it’s difficult to obtain an ISBN in the region you live in. 

The disadvantage of receiving a free ISBN:

• You have to list Amazon (or the self-publishing platform) as the publisher along with other limitations .
• You could end up with several ISBNs for the same book, and this looks unprofessional. For example, you receive a different ISBN from Amazon, Draft2Digital, and Smashwords . 
• Free ISBNs are non-transferable. You can’t take your free ISBN from Amazon and use it with another retailer.

If you can, we recommend buying your own ISBN.

If you are in the US, you purchase through Bowker , or if you’re in the UK, you purchase through Nielson . Both sites make it very easy to buy ISBNs. Depending on your international location, you could go through a lot of red tape to get your book ISBN number, but most authors agree it's worth the trouble.

26. Do I need an ISBN number to get my book into libraries?

Yes. If you want to stock your book in libraries, you’ll need an ISBN that you purchased and registered. 

The library market is huge, and, if you are serious about expanding the distribution of your book, this is not an opportunity you want to pass up.

Overdrive is the biggest supplier of eBooks to libraries and has circulated over 105 million+ books to date to libraries.

Again, a free ISBN will not do. The ISBN number needs to be registered to a publisher – that would be you as the author (or your self-publishing company ).

27. Where does the ISBN number need to be printed on a self-published book?

You’ll print it on the copyright page, and it’s included in the Cataloging-in-Publication data block if you use one. 

Otherwise, just print it on the copyright page and on the back cover as part of the barcode.

28. Is an ISBN the same as a barcode? If not, what are the differences?

The ISBN and barcode are different. Although both are found on the back of the book in the same place, they both fulfill a different function.

The ISBN is found above the barcode on the back of the book. And by now, you can answer the question, “ What is an ISBN number? “

The barcode is a representation of the ISBN in a form that can be identified by scanners. It includes extra information such as:

• The book’s fixed price and;
• The currency it’s being sold in.

Here are some facts about barcodes and ISBNs according to Bowker :

• A barcode is not an ISBN. It's a graphical representation of your book's ISBN and price.
• To use a barcode, you'll already need your book's ISBN number and pricing information.
• You can purchase and download a barcode after you've created an account at MyIdentifiers.com.
• You can store your barcodes for future use at MyIdentifiers.com .
• Make sure you enter the correct price on the barcode . Once the barcode is generated, the price cannot be changed.
• If you change the cost of your self-published book, you will need a new barcode. The ISBN, however, does not expire and does not need to be changed if you change the price. 

The standard barcode is known as the EAN (European Article Number) barcode and your barcode must be in this format to sell your book in bookstores.

29. What is the difference between the ASIN and ISBN numbers?

An ASIN is not the same as an ISBN. ASIN is a number used by Amazon to identify products, whereas ISBN is the universal number for identifying a book. 

ASIN numbers are only used by Amazon to manage and identify the products they are selling. It’s a 10-character alphanumeric unique identifier that’s assigned by Amazon.com only.

If you want to sell through other platforms—or in brick-and-mortar stores— you’re going to need an ISBN.

You can find this ASIN on your book page. In your browser, the Amazon ASIN will be after the product’s name and “dp.” The next place to find this is in your book or product details area of your book page.

Note: ASIN numbers are exclusive to Amazon, are non-transferable, and cannot be used in place of an ISBN.

30. What is the Bookland EAN Barcode?

According to Publisher Services, an official US ISBN Agency Partner:

“An EAN—which begins with the Bookland prefix 978—is called a Bookland EAN code and is used on books and book related products internationally. The Bookland symbol is the barcode of choice in the book industry because it allows for encodation of ISBNs (the numbers publishers use to identify their products).”

Since an ISBN is unique to one particular title (or product), the corresponding Bookland EAN symbol is a title-specific marking that is unique for that title.

For example, if a title is available in hardcover, softcover, and as an eBook, three unique ISBN Bookland EAN barcodes are required.

31. Should I use a “free” barcode-generating tool to save money?

No, it’s not a good idea to use a free barcode-generating tool, and we do not recommend it to authors. 

Here's why: While it's a tempting way to save money while self-publishing, many free barcodes are created with unreliable bitmapped images. They run the risk of not scanning when your book is being purchased. And you won’t be saving money if the barcode can’t be scanned properly.

For peace of mind, always pay for your book barcode(s) through a reliable source.

32. Are book ISBN numbers and barcodes sold separately?

Yes, the ISBN and barcode are sold separately. But, the barcode cannot be purchased without the ISBN being bought first.

You need an ISBN to get a barcode, but you don’t need a barcode to publish a book. 

Bowker offers an ISBN and barcode savings pack. It is a great value if you want to save some money and make it easier for setting up your ISBN and barcode together.

33. What are the best resources for finding out more about ISBNs and barcodes?

As we have mentioned throughout these questions, there are several best resources for finding out everything on ISBNs, including how to buy and set up for your book.

Additional resources for researching ISBNs include:

• International ISBN Agency
• ISBN.org by Bowker
• Bowkerlink Publisher Access System
• Bowker Identifier Services
• U.S. Copyright Office
• ISBN Guides: Basic Information
• SmashWords ISBN Manager
• ISBN Canada: Library and Archives Canada

That's it! You’ve reached the end of our frequently asked questions about ISBNs.

If you'd like for experienced publishing professionals to handle the entire process of getting an ISBN for your book, we can do that for you! Discover how SelfPublishing.com can help you publish your book !

Now you know exactly how to get an ISBN number for your self-published book, why it’s important, and if you actually need it.

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If the price of the book changes, does the ISBN? If changing the cover of a book, does a new ISBN have to be assigned? If typos are being corrected, is a new ISBN necessary?

If the price of the book changes, does the ISBN? No. The ISBN only changes if the product changes.

If changing the cover of a book, does a new ISBN have to be assigned? US practice is if the book is just out or the idea is to give a marketing boost to the product, then no, a new ISBN should not be assigned. However, if the change in cover substantially changes the product (ie., would lead to customer complaints), then a new ISBN should be used.

If typos are being corrected, is a new ISBN necessary? No.

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Testimony on the congressional budget office’s request for appropriations for fiscal year 2025.

CBO’s Director, Phillip Swagel, testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.

Chairman Reed, Ranking Member Fischer, and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present the Congressional Budget Office's budget request. CBO requests appropriations of $73.5 million for fiscal year 2025: About 89 percent would be for pay and benefits; 7 percent would be for information technology (IT); and 4 percent would be for training, expert consultant services, office supplies, and other items. The request amounts to an increase of $3.5 million, or 5 percent, from the $70 million that CBO received for 2024. That increase would address increased costs brought about by inflation, sustain investments in IT infrastructure, and enable CBO to expand its staff in key areas.

The requested budget is based on strong interest in CBO's work from the Congressional leadership, committees, and Members. On the legislative front this past year, CBO published about 675 cost estimates and devoted significant resources to analyzing the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (Public Law 118-5), the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (P.L. 118-31), and H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. The agency also fulfilled thousands of requests for technical assistance related to appropriation bills and the reauthorization of the farm bill. Providing estimates and assistance to the 119th Congress as it considers significant legislative initiatives is likely to require additional resources.

Operating under a continuing resolution—that is, at its fiscal year 2023 funding level—for half of fiscal year 2024 has been challenging. CBO postponed filling vacant positions and allowed the agency to shrink from 279 in late 2022 to 267 now. In addition, the agency cut back in myriad ways to save money.

CBO's fiscal year 2024 funding will enable the agency to grow back to 276 positions by the end of the year, and the fiscal year 2025 request would support 285 employees—enough to satisfy its responsibilities under the Congressional Budget Act and enable it to be even more responsive in preparing cost estimates and providing technical assistance to Congressional committees.

Of the nine new staff members in 2025:

• Five would improve CBO's capabilities to produce dynamic analysis (that is, determining how changes in fiscal policies would affect the economy), long-term estimates, analysis of defense weapons systems, and estimates of credit programs (like student loan programs);
• Two would enhance CBO's responsiveness in producing cost estimates and providing technical assistance in the legislative process;
• One would enhance CBO's IT security; and
• One would boost outreach to Congressional staff and the press.

CBO plans to use expert consultants more than it has in the past—enabling the agency to shift to the Congress's key areas of focus more easily and to be more nimble in conducting facility management, work in IT, and financial management.

CBO's requested increase is entirely for personnel expenses. In the request, total nonpersonnel expenses decline by about 3 percent because some of the agency's spending for IT in 2024—including purchases of equipment, cyber­security, and cloud services—is for deferred projects that will not recur in 2025.

Related Publications

• The Congressional Budget Office’s Request for Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025 March 25, 2024