ISBN barcodes: how to make a barcode for your book

ISBN and EAN-13 are the same number

Since 2007, ISBNs have 13 digits and are part of the same GS1 numbering system as product barcodes. ISBNs use 978 and allocated parts of 979, prefixes often called "Bookland". The 979-0 prefix is used for notated music (ISMN), including digital editions. An ISBN-13 is therefore a valid EAN-13, and the barcode on the back of a book is an EAN-13 barcode encoding those digits.

The hyphens in a printed ISBN, such as 978-0-201-37962-4, separate the prefix, registration group, registrant, publication, and check digit. The barcode leaves them out.

Where to get an ISBN

ISBNs are issued by a national ISBN agency, not by GS1. Examples include Bowker in the United States, Nielsen in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and Library and Archives Canada. Some agencies charge per ISBN or per block, and some countries issue them free. The International ISBN Agency lists every national agency at isbn-international.org.

• One ISBN per format. If you assign ISBNs, use a separate one for each format you sell, such as paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audiobook.
• A new edition needs a new ISBN. A reprint with small corrections usually does not.
• Platform ISBNs. Some self-publishing platforms offer a free ISBN. It often lists the platform as the publisher and may only be usable for books distributed through that platform. Read their terms before choosing it.

Converting an old 10-digit ISBN

A 10-digit ISBN converts to ISBN-13 by adding 978 at the front and recalculating the last digit. The old check digit used a different method (modulo 11, which is why some ended in X), so you cannot just keep it.

1. Take the first 9 digits of the ISBN-10: 020137962 from 0-201-37962-7.
2. Put 978 in front: 978020137962.
3. Calculate the EAN-13 check digit: 4. The ISBN-13 is 9780201379624.

The check digit calculator does step 3 for you.

The price add-on (EAN-5)

Many books sold in North America show a smaller, 5-digit barcode to the right of the main one. This add-on is optional and carries a suggested retail price:

• The first digit can indicate a currency: 5 means US dollars, and 6 means Canadian dollars.
• For a priced book, the next four digits specify the amount. 52495 means US$24.95.
• 90000 means no price is encoded.

Outside North America the add-on is less common, and some countries use it differently or not at all. Ask your distributor what they need. Barcode Pro does not currently generate the 5-digit add-on; you can place the EAN-13 from the studio and leave space for the add-on if your printer provides it.

Size and placement

• Where: the back cover, usually bottom right. For a dust jacket, the back of the jacket.
• Size: about 37 × 26 mm at 100% magnification; for retail checkout scanning, use at least 80%. The size guide has the details.
• Background: a solid white or very light box, even if the cover design is dark.
• Bars: black or another dark color. No red, orange, or yellow bars.
• Human-readable text: the digits below the bars, and conventionally the hyphenated "ISBN 978-..." line above them.
• Quiet zones: keep the margins on either side of the bars clear of cover artwork and text.

ISBN, ISSN and magazine barcodes

Magazines and journals use an ISSN rather than an ISBN. ISSN-based EAN-13 barcodes start with 977 and may carry a 2-digit add-on that distinguishes issues. If you publish a periodical, request an ISSN from your national ISSN center or, where none exists, the ISSN International Centre and follow its barcode guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Is the ISBN the same as the barcode number?

For a 13-digit ISBN, yes. The EAN-13 barcode on a book encodes the ISBN-13 digits without the hyphens. An older 10-digit ISBN has to be converted to ISBN-13 first, which requires a new check-digit calculation.

Do I need to buy a barcode for my ISBN?

No. Once you have an ISBN, you can generate its EAN-13 barcode yourself. What you do need is the ISBN, which comes from the ISBN agency for your country or, for some self-publishing services, from the platform.

What is the small second barcode next to the ISBN barcode?

It is a 5-digit add-on, often called EAN-5, that can carry the recommended retail price. In the US, a value starting with 5 means US dollars, so 51999 means $19.99, and 90000 means no price is encoded. Many countries do not use it.

Can the ISBN barcode be in color?

Retail and library scanners expect dark bars on a light background. Black on white is the safest choice. Avoid red, orange, or yellow bars, and do not print the barcode over a busy cover image.