An Overview of What an ISBN Is and Its Purpose in the Publishing World
Look at the back of any book on your shelf. You will see a barcode, usually on the bottom and directly over some numbers. Those are the barcode numbers that retailers use to scan for inventory, prices, and sales. However, an International Standard Book Number, commonly referred to as an ISBN, is similar but different. The ISBN is often above the barcode and is a 13-digit number. The ISBN identifies individual versions of each and every book on the market. For each book, the ISBN catalogs the title, author, edition, publisher, type of binding, and publishing date.
Every major retailer, library, or website relies on books’ ISBNs to convey information to the customer. Without it, there is no way of knowing which book they are stocking. Many books can appear similar from the cover, so ISBNs help distinguish them apart. Each edition of every book — hardcover, paperback, eBook, audiobook — needs a unique ISBN.
The 13 digits of an ISBN are specifically formatted to ensure consistency across the publishing industry. This article will detail the parts of an ISBN and their modern-day application.
The 13 Digits of an ISBN (xxx-xx-xxx-xxxx-x)
The 13 digits of an ISBN follow a strict format. It is based on the language and country of origin, publisher, and specific book. Although they are 13 digits now, before 2007 they were only 10 digits. The three new digits were added to accommodate the ever-growing supply of books on the market.
There are five sections of an ISBN: prefix, registration group, registrant element, publication element, and check digit. These are often, but not always, separated by hyphens to easily show the delineation.
The Prefix (xxx-xx-xxx-xxxx-x)
As expected, the prefix of the ISBN is the beginning. It is the first three digits in the ISBN, almost always 978 or 979. This section was added when the digit count increased to 13. 978 usually represents the older works that existed pre-2007, while 979 accommodates the more recent books. There is not much to discuss here because of the generally static nature of the prefix.
The Registration Group (xxx-xx-xxx-xxxx-x)
The registration group is the next section. It is sourced from the book’s country of origin and language. This element can range from one to five digits based on the location; some countries have multiple groups.
The groups for the English-language United States are 1 and 2 for ISBNs with prefixes 978. For 979 prefixes, the United States has group 8. Some countries only have one code; for example, Iraq (9922), Sweden (91), and Chile (956). Others have multiple: Jordan (9923 and 9957), Argentina (950 and 987), and Benin (99919 and 99982).
The Registrant Element (xxx-xx-xxx-xxxx-x)
An ISBN’s next element is the registrant element, which ranges from one to seven digits. This is the part of the ISBN that identifies the specific publisher or imprint of the book. Each publisher has their own registrant element that is attached to all their books. For example, Cloverly Publishing’s registrant code is 89743, which can be seen on any of our releases.
The Publication Element (xxx-xx-xxx-xxxx-x)
Next is the part of the ISBN that identifies the specific book. Each edition of a book receives its own publication element to differentiate it from other editions. This is the part of the code that separates you from your publisher’s other authors. It can be up to six digits long. The length and combination of this and the registrant element are coordinated to ensure the ISBN is exactly 13 digits.
The Check Digit (xxx-xx-xxx-xxxx-x)
The final part of an ISBN is the check digit. This is a single digit that ensures the previous digits are all correct. There is a specific calculation to determine the check digit. As an author, however, you do not have to worry about this calculation — it comes built into your ISBN.
How to Get an ISBN
The Library of Congress tracks and catalogs books according to their ISBNs, but they do not issue them. The official provider of ISBNs in the United States is Bowker Publishing Services, which sells and distributes them to everybody.
For self-publishers, ISBNs are available to purchase online on Bowker’s website. They offer single ISBNs, as well as bulk orders of 10, 100, and 1,000 ISBNs. As mentioned earlier, make sure every edition of your book has its own unique ISBN. Other countries have different providers, so make sure you are getting the proper ISBNs for your book.
For authors working with Cloverly Children’s, however, we take care of obtaining ISBNs for all editions of your book. Your paperback, hardcover, eBook, and audiobook will get individual ISBNs to adhere to industry standards. We handle the technicalities of getting your book on the market, so you can focus on your writing.
