How do I get an ISBN Number?

Dave, I'm trying to publish my own book and just found out I need to get an ISBN. What is an ISBN, how do I get one, and how much does it cost?

Dave's Answer:

ISBN is the International Standard Book Number, a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published anywhere in the world. Pick up any book on your bookshelf and you'll find that it has an ISBN. My book Wicked Cool Shell Scripts has an assigned ISBN of 978-1-59327-012-7.

Turns out you can decipher this ISBN number too: the five parts of an ISBN are the EAN or GS1 ('978' in the ISBN above), group or country identified ('1'), publisher identifier ('59327'), title identifier ('012') and the check digit ('7'). Sure enough, check another title from the same publisher, NoStarch Press, Write Portable Code, its ISBN is ISBN 978-1-59327-056-9.

ISBN numbers are assigned by a group of agencies worldwide coordinated by the International ISBN Agency in London, England. In the United States, ISBNs are assigned by the U.S. ISBN Agency: R.R. Bowker is the independent agent in the US for this system. Their website: MyIdentifiers.com.

You can apply for an ISBN on their Web site -- there's a fee of $125.00 for a single ISBN or $250 for 10 ISBNs. The assignment of ISBNs is immediate and there's also a title registration service offered that allows you to provide and update your book's metadata for better marketing through online bibliographic databases.

All told, for a new publisher to get an ISBN (or ten) will cost $250, or $25/ISBN. Since you can get 10 ISBNs for the same price as two, it's worth applying for books on your horizon too, rather than just the one you're about to publish.

Here's the critical link: Get Your ISBN Now.

Note that there's a print application too, if you'd prefer not filling it out electronically and paying by credit card.

I hope this gets you started with your ISBN application. Once you've done that, don't forget to also register your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office too!

Article updated October 2012 with more current pricing and links.

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Categorized: The Writing Business (Article 4074, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: book publishing, copyright, ebook, ebook publishing, isbn
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Reader Comments To Date: 65

Alexander Muse said, on July 19, 2005 2:24 AM:

I went through this for my DVD. Check out the post:

http://motorsportranch.typepad.com/weblog/2005/05/getting_the_dvd.html

Satdev sharma said, on April 6, 2007 5:49 AM:

is there agency in india authorised to issue ISBN

Boris Torres said, on April 7, 2007 12:18 AM:

how about Peru? i need to publish a comic book and need to check if it can be registered here or via web in the states?

sharib said, on October 27, 2007 12:29 AM:

is their any agency in india who can issue isbn number how do i apply for isbn no in india

kelly said, on November 7, 2007 1:39 PM:

is the 25 dollar annually fee for the whole package or 25 dollars for each isbn number you have...10 x 25=250?

jan said, on January 1, 2008 11:05 AM:

Happy new year.

I have self-published three books but have recently revised them. Do I need a new ISBN number and do you know if I need to copy right them again?

Jan

S.Babu said, on July 16, 2008 5:09 AM:

Sir,
I am from Tamilnadu, India. I have written three books on Tamil literature and I wish to apply for ISBN numbers. kindly let me know the procedure for getting the same.
thanking You

Babu.

raju said, on September 19, 2008 7:30 AM:

how to get an isbn number in india via online?

Ramesh C Nayak said, on October 8, 2008 12:24 AM:

If I want to contact about ISBN in India,What, how and where to do it.

Goodwin said, on October 24, 2008 4:58 AM:

I am a Printer. My client wants to print a book. He wants me to get ISBN for him. Neither my client nor myself is a publisher. How should I proceed?

Goodwin

Grace Joy A. Cabuguas said, on November 16, 2008 10:27 PM:

Good day!

I would like to inquire on how to get ISBN? what are the requirements? how quickly we can get it? thaks! hopin g for a positive response

Grace Joy A. Cabuguas said, on November 16, 2008 10:39 PM:

Good day!

Sir, I would like to ask how to get an ISBN in the Phillipines? can you pls. give a contact number/ e-mail add where I can get an ISBN in the Phils.? thank you very much..........hoping for a positive response...

Sanjeev said, on February 2, 2009 12:42 AM:

Dear dave,
We are going to start a Research Journal on Allied Science and Technology and I was loking at ISBN no. application for under the website http://education.nic.in/isbn/isbnproforma-rev.asp

. It says that Journal doesnt need ISBN no. is it right? Can we publish our Journal without ISBN no? is it Legally Right?

Regards,
Sanjeev

B Mukherjee said, on April 24, 2009 3:47 AM:

We are going to publish a scientific journals on behalf of an organization. How can we get it from India? Is there any such center in India where we can apply

SURENDER said, on June 7, 2009 2:10 PM:

I would like to inquire on how to get ISBN? what are the requirements? how quickly we can get it? thaks! hopin g for a positive response

Kanu Patel said, on June 26, 2009 4:27 AM:

Is their any agency in india who can issue isbn number how do i apply for isbn no in india

Please Give me Information

umargani said, on July 1, 2009 1:09 AM:

I am from Tamilnadu, India. I have written two books on human genes and I wish to apply for ISBN numbers. kindly let me know the procedure for getting the same.
thanking You
Regards
Umargani

K JAYARAJ said, on July 11, 2009 4:15 AM:

i am from coimbatore of tamilnadu. i want to publish a book relates with journalism and mass communication. Hence i need a details about to get the ISBN.

Samantha said, on August 1, 2009 6:02 PM:

Hi Dave,
For your information, Aardvark Global Publishing is an authorized agent for the ISBN agency with the ability to assign single isbn's to books and other book projects. Authors can get a single isbn package in Aardvark's name for $55.00 or in their own name for $129.00. A package includes a digital barcode, webpage for their product, no restrictions and they get to keep the rights to their book. Plus, Aardvark is easy to work with and specializes in helping new authors publish their books inexpensively. ISBN assignment can be attained on line at any time with the ability to get one immediately with the authors package.

kirtika said, on October 25, 2009 4:39 AM:

HELLO DEV
We are going to start a Research Journal on Engineering and Technology and I was loking at ISBN no.
I also want to know all the requirements to publish our own journal.
Can we publish our Journal without ISBN no? is it Legally Right?

Regards,
kirtika

Diwakar Singh said, on November 26, 2009 12:34 AM:

Dear Sir,

I want to open my own publishing company can you please tell me that from where I can get complete information regarding registration, distribution, etc.

Can I please request you to give me any link if you can?

Thank you

Yours faithfully
DIWAKAR SINGH, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Directorate of Groundnut Research
C-101, Surbhi Complex, Deepanjli-2,
Junagadh-362001, Gujarat, India

RAJA said, on December 22, 2009 5:18 AM:

Sir,
I am from Tamilnadu, India. I have written three books on Tamil literature and I wish to apply for ISBN numbers. kindly let me know the procedure for getting the same.
thanking You

BY
RAJA

KALAIKKANNAN said, on January 2, 2010 2:08 AM:

Sir,
I am from Tamil Nadu, India. I have written a books on Tamil poet for the past 20 years. Now I would like to publish for the same. So I want to apply for ISBN number. Pls let me know the procedure & guidence for getting the same.
Thanking You

swarupjyoti ghosh said, on January 6, 2010 8:15 AM:

sir,
I have written a book on algorithm.
how can i get an isbn number in india.

partha said, on January 16, 2010 12:48 AM:

what are the difference between 10digit isbn no. and 13 digit isbn no.

Dr, James J, D'Amato, PhD., DD, MSW said, on January 17, 2010 7:22 PM:

please send me information and an application to apply for an ISBN. also, can I use this number on CD's I publish instead of books?

RevStu said, on February 5, 2010 7:42 PM:

Is there any difference between getting an ISBN from USA or Australia and if so what ? thnx :)

Rajendra said, on February 8, 2010 12:31 AM:

Please send me a mail regarding the procedure for obtaining ISBN number for my self published book in Maharashtra, India.
Thank You

SHALINI said, on April 6, 2010 12:19 PM:

Sir/ madam
i am working as a lecturer in the Dept. of English. we have planned to conduct a national seminar and to release a conference proceedings for the same. kindly let me how to get an ISBN Number for the conference proceedings in India, especially in Tamil Nadu. Kindly do the needful

Heather said, on April 12, 2010 10:53 AM:

Dear Dave-

I am in the process of writing a book. My intention is to self-publish once finished.
BUT-I want to use a pen name and keep my actual identity unknown. How do I do that?

Thanks so much-Heather

Nilanko Mallik said, on April 24, 2010 4:36 AM:

In India, getting ISBN is free. Apply at the following address:
Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBN
A2/W4, Curzon Road Barracks,
Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
New Delhi-110001
Telephone No. 23384687, 23382549 (Extn. 12)
You can download the application form from http://www.education.nic.in/isbn/isbnbrief.asp and then clicking on Proforma for Free Registration (Revised). Check it.

madhu sudhakar said, on June 8, 2010 4:01 AM:

sir iwant start a new nursing jobs consultency in india plz guie me to start this one

she said, on June 17, 2010 2:55 PM:

Question … I have my own ISBN … So does this mean I can keep it … AND … have a ISBN assigned to me through a POD (createspace) thus having two ISBN numbers?
I read that this is okay as long as the books I publish with my ISBN include the createspace ISBN on the copyright page. Is this true? More importantly … is it legal?

Dr.Manoj Sharma said, on June 23, 2010 9:25 PM:

i am a publiser of a regular monthly magzine name sadmarg.iIhave also publised two books of a other writer Mr.Birbal choudhry.Sir I want ISBN for my monthly magzine sadmarg.How to I get ISBN please mail me.Thanks
Dr.Manoj Sharma,
Sadmarg Rastriya Parkashan,
Shivalik Rishikul,Sec-21,
Ambala Road,Kaithal(Haryana)
Pin-136027,Phone-01746229687

pam usher said, on July 30, 2010 4:52 AM:

Hi, About isbn numbers. I know I can buy 10 for about £10 each. Does this mean that one of them is for my book and the rest are for future books ? Thank Pam

Nilanko Mallik said, on August 26, 2010 1:35 PM:

Dr Manoj Sharma: See my previous post, where I have mentioned the website where you can download the form, and the address where you are to send the form.
@ She: As far as I know, a work can have only one ISBN, unless it's a revised edition of the work.

moha,ed said, on October 2, 2010 9:22 AM:

how i can get free isbn for my book? are their?

Marc said, on November 10, 2010 7:50 AM:

I got my own isbn a week ago. It cost me a few hundred bucks. I didnt register a US-ISBN, i took a european isbn (it was cheaper). On http://www.isbn-search.co.uk/ you are able to look for all registered books.

Richa Jo said, on December 27, 2010 6:35 AM:

how to get ISBN number, i wrote books in english....

Ray said, on December 30, 2010 2:25 AM:

For those asking about ISBN applications in other countries, I found a web site that seems to be able to provide the contact information for the agencies that provide that service world wide. http://www.isbn-international.org/agency

Hope this helps.

anand said, on January 3, 2011 12:52 AM:

I need to know about ISSN & ISBN for Books and Journals

Lucy said, on January 11, 2011 12:04 AM:

Hi, I’m a writer looking for a way to start selling my books on kindle. I think it would be a great first move for a self publisher and I think I have a lot to offer the readers of kindle…

I was wondering if you could tell me the step by step process of publishing on kindle I would be grateful.

Cobie said, on February 17, 2011 2:27 AM:

If I sell my eBook through amazon and barnes and noble, I understand you will asign an ISBN number to it.
My question is can I also self-publish my eBook as well with my own acquired ISBN number?

Cobie said, on February 17, 2011 2:43 AM:

Hi Dave,

Can you please tell me what the process is to covert an ebook into a paper book?

Thanks!

Shivaji said, on March 7, 2011 6:46 AM:

Good day!

We are going to start a Research Journal on Allied Science and Technology and I was loking at ISBN no. application for under the website http://shivajimirashe.webs.com/
Is their any agency in india who can issue isbn number how do i apply for isbn no in india Please Give me Information.
Thanks! hoping for a positive response.
Regards,
Shivaji.

Ross said, on March 14, 2011 11:18 AM:

Hi Dave,
What is the ISBN agency for Bulgaria?

pavan said, on March 19, 2011 8:46 AM:

helo sir,
i want publish monthly short book on social how i do it any registration need for it tel me its process

Eesh said, on April 5, 2011 12:16 AM:

I am working in an educational institute. we are organising a national conference. We are publishing a book of selected papers. Can we get an ISBN no for this book

Sarah Jo said, on April 24, 2011 10:24 PM:

how i can get free isbn for my book?

govind said, on August 20, 2011 8:01 AM:

SIR HOW TO GET AN ISBN NUMBER IN INDIA

Ojo said, on October 11, 2011 12:45 PM:

A book written and published without an ISBN number is hard work in vain. Because means that the author has only succeed in working hard for pirates to making money at his own expense.So if you an always make you get ISBN number for your book...

Prakash Jain said, on November 15, 2011 11:41 PM:

I am working in an educational Institute,we are organising a National conference.We are publishing a book of selected papers.Can we get an ISSN/ISBN no. for this book.

Dinesh Agarawal said, on January 3, 2012 12:23 AM:

We are required a ISBN

Henry said, on January 21, 2012 10:23 PM:

Great question and great answer. Nobody knows how to get an isbn but I'll point them in this direction.

ASHOK YAKKALDEVI said, on January 29, 2012 6:42 AM:

Respected sir
i am a new publisher of book publishing online and print so plz guide us how to get isbn no
thanking you

anant patil said, on March 15, 2012 4:23 AM:

hi sir madam we are found the social science research institute in akola ms we will be starting the educational and social science journal. pls. give me guidline for getting the ISBN number for this journal. thanking you.
anant patil.
co-ordinater sankalpa social science research institute akola MS

mickey said, on March 15, 2012 11:45 AM:

I decided to publish with GRIN (http://www.grin.com/en/) - it is easy and they assign an ISBN to your paper, book, research papaer and it didn't cost me a penny. Just have a look for yourself - I just love this easy way of publishing and see royalties puring in on a regular basis ;-)

Shiju said, on April 23, 2012 12:08 PM:

why is it so costly here?
you can get it for free at createspace.

NIBEDITA LAHIRI said, on August 28, 2012 9:34 AM:

I want a ISBN no of my book.If I send all the testimonials through speedpost from Birbhum.How much time will it take to get this no.
WithThanks

Rici said, on October 15, 2012 9:04 AM:

This information is pretty much out of date. Bowker, who owns ISBN.ORG, also owns My Identifiers.

Getting your ISBNs is instant, and no extra expediting fees are necessary.

You will want to try this link: https://www.myidentifiers.com/Get-your-isbn-now

Md. Mokter Ali said, on October 17, 2012 1:30 AM:

We are going to start a Research Journal, Name hopefully- "Basic and Social Science journal" at Gono Bishwabidyalay/University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Please guide us how to get ISBN no, Types and Cost,How much time will it take to get this no? etc. through E-mail: dipugb@gmail.com

co-ordinater,
Gono University Research committee.

or

Lecturer
Dept. of Sociology and Social Work,Gono University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

dr.rita d. mori said, on November 8, 2012 10:09 PM:

happy diwali sir !

Dave Taylor said, on November 8, 2012 11:41 PM:

and to you too, Dr. Mori!

jayachandran said, on November 13, 2012 11:14 AM:

sir,
please give the information about how to get the ISBN,contact no.

Dr. Ashraf said, on December 6, 2012 12:29 AM:

Dear
I have written two books (i)in Urdu and Persian (ii)in Persian. I need IBBN number how do apply for ISBN.
Dr. Ashraf

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How do I get an ISBN Number?

Reader Comments To Date: 65

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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