How do I read an ISBN number? (2023)

How do you read an ISBN number?

To verify an ISBN, calculate 10 times the first digit, plus 9 times the second digit, plus 8 times the third digit and so on until we add 1 time the last digit. If the final number leaves no remainder when divided by 11, the code is a valid ISBN.

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.

ISBN 10 and ISBN 13 are two different systems used in systematic numbering of books between which some differences can be identified. ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. ISBN 10 was the system that was used earlier whereas ISBN 13 is the new system. This is the main difference between the two systems.

There are five parts to an ISBN number – the current prefix of 978 or 979, the registration group (country), the registrant element (publisher), the publication element (title and format) and the check digit.

The number line, or printer's key, often seen on the copyright page of books is simply a method of record-keeping that helps identify the book's printing and, for some, year of printing a specific book, which may or may not be different than the original copyright date listed elsewhere on the page.

To calculate the check digit, take the remainder of (5 / 10), which is also known as (5 modulo 10), and if not 0, subtract from 10: i.e. (5 / 10) = 0 remainder 5; (10 - 5) = 5. Therefore, the check digit x value is 5.

The check digit is calculated by taking the nine digits comprised of the group identifier, publisher identifier and the title identifier. The first, leftmost, digit of the nine is multiplied by ten, then working from left to right, each successive digit is multiplied by one less than the one before.

The smallest 13-digit number is 1 followed by 12 zeros. This number is called one trillion. The largest 13-digit number is 9 followed by another 12 nines. This number is called nine trillion nine hundred ninety-nine billion nine hundred ninety-nine million nine hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine.

How do you read an edition of a book number?

Generally speaking, if the “1” is present, the book is a first edition (first edition, first printing). For the second printing, the “1” is removed, so the “2” is the lowest number present. For example, a number line that reads 5 6 7 8 9 indicates a fifth printing.

What Are ISBN 10 and ISBN 13? ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 indicate how many digits are in the ISBN and are two separate systems for identifying books. Before 2007, there were only 10-digit ISBNs; thereafter, 13-digit ISBNs were introduced and used to increase the availability of ISBNs worldwide.

In January 2007, the 13-digit ISBN was launched to increase the capacity of the ISBN system. Currently, all 13-digit ISBNs assigned by the US ISBN Agency use the 978 prefix, which allows systems to contain both 10- and 13-digit ISBNs for all books.

Once assigned to a book, an ISBN cannot be reused. This is a very important point to keep in mind. The same ISBN cannot be used for different formats of the book, whether the book is in printed or electronic form. That means hardcover and softcover versions of the book have to be assigned separate ISBNs.

ISBNdb: The World's largest book database™

ISBNdb gathers data from hundreds of libraries, publishers, merchants and other sources around the globe to compile a vast collection of unique book data searchable by ISBN, title, author, or publisher.

ISBN-10: The number has 9 information digits and ends with 1 check digit.

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique International Publisher's Identifier number, which is meant for monograph publications. ISBN is the thirteen-digit number, which replaces the handling of long bibliographic descriptive records.

Every book published has a unique number assigned to it – an International Standard Book Number (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.

What Are ISBN 10 and ISBN 13? ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 indicate how many digits are in the ISBN and are two separate systems for identifying books. Before 2007, there were only 10-digit ISBNs; thereafter, 13-digit ISBNs were introduced and used to increase the availability of ISBNs worldwide.

What is ISBN code for books?

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique International Publisher's Identifier number, which is meant for monograph publications. ISBN is the thirteen-digit number, which replaces the handling of long bibliographic descriptive records.

Generally speaking, if the “1” is present, the book is a first edition (first edition, first printing). For the second printing, the “1” is removed, so the “2” is the lowest number present. For example, a number line that reads 5 6 7 8 9 indicates a fifth printing.

In January 2007, the 13-digit ISBN was launched to increase the capacity of the ISBN system. Currently, all 13-digit ISBNs assigned by the US ISBN Agency use the 978 prefix, which allows systems to contain both 10- and 13-digit ISBNs for all books.

Once assigned to a book, an ISBN cannot be reused. This is a very important point to keep in mind. The same ISBN cannot be used for different formats of the book, whether the book is in printed or electronic form. That means hardcover and softcover versions of the book have to be assigned separate ISBNs.

International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) are 10- to 13-digit codes that identify a particular book, or version of a book, when dealers, libraries, or just about anyone searches its designated ISBN number. Every nonserial, traditional book requires an ISBN, including books that are part of a nonserial series.

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is intended to identify a unique edition of a book. Thus a hardcover edition of a book will carry a different ISBN than a paperback edition of the same book, and a revised edition of a book gets a new ISBN even if it carries the same title.

ISBNdb: The World's largest book database™

ISBNdb gathers data from hundreds of libraries, publishers, merchants and other sources around the globe to compile a vast collection of unique book data searchable by ISBN, title, author, or publisher.

The check digit is calculated by taking the nine digits comprised of the group identifier, publisher identifier and the title identifier. The first, leftmost, digit of the nine is multiplied by ten, then working from left to right, each successive digit is multiplied by one less than the one before.

Reasons for invalid ISBNs

invalid characters (,. etc.) too long (but could be ISBN13 or even an ISBN13 with the digits "13" in front giving 15 digits, or "10" giving 12). 13 digit numbers that start with anything other than 978 or 979-10 (as of 2012).

Why is ISBN important?

Is ISBN necessary? The ISBN helps customers identify and order the exact book they want to purchase. Libraries, bookstores, online retailers, distributors, and wholesalers depend on this unique identifier to track purchases and sales, and it will be necessary to apply for an ISBN if you intend to sell to them.