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How to Get an ISBN Number for Your Book

If you plan to sell your book through bookstores, libraries, wholesalers, or most distribution networks, you need an ISBN. The ISBN is the identifier that tells retailers exactly which book, format, edition, and publisher they are listing.

The short answer: in the U.S., you get an ISBN from Bowker through MyIdentifiers.com, then assign it to the correct book format before distribution. The longer answer is that your ISBN choice affects your publisher name, metadata control, print setup, and future editions.

1

Before you buy: know how many ISBNs you need

An ISBN identifies one specific edition and format of a book. That means a paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audiobook usually need separate ISBNs if you distribute them broadly.

For example:

  • Paperback: 1 ISBN
  • Hardcover: 1 ISBN
  • EPUB ebook: 1 ISBN
  • Audiobook: often 1 ISBN, depending on the distributor

If you are only publishing a Kindle ebook on Amazon, you may not need to buy your own ISBN because Amazon can use its own identifier. But if you want broader ebook distribution, bookstore ordering, library availability, or your own publisher imprint attached to the book, owning your ISBN is usually the cleaner long-term choice.

2

How to get an ISBN number for your book

1. Create or open your book project

Start by getting your book information organized in one place: title, subtitle, author name, description, format plan, publication date, and imprint name. In SelfPublishing.pro, you can do this from the dashboard by opening your book project or adding a new book.

Start from the dashboard to open or create your book project.
Start from the dashboard to open or create your book project.

This matters because the ISBN application and distribution metadata should match. If your title is still changing, wait to assign the ISBN until you are confident in the final title and format.

For a broader publishing sequence, see How to Publish a Book or How to Self Publish a Book.

2. Decide whether you want your own ISBN or a platform-assigned ISBN

You have two common options:

  • Buy your own ISBN from your country’s official ISBN agency.
  • Use a free or included ISBN from a publishing platform or distributor, if offered.

The tradeoff is control. A free platform ISBN can be fine for a single print edition on one platform, but the platform or its publishing entity may appear as the publisher of record. Buying your own ISBN lets you list your own imprint as the publisher and reuse that imprint across retailers and future books.

3. Buy the ISBN from the official agency

In the United States, Bowker is the official ISBN agency, and the buying site is MyIdentifiers.com. Authors outside the U.S. should use their national ISBN agency; pricing and eligibility vary by country, and some countries issue ISBNs at low or no cost.

When you buy, you will usually need:

  • Your legal name or business name
  • Publisher or imprint name
  • Mailing address
  • Email address
  • Payment method
  • Expected publishing activity

Choose the quantity based on your format plan. A single ISBN works for one format of one book. A 10-pack is often more practical if you will publish print plus ebook, release a hardcover later, or publish more than one title.

4. Assign the ISBN to the right format

After purchase, the ISBN sits in your account until you assign it. Assignment connects that ISBN to a specific book format and metadata record.

In your SelfPublishing.pro book detail view, check which formats you are preparing before you assign numbers. Do not use the same ISBN for paperback and hardcover, and do not reuse an ISBN for a substantially revised edition.

Use the book detail page to confirm which formats need ISBNs.
Use the book detail page to confirm which formats need ISBNs.

Typical assignment fields include:

  • Title and subtitle
  • Contributor names
  • Format, such as paperback or ebook
  • Publisher/imprint
  • Publication date
  • Price, where applicable
  • Subject categories
  • Description
  • Page count for print editions

5. Clean up your metadata before distribution

Your ISBN is only as useful as the metadata attached to it. Retailers, libraries, and wholesalers use that information to display and categorize your book.

In SelfPublishing.pro, update your title, author name, description, genre, categories, and SEO metadata before submitting the book for distribution.

Clean up title, author, description, genre, and SEO metadata before distribution.
Clean up title, author, description, genre, and SEO metadata before distribution.

This is also a good time to improve your book description, confirm your BISAC/category choices, and make sure the author name is formatted consistently across every format.

6. Add the ISBN to your book files

For print books, place the ISBN on the copyright page and use it in the back-cover barcode. For ebooks, include the ISBN in the front matter or copyright page if you are assigning one to that ebook edition.

If your files are ready for the SelfPublishing.pro team to prepare or review, upload your manuscript, cover, or production assets through the project upload page.

Upload final manuscript, cover, and production files for review or setup.
Upload final manuscript, cover, and production files for review or setup.

For print, the barcode belongs on the back cover. Some print services can generate the barcode during setup, while others expect you to provide a final cover file with the barcode already placed.

7. Submit the book for distribution

Once the ISBN is assigned and your metadata is final, you can move into distribution. SelfPublishing.pro supports ebook distribution to 27+ retailers and library partners, print-on-demand through Lightning Source or KDP, and audiobook pathways through ACX or Findaway.

If Amazon is your main channel, read How to Publish a Book on Amazon before deciding whether to use your own ISBN for print, Kindle, or both.

3

Common ISBN mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is buying one ISBN and using it everywhere. Retailers need separate identifiers for separate formats because each format has different files, pricing, dimensions, and availability.

Another mistake is assigning an ISBN too early. If you change the title, format, or edition after assignment, you may create messy metadata records that take time to correct.

Finally, do not treat the ISBN as a publishing plan. You still need clean files, a cover that meets retailer specs, a distribution path, accurate categories, and a royalty reporting workflow. The ISBN opens doors, but the metadata and production quality determine how smoothly the book moves through them.

Frequently asked

How do I get an ISBN number?
In the United States, you get an ISBN number from Bowker through MyIdentifiers.com, the official U.S. ISBN agency. Create an account, choose how many ISBNs you need, complete payment, then assign one ISBN to one specific book format. If you live outside the U.S., use your country’s official ISBN agency instead because pricing and rules vary.
How do I get an ISBN number for my book if I have multiple formats?
Plan one ISBN per format. A paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audiobook are separate products, so each generally needs its own ISBN for broad distribution. If you are publishing more than one format, a multi-pack may be cheaper than buying single ISBNs one at a time. Assign each ISBN carefully so the metadata matches the exact format.
How do you get an ISBN number for free?
Some publishing platforms and distributors offer free ISBNs, especially for print-on-demand books. The tradeoff is that the platform or its publishing entity may be listed as the publisher of record. That can be acceptable for a simple one-platform release, but authors who want their own imprint and broader metadata control usually buy their own ISBN.
How do I obtain an ISBN number for my book outside the United States?
Use the official ISBN agency for your country or territory. The International ISBN Agency maintains national agency information, and each country sets its own process, price, and eligibility rules. Do not assume Bowker applies worldwide; Bowker is the official agency for the United States and certain U.S. territories.
How do you get ISBN number placement on a book cover?
After assigning an ISBN to a print edition, use it to generate a barcode for the back cover. Many print-on-demand services can create the barcode during setup, while cover designers often place it directly on the final cover file. The ISBN should also appear on the copyright page so the interior and cover match.

Read next

How to Publish a Book on Amazon →

How to publish a book on Amazon KDP, from files and metadata to pricing, print setup, launch checks, and royalties.

How to Self Publish a Book →

Learn how to self publish a book from manuscript prep to distribution, royalties, print, and audiobook options with a practical author workflow.