ISBN

ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique numeric commercial book identifier that is intended to be unique to each edition and variation (except reprintings) of a book. The ISBN is 13 digits long if assigned on or after 1 January 2007, and 10 digits long if assigned before 2007. The method of assigning an ISBN is nation-based and varies from country to country, often depending on how large the publishing industry is within a country.

History

The 10-digit ISBN format was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and was published in 1970 as international standard ISO 2108. The United Kingdom continued to use the 9-digit SBN code until 1974. The ISO on-line facility only refers back to 1978. Since 1 January 2007, ISBNs have contained 13 digits, a format that is compatible with "Bookland" European Article Number EAN-13s.

Overview

An ISBN is assigned to each edition and variation (except reprintings) of a book. For example, an e-book, a paperback and a hardcover edition of the same book would each have a different ISBN. The ISBN is 13 digits long if assigned on or after 1 January 2007, and 10 digits long if assigned before 2007. An International Standard Book Number consists of 4 parts (if it is a 10-digit ISBN) or 5 parts (for a 13-digit ISBN).

Parts of an ISBN

The five parts of an ISBN are as follows:

• Prefix element – a GS1 prefix: so far 978 or 979 have been made available by GS1.
• Registration group element – the national, geographic, language or country group of publishers.
• Registrant element – the publisher, the publisher's imprint, the volume of the publication.
• Publication element – the edition and format of the book.
• Check digit – a single digit at the end of the ISBN which validates the ISBN.

Check digit calculation

Each ISBN is calculated using a specific mathematical formula and includes a check digit to validate the number.

Uses

The ISBN allows for efficient and reliable identification of a book's specific format, edition, and publisher by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers, and distributors.

See also

• International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
• International Standard Music Number (ISMN)
• International Standard Audiovisual Number (ISAN)
• International Article Number (EAN)