Use an ISBN that belongs to your publication
An ISBN identifies a particular publication edition and format. This tool creates the visible barcode for an identifier you already have; it does not issue ISBNs, register a book, create publisher records or reserve a number. Obtain the appropriate identifier through your ISBN agency or publishing arrangement before using it on a commercial cover.
ISBN-13 is represented using the EAN-13 symbol commonly called Bookland. An older ISBN-10 can be converted to an ISBN-13 beginning with 978. The final check digit changes because the two numbering systems use different calculations. The preview displays the final 13-digit value so that you can compare it with the publication record before exporting.
You can enter a hyphenated ISBN or its digits without separators. An ISBN-10 may end with X, representing ten in its check-digit calculation. Do not replace an X with a zero. The generator rejects incorrect check digits rather than silently drawing a symbol for a mistyped identifier. A mathematically valid number still needs to be checked against the actual book.
Place the barcode on the cover
Use a white or suitably light opaque area with dark bars. Leave the quiet zones to either side clear of cover text, prices, background illustrations and trim edges. A decorative background visible through the gaps can reduce contrast, even when the symbol looks attractive on screen. Keep the human-readable digits available for checking and manual entry.
Export SVG for the cover designer so the bars remain vector shapes throughout layout and PDF production. Preserve the aspect ratio and set a deliberate final size. Do not squeeze the barcode horizontally to fit the spine or shorten the bars merely to gain room for promotional copy. Follow the print specification agreed with your distributor or printer.
This page generates the main Bookland EAN-13 symbol. It does not add a five-digit price supplement, publisher imprint information or a full cover layout. If a distributor requires supplemental pricing, ask which convention and price data it expects and use a workflow that explicitly supports the supplement. Do not place a separate unrelated barcode beside the main symbol.
Before a print run, inspect a physical proof on the final cover stock. Scan the barcode and compare the thirteen decoded digits with the ISBN printed elsewhere in the book and in your distribution metadata. This catches a correct-looking barcode linked to the wrong edition. A successful scan does not verify ownership or publication metadata, and this website does not register any UPC or EAN number with GS1.
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Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can this issue a new ISBN?
No. Obtain an ISBN from the relevant agency or publishing provider. This tool validates and draws an existing number.
Why are there 13 digits after I enter an ISBN-10?
The barcode uses Bookland EAN-13. The older ISBN-10 is converted to its corresponding 978-prefixed ISBN-13 with a new check digit.
Does the download include a price add-on?
No. The output contains the main EAN-13 symbol only. Confirm any supplemental price-code requirements with your distributor.