ISBN Barcode Generator
Turn your ISBN into the barcode for your book’s back cover, ready for KDP, IngramSpark or your printer.
- ISBN-13 & ISBN-10
- Check digit verified
- Vector SVG
- Self-publishing ready
Loading the barcode engine…
Printed at 0.33 mm per bar: 37.3 × 30.7 mm (1.47 × 1.21 in)
What is an ISBN barcode?
An ISBN barcode is an EAN-13 barcode (called Bookland EAN) that encodes your book’s 13-digit ISBN, with the ISBN printed above the bars. Retailers and distributors scan it at checkout and in warehouses. Enter your ISBN-13, or an older ISBN-10, which is converted to the 978-prefixed ISBN-13 automatically. Type the ISBN with its hyphens, exactly as on your copyright page, to print the “ISBN 978-…” line above the barcode.
How to make an ISBN barcode
- Copy your ISBN from your ISBN agency (Bowker in the US, Nielsen in the UK) or copyright page, including hyphens.
- Paste it in. ISBN-10s are converted and check digits verified.
- Keep the 0.33 mm bar width for standard size, or slightly smaller to fit the cover.
- Download the SVG for your cover designer or a 600 DPI PNG.
ISBN barcode tips
- Amazon KDP can add a barcode for you; IngramSpark and many printers need you to supply one.
- Price add-on codes (the small 5-digit barcode) are mainly used in the US book trade; many self-publishers omit them.
- Place the barcode on the lower right of the back cover on a white background.
- Do not reduce below about 80% of standard size.
Why use this isbn barcode generator
- No email, no account, no watermarkMany barcode sites ask for an email before the download. Here the image is created on your device and saved straight away.
- Print-ready sizesChoose the bar width in millimetres and 150–600 DPI, see the printed size before you download, or take a vector SVG.
- Check digits handled for youUPC, EAN, ISBN and ITF-14 check digits are calculated or verified, with a clear message if a number is wrong.
- Bulk and label sheetsPaste a column from Excel and get a ZIP of images or a PDF laid out on Avery 5160, 5163, L7160 and other sheets.
Common uses
- Self-published paperbacks. Cover barcodes for IngramSpark and other printers.
- Book covers in Canva or InDesign. Place the SVG on the back cover.
- Converting ISBN-10. Get the ISBN-13 for older titles.
- Checking an ISBN. Verify the check digit before printing.
Need a code people scan with their phone? Use the QR code generator or the Wi-Fi QR code generator. Pair labels with a UUID or random number generator for unique IDs.
Example: convert an ISBN-10
ISBN-10: 1-56581-231-X Converted ISBN-13: 9781565812314 (new check digit 4) Type it as 978-1-56581-231-4 to print the ISBN line above the barcode.
What to expect from the result
This tool creates barcode images; it does not issue product numbers. Retailers and marketplaces require UPC/EAN numbers licensed from GS1. Always test-scan a printed sample, especially at small sizes, on coloured backgrounds or with low-quality printers.
ISBN Barcode Generator questions
Do I need a barcode for my ISBN?
Physical books sold through stores and distributors need one. Amazon KDP can generate it for you; other printers often require you to provide it.
Can I make an ISBN barcode for free?
Yes. Generating the barcode image is free here. The ISBN itself must be bought or obtained from your national ISBN agency.
How do I convert ISBN-10 to ISBN-13?
Add 978 in front, drop the old check digit and calculate a new one. Enter the ISBN-10 here and it is converted automatically.
Why is the ISBN text not above the barcode?
Type the ISBN with its four hyphens (for example 978-1-56581-231-4). Without hyphens the barcode still scans but the ISBN line is omitted, because hyphen positions vary by publisher.
What file should I give my cover designer?
The SVG. It is vector, so it stays sharp at any size in InDesign, Illustrator, Affinity or Canva.