ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number and it is a unique identifying number for a book. It refers to a specific edition. Publishers, libraries, and booksellers both in retail stores and online find ISBNs invaluable. A book shopper can also find them very helpful.
For example, paperback and hardcover versions of the same title will have different ISBNs. A textbook will have a separate ISBN for each edition. International Edition textbooks have a different ISBN than the standard edition. If a book is reprinted by its same publisher without any changes or revisions, it will keep the same ISBN.
What about 10-digit vs 13-digit ISBNs?
All books published since 1970 (1974 in the UK) have 10-digit ISBNs.
Since 2005-2007 books also have a 13-digit number which begins with 978.
To find the ISBN of a particular book, just turn it over and look on the back. If the number is not identified as ISBN, then look in the bar code area for a 13-digit number beginning with 978. The ISBN can also be found on the copyright page in the front of the book.
Tips for using an ISBN for a search:
- You can use either the 10-digit or 13-digit ISBN to search in the keyword field on Biblio.
- You do not need to include dashes, just the number, with no spaces between the numbers.
- An ISBN refers to a specific edition of a book. If you need a particular edition or format for a book, the ISBN should guarantee to get the book you expect. This is particularly relevant with textbooks and other books that have been updated.
- Paperback editions and hardcover editions will have their own ISBNs.
- If you are looking for a book with specific formatting such as large print, or possibly an edition printed in the U.K. instead of the U.S., then the ISBN can be very useful.
- If you want to read a book but are not particular about the edition, then don’t limit yourself to one ISBN. Search with the title or author information.
- Keep in mind that books published before 1970 will not have an ISBN unless they have been reprinted.
Biblio offers a unique multiple ISBN search that allows you to enter one or more ISBN numbers to be searched for simultaneously. Biblio’s ISBN Search helps you find the right title, every time.
I have a book ready to be publish. Where can I get a ISBN?
FELIPE
i wanted to know about the terma and conditions for applying an ISBN?
i have a few collectabe books i want to sell hope you can help.some are first editions.by earnest hemingway,charles dickens,robert l.stevinson,edgar allen poe,pearl buck,mark twan,thats a few and most are first editions.i want to know if you can get me a good price.thanks,barbara
@Neha I hope you’ll find some answers on following website http://lookup-isbn.com/faq/
I HAVE A LOT OF BOOKS PULBISHED IN THE EARLY 1900 TO LATE 1800. WHAT CAN I DO WITH THEM BESIDES DONATING THEM. WHO DO I CONTACT ABOUT SELLING THEM AND WHERE CAN I FIND INFO ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY ARE WORTH. MANY ARE FIRST EDITIONS
You might be able to publish them if the copyright has expired. Might be something to look into.
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I need a textbook for a class. It needs to be the 8th edition. I currently have the 8th edition, published in the correct year as specified by my instructor. However, the ISBN number he gave is different. It needs to be the same because I need to have access to the interactive online website linked with the book. The book I have also has access to it, but I have no way of knowing if it’s the right book. Is it the same book?
I would like to know if the ISBN of a book can be found not only outside but somewhere inside the book
Please expand the ISBN description to decode what each group of number means e.g. which is the publisher number and what do the other numbers mean