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ISBN Barcode Generator
Enter your ISBN-13 and instantly generate a print-ready EAN-13 barcode for your book's back cover.
How This ISBN Barcode Generator Works
This free ISBN barcode generator creates print-ready ISBN-13 barcodes that you can place directly on your book's back cover.
A barcode is required on the back of your book cover for print publication — it's how bookstores, distributors, and retailers identify and scan your book.
Enter a valid ISBN-13, optionally add a price, and download the barcode as a PNG. Then place it into your cover design software (like Canva) and position it on the back cover.
⚠️ Note: Some printing presses require the barcode in a specific spot. Check your printer's guidelines for placement.
This tool only generates barcodes. It does not issue ISBNs. Get your ISBN from your national ISBN agency.
What Makes This the Best for Authors
Truly Free
No email, no hidden fees, no surprises.
Made for Authors
Designed specifically for self-published authors.
No Tricks
No upsells, no email collection.
When Do You Need an ISBN Barcode
You Need a Barcode If:
- ✓You are publishing a print book (paperback or hardcover)
- ✓Your book will be sold through bookstores or distributors
- ✓You are supplying your own ISBN
You Don't Need One If:
- —You are publishing ebooks only
- —Your book is sold exclusively online (e.g. Amazon)
- —Your platform generates the barcode automatically
If you use your own ISBN, you'll need to add the barcode to your cover design file. That's exactly what this tool provides.
Add an EAN-5 price supplement. Enter 90000 for a placeholder.
Generates a standard EAN-13 barcode at 300 DPI — ready for print.
On This Page
ISBN Barcode Pricing Options
ISBN barcodes can be generated with or without embedded pricing, depending on how and where you plan to sell your book.
Barcode Without Pricing
Use a barcode without pricing if most of your sales will be online, or if you sell books directly at events, fairs, and conferences.
Advantages
- • Change your price anytime without updating your cover
- • Smaller barcode = more space on the back cover
Disadvantage
- • Books without pricing can't easily be sold in physical bookstores
Barcode With Price Placeholder (Bookland EAN)
If you plan to sell in physical bookstores, you'll need a Bookland EAN. Using a price placeholder allows retailers to scan the barcode while setting their own price.
How to use: Enter 90000 in the price field. This tells retailers "no set price."
Barcode With an Actual Price
If you know your final price and want it visible on the book, embed it in the barcode using the right currency code.
| Country | Code | Example | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | 5 | 50699 or 6.99 | US$6.99 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 6 | 60699 | CAD$6.99 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 0 | 00699 | £6.99 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | 5 | 50699 | MX$6.99 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 4 | 40699 | €6.99 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 4 | 40699 | €6.99 |
| 🇫🇷 France | 4 | 40699 | €6.99 |
If no country code is entered, prices default to US dollars. Changing the price later may require updating your cover design.
Where to Get Your ISBN
Before you generate a barcode, you need an ISBN. Here's where to get one based on your country.
| Region | Official Agency | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Library and Archives Canada | Free | ISBN Canada |
| 🇺🇸 USA | Bowker (MyIdentifiers) | ~$125 USD | Bowker |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | INDAUTOR | Free | INDAUTOR |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | MVB / VLB | ~€91 EUR | German ISBN |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | EDISER | ~€80 EUR | EDISER |
| 🇫🇷 France | AFNIL | Free | AFNIL |
| 🌍 Other | International ISBN Agency | Varies | Find Agency |
⚠️ Important: In the USA, Bowker is the only authorized ISBN source. Avoid resellers offering cheap ISBNs — you won't be listed as the Publisher of Record. In Canada, authors must have a Canadian address to get free ISBNs.
The "Free" Route: Distributor-Owned ISBNs
Platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital offer free ISBNs to authors as part of their publishing services.
How it works: They assign one of their own ISBNs to your book. You don't pay anything for the ISBN itself.
The Catch: The ISBN is usually "locked" to that platform. If you get a free ISBN from Amazon KDP, you typically cannot use that same ISBN to sell the book on Barnes & Noble or in a local bookstore. Additionally, the publishing platform — not you — is listed as the Publisher of Record.
This is perfectly fine for many authors, especially those who publish exclusively on one platform. However, if you plan to distribute widely, purchasing your own ISBN gives you full control and flexibility.
One ISBN Per Format
eBook
Kindle, EPUB, etc.
Needs its own ISBN
Paperback
Standard print edition
Needs its own ISBN
Hardcover
Premium print edition
Needs its own ISBN
Each version of your book requires a unique ISBN. A single title can have 3-4 different ISBNs.
Need a QR code for your book?
Link readers to your Amazon page, newsletter signup, or author website with a custom QR code.
Try our free QR Code GeneratorFrequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: This tool generates ISBN barcodes based on the information you provide. It does not issue ISBNs. Publishers are responsible for ensuring their ISBNs and pricing information are correct.
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