Do You Need an ISBN to Self-Publish? Explained Simply

No, you do not need an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) to self-publish a book – but whether you should get one depends on your publishing goals.

If you’re planning to sell only through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), you can publish without ever purchasing your own ISBN.

However, if you want your book available in bookstores, libraries, or via multiple retailers, an ISBN is often essential.

An ISBN is a unique 13-digit number used to identify books. It’s like a fingerprint that helps publishers, retailers, and libraries track and order books more efficiently. Each version of a book (hardcover, paperback, eBook, audiobook) requires its own ISBN.

The ISBN links your book to metadata: title, author, edition, publisher, format, price – everything a distributor or retailer needs to catalog and sell it correctly. It also affects how your book appears in global databases like Bowker’s Books In Print or Nielsen in the UK.

When You Do Not Need an ISBN

You can skip the ISBN if:

• You’re using Amazon KDP exclusively. Amazon assigns a free ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) to all Kindle eBooks, and a free ISBN to paperbacks if you want one. But note: this ISBN lists Amazon (or “Independently published”) as the publisher – not you.
• You’re selling digital books directly through your website or via services like Gumroad, Patreon, or Substack. In these cases, ISBNs aren’t required.
• You’re not trying to get your book into libraries or physical bookstores.

In essence, if you only care about digital sales through one platform and you’re not aiming for wide distribution, then an ISBN is optional.

When You Should Have an ISBN

1. You plan to sell your book on multiple platforms. For example, if you want your book on Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and others, you’ll usually need an ISBN.
2. You’re printing physical books through a service like IngramSpark. Ingram requires your own ISBN and is widely used for bookstore and library distribution.
3. You want to be recognized as the official publisher. A free ISBN from Amazon will list them as the publisher. Buying your own gives you full publishing control.
4. You want full metadata control. When you own the ISBN, you control how your book appears in databases – crucial for discoverability.

ISBN or Not?

Where to Get an ISBN

If you decide to self-publish with your own ISBN, you’ll need to buy it from an official agency. In most countries, there’s only one authorized ISBN provider:

Cost of ISBNs (U.S. Example via Bowker)

Buying a single ISBN is expensive. If you’re planning multiple books or formats, getting a block of 10 or 100 saves money.

ISBN and Format Versions

Each format of your book needs its own ISBN:

So if you’re releasing a paperback, a hardcover, and an EPUB version, you need 3 separate ISBNs – unless you’re using platform-specific free options.

Pros and Cons of Using Your Own ISBN

What About Barcodes?

Barcodes are essential for selling printed books in physical retail environments, libraries, and even some online platforms.

They allow point-of-sale systems to quickly scan and retrieve the book’s pricing and catalog information. A barcode is not the same thing as an ISBN, but it’s directly linked to it.

A typical book barcode is based on the EAN-13 standard and encodes the 13-digit ISBN, sometimes with an optional 5-digit add-on to include the suggested retail price.

If you’re publishing a paperback or hardcover, your book must have this barcode printed on the back cover – whether you’re printing through Amazon, IngramSpark, or a local print shop.

How Barcodes Work

A book barcode includes:

Example

Barcode Options by Platform

Let’s look at what each major print-on-demand or publishing platform does regarding barcodes:

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

• Free ISBN: If you use KDP’s free ISBN, Amazon will automatically place a barcode on the lower-right corner of your paperback’s back cover.
• Custom ISBN: If you supply your own ISBN, KDP still generates and applies the barcode automatically.
• Important: You must leave the lower-right area of the back cover blank in your uploaded cover PDF so KDP can place the barcode.
• No price encoding: KDP barcodes do not include a price add-on (they default to 90000).

IngramSpark

• If you’re using your own ISBN, IngramSpark allows two options:
  1. Upload your own cover with barcode already included (ideal if you want custom placement or a price-based barcode).
  2. Let IngramSpark place the barcode automatically in the standard location (lower-right back cover), like Amazon does.
• Retail price optional: You can include a 5-digit price code in your barcode if you generate it yourself.
• Recommendation: If you’re aiming for professional bookstore distribution, use a barcode that includes the price.

Print Shops and Independent Publishers

• If you’re printing locally or through a small-scale printer, you’ll typically be responsible for adding the barcode yourself in the cover design.
• Many printers require the barcode to be embedded in the artwork before printing.
• It’s essential to ensure the barcode meets the minimum print size and contrast standards (usually 1.5″ x 1″ minimum, black on white background).

How to Create Your Own Barcode (DIY Method)

If you need to generate a barcode manually – for example, for a local printer, or if you want full control over barcode placement and design – you can use one of several free or low-cost tools:

Barcode Placement Guidelines

Final Thoughts

@writersonline_ Ready to take control of your publishing journey? Here’s why you should own your own ISBN! 🎯 From boosting your flexibility to opening doors to libraries and bookstores, it’s YOUR book, YOUR name, YOUR rules. 💪 Follow us for more expert tips to help your story shine! #Writing #selfpublishing #publishing #isbn #writer #author #writingcommunity #creativewriting #writingmagazine #books #ebook #writingadvice #fiction #tips #writinginspiration #writersoftiktok #booktok ♬ original sound – Writers Online

Barcodes are non-negotiable for printed books if you plan to distribute through professional or retail channels. The good news is that most self-publishing platforms automate this for you – especially if you’re only working with Amazon KDP.

However, if you’re building a brand, printing in bulk, or using your own ISBN, learning to generate and place your own barcode properly gives you a professional edge.

Let me know if you’d like a visual template or barcode placement guide tailored for KDP or IngramSpark.