Q&A for How to Understand an ISBN Code

It allows for error detection when typing in an ISBN. There are a few different methods out there for different ISBN types and even things like barcodes. The check number appears last in an ISBN.

Yes, many books have a 13-digit ISBN number and a 10-digit ISBN number. Older books may even have a 9-digit ISBN number.

No, the ISBN code does not contain a genre identifier.

The publishers get a block of ISBN codes assigned to them, according to the number of books they will likely publish. Each publisher has their own system for assigning a specific number to each work.

No. The code does not include a date code. If you have a long list of ISBNs, sorting them by the registrant or publication element might roughly correspond to their publication date, but then only within a publisher's assigned block.

It's just the check number, it doesn't mean anything in particular. The check number is calculated the same way through every book and it just means that the formula got 0.

The print run number on a first edition hardback book is typically found on the copyright page (the verso of the title page). Look for a number line, such as "1 2 3 4 5," where a line starting with "1" usually indicates a first printing or edition. Some books might also state "First Edition" or "First Printing" explicitly. If these are not present, further verification through other characteristics like binding or dust jacket may be needed.

Yes, but not the first pressings of first editions. Different editions usually have different ISBNs.

To assign an ISBN to older books without one, apply for ISBNs through your country's official agency. For new editions, you can assign an ISBN to a reprinted or republished edition, which will help organize your collection. However, ISBNs are tied to editions, not subjects, so consider using a library cataloging system to organize by subject.

You can't determine the book format from the ISBN alone. Hardcovers and paperbacks have different ISBNs, but there isn't a specific "hardback number" within the ISBN itself.

The price is set by the retailer, so you can have a barcode without a retail price. The barcode is simply a way to identify the book, and the book can still be sold based on its title.

To find out who published a book using its ISBN, you can use an ISBN lookup tool like ISBN Search or WorldCat. These websites allow you to enter an ISBN and retrieve publisher information. The ISBN "978-1-36-464171-9" suggests it is published in the United States or Canada. You can also explore online platforms like Amazon, Goodreads, or Google Books, which usually display publisher details. Alternatively, you can contact the official ISBN agency in your country, for assistance.

No, an ISBN does not indicate reading level. Reading levels vary by country, but ISBNs are an international system and do not include this information.

No, an ISBN number does not indicate whether a book is fiction or nonfiction.

Mass-market and trade-sized copies of a book usually have their own separate ISBNs, but there isn't any particular part of an ISBN that specifies the format of a book.

Yes, you need a new ISBN if you add a subtitle to your book. An ISBN is assigned to a specific edition, and adding a subtitle changes the edition, requiring a new ISBN.

ISBNs do not include this information, but typically a hardback and paperback will have different ISBNs.

The ISBN itself does not indicate the edition of a book. A first edition will have a unique ISBN, but you need to research the specific ISBN for each book, as no part of the ISBN explicitly states the edition.

Softcover books have flexible, paper covers and are lightweight. Hardcover books have rigid covers, often with a dust jacket, and are durable. Loose-leaf books are unbound, hole-punched pages meant for binders.

No, ISBNs are not typically used on every manuscript page. An ISBN is assigned to a specific edition of a book for sales and distribution, not for internal use. It is typically placed on the copyright page and back cover for cataloging and selling purposes.

No, the year of publication cannot be directly determined from an ISBN code. The ISBN is a unique identifier that includes information about the book's publisher, edition, and format, but it does not encode the publication year. To find the year of publication, you would need to check the book’s copyright page, which typically lists the publication date. While ISBN databases or records might include publication years as part of their metadata, the ISBN itself does not provide this information.

The ISBN does indicate the specific edition of a book, as each edition has a unique ISBN. To be sure you are acquiring the most recent edition, check the publication year accompanying the ISBN, search the ISBN in online databases or retailers like Amazon or WorldCat, review the book description, which often states the edition, or as a last resort contact the publisher.

To identify a book's edition, check the title or copyright page for terms like "First Edition" or "Second Edition." A number line on modern books, with the lowest number as 1, indicates a first edition. Look for unique features like binding or illustrations, and compare with online listings. If unsure, ask a rare book dealer or librarian for help.

No. ISBNs are used to identify details like the book's publisher, edition, and format, but they don't include readability metrics. To determine a book's readability level, you would need to analyze its content or check if the publisher provides such details, often in descriptions or metadata.

Check the copyright page for "First Edition" or a number line with the number 1. Match the copyright year with the publication date, and look for unique features like specific covers or errors. Research the publisher’s practices or consult a rare book dealer for confirmation.

An ISBN does not indicate grade level. Check the book's description, educational sites like Scholastic, or use readability tools like Flesch-Kincaid. Librarians, teachers, or reviews may also provide grade level details.

The "N" at the end of an ISBN is not part of the official ISBN structure. ISBNs typically have 10 or 13 digits, with the last character being a number or "X" (for a checksum). If there's an "N" added, it could be a code specific to your university bookstore to track inventory or identify special editions. It's unlikely they added it to make you buy from them, but it might help them link the book to their system for ease of ordering or returns. You can compare the ISBN without the "N" to see if it matches the book’s official ISBN.

Check the copyright page for a number line like "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1." The lowest number shows the print, so "1" means first printing. Some books also state it directly, like "Second Printing." If you're unsure, research the publisher’s practices or seek expert help.

If a book has no ISBN, it may be from before 1970, privately published, or custom-printed. Use the author, title, publisher, and year to identify it. Search online or consult a library or rare book dealer for more help. It may also be found just inside the cover, or on the cataloging details page of the book.

Before 1970 publishers reused ISBNs for multiple formats, added them retroactively, or had printing errors. Reprints might also reuse the same ISBN despite changes, which is usually not a mistake but a result of older practices.