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 ISBN for an e-book does not indicate the type of license (single-user, multi-user, or unlimited). Licensing details are usually specified in the license agreement or provided by the vendor. To determine access limits, check the platform or publisher’s information or contact them directly for clarification.

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.

You can find the number of pages in a book using its ISBN by searching for the book on an online platform like Google Books.

These letters indicate these books' formats - hardback, trade paperback (which is larger and higher quality than mass-market paperbacks), and e-book.

The ISBN 0-06-011592-0 corresponds to the fourth edition of "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham, published by Harper & Row in 1973. This edition is considered a classic in investment literature and is often preferred for its updates to Graham's teachings on value investing. To assess its value or rarity, check the book's condition and whether it is a first or later printing of that edition.

No part of the ISBN contains information about the number of copies of a book.

No, libraries and bookstores organize books based on their own systems and preferences.

This is the "price code," which is a way for publishers to provide retailers with a recommended retail price.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes. Each format, such as paperback, hardcover, trade, or library edition, typically has its own unique ISBN.

According to ISBN's website, each new edition of a previous book is considered a new book and will get its own ISBN.

Not always. The ISBN is tied to a specific edition of the book by a specific publisher. Usually, there is only one cover for any given edition of a book. However, sometimes one edition of the book will have multiple covers.

In most cases, a barcode does not provide information concerning where a product was purchased. The most common bar code is the UPC code, found on all packaged goods at grocery stores. It only identifies the product (first five digits) and the company (second five digits).

No, the ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number, it’s international.