Free ISBN Barcode Generator
Enter your ISBN and get a print-ready book barcode for the back cover. This ISBN barcode generator outputs vector SVG for KDP, IngramSpark and your printer — free.
Choose a barcode format
Enter the data
Adjust the appearance
Preview your barcode
Shown on a product label
Overview
What does an ISBN barcode generator do?
An ISBN barcode generator converts your book’s ISBN-13 into the barcode that bookstores, distributors and libraries scan. Books use the EAN-13 symbology, so the 978 or 979 ISBN becomes the bars, and the ISBN itself is printed in readable form above the code. Retail systems look the number up to find title, price and publisher.
The barcode is not the ISBN: you must first get an ISBN from your national agency (Bowker in the US, Nielsen in the UK) or from your publishing platform. Once you have it, the generator creates the image in seconds. Use the SVG for cover design tools so the bars stay perfectly sharp when the cover is printed.
Each edition of a book needs its own number and its own code, because stores track hardcover and paperback separately. Keep the ISBN text above the bars exactly as the agency issued it, with hyphens, since many retailers check that line by eye.
Use cases
Who needs a book barcode
Any printed book sold through stores or distributors needs one on the back cover.
Self-publishing authors
Add the barcode to covers you design yourself for KDP print, IngramSpark or local printers.
Small presses
Generate barcodes for every title and edition without paying per code.
Cover designers
Drop a vector barcode into the cover layout at the exact size the printer asks for.
Bookshops and libraries
Recreate damaged or missing barcodes for stock and cataloguing.
Magazines and journals
Periodicals use ISSN numbers in the same EAN-13 format with a 977 prefix.
Schools and workbooks
Course books and workbooks sold through bookstores need the same barcode.
How it works
How to create an ISBN barcode
You need an ISBN-13 that is registered to your book. The ISBN barcode generator does the rest.
- 1
Get your ISBN
Buy or receive an ISBN from your national agency or publishing platform. Each format — paperback, hardcover — needs its own.
- 2
Enter it with hyphens
Type the ISBN-13, for example 978-1-56581-231-4. The generator checks the digits and prints the ISBN above the bars.
- 3
Download for your cover
Download SVG for cover design software or a large PNG. Place it on the back cover with a white background.
Best practices
Cover barcode tips
Printers reject covers with barcodes that are too small or low contrast.
Keep it black on white
Even on a colorful cover, place the barcode on a white box. Colored bars often fail at the checkout.
Follow the printer’s size
The standard size is about 37 × 26 mm. Do not shrink it below 80% of that size.
Add a price add-on if needed
US bookstores sometimes expect a 5-digit price add-on next to the barcode. Check your distributor’s requirements.
One ISBN per format
Paperback, hardcover, large print and audio editions each need their own ISBN and barcode. Run each number through the ISBN barcode generator separately and label the files clearly.
Keep the cover file vector
Export the cover as PDF with the SVG barcode embedded. Rasterising the cover at low resolution is the most common reason printers reject a barcode.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I get an ISBN barcode for free?
- If you already have an ISBN, use the ISBN barcode generator above: enter the number and download the barcode for free. The ISBN itself is free in some countries and paid in others.
Do I need a barcode with my ISBN?
- For books sold in physical stores or through distributors, yes. Online-only and e-book editions do not need a printed barcode.
Do I need to buy a barcode with my ISBN?
- No. Agencies like Bowker sell barcodes as an add-on, but the barcode is just a drawing of your ISBN. You can create it here for free.
Does an ISBN come with a barcode?
- Usually not. You receive the number; the barcode is a separate image created from it. Some platforms add it to the cover automatically.
How do I convert an ISBN number into a barcode?
- Enter the 13-digit ISBN with or without hyphens. The generator encodes it as EAN-13 and prints the ISBN text above the bars.
Can I use an ISBN-10?
- Barcodes require ISBN-13. Convert an ISBN-10 by adding 978 in front and recalculating the last digit, or use the ISBN-13 shown in your agency account.
Does KDP need my own barcode?
- KDP can add a barcode for you if you leave space on the cover. If you design the full cover yourself, you can place your own barcode instead.
What size should a book barcode be?
- The nominal size is about 37.3 × 25.9 mm including text. Printers usually accept 80–200% of that size, as long as the bars are not cut.
Is an ISBN barcode the same as EAN-13?
- Yes. The ISBN-13 is a valid EAN-13 number starting with 978 or 979, so it uses the same bars. The only difference is the ISBN text printed above.
Can I add a price to the barcode?
- Price add-ons (EAN-5) are optional and mostly used in the US. Many publishers leave them out or use 90000 for “no suggested price”.
Do e-books need a barcode?
- No. E-books need an ISBN only for some stores, and never a barcode, because nothing is scanned at a till.
Is this ISBN barcode generator really free?
- Yes. Unlimited barcodes, PNG and SVG, no watermark and no account needed.
Can I use the ISBN barcode generator for IngramSpark?
- Yes. IngramSpark accepts your own barcode on the cover template. Create it with the ISBN barcode generator, download the SVG and place it in the barcode box of the template.
How do I create an ISBN book barcode on a Mac or PC?
- Open this page in any browser, enter the ISBN and download. Nothing is installed, so it works the same on Mac, Windows, Linux and tablets.