ISBN Barcode Generator

Generate a scannable ISBN barcode (Bookland EAN-13) from an ISBN-10 or ISBN-13. Hyphens are stripped automatically, ISBN-10 numbers are converted to ISBN-13, the check digit is validated, and you can download the barcode as PNG or SVG.

Enter an ISBN-10 or ISBN-13. Hyphens and spaces are ignored. ISBN-10 is converted to ISBN-13 automatically.

Turn any ISBN into a real, scannable book barcode in your browser. Paste an ISBN-13 (the 13-digit number that starts with 978 or 979) or an older ISBN-10, with or without hyphens, and the tool cleans the input, converts ISBN-10 to ISBN-13 when needed, verifies the check digit, and draws the Bookland EAN-13 barcode with the human-readable number printed beneath it. Download it as a crisp vector SVG for print or a high-resolution PNG for the web. Nothing is uploaded - every step happens on your device.

What is an ISBN barcode?

An ISBN barcode is the barcode printed on the back cover of a book that encodes its International Standard Book Number. A modern 13-digit ISBN is itself a valid EAN-13 number that begins with the 978 or 979 'Bookland' prefix, so the barcode you see is technically an EAN-13 barcode dedicated to books. Scanners and point-of-sale systems read it exactly like any other EAN-13 product code, which is how bookshops and libraries look a title up instantly.

How to generate an ISBN barcode

You can paste either an ISBN-10 or an ISBN-13, with or without the hyphens publishers usually print. The barcode and the readable number appear as soon as the ISBN is valid.

  1. Enter your ISBN-10 or ISBN-13 - hyphens and spaces are removed for you.
  2. If you enter an ISBN-10, the tool checks its mod-11 check digit and converts it to ISBN-13.
  3. If you enter an ISBN-13, the tool confirms the 978/979 prefix and the EAN-13 check digit.
  4. Review the generated barcode and the ISBN-13 printed beneath it, then download it as SVG or PNG.

How is an ISBN-10 converted to an ISBN-13?

To convert ISBN-10 to ISBN-13, drop the old ISBN-10 check digit, keep the first nine digits, and add the 978 prefix in front to make twelve digits. A fresh check digit is then computed with the EAN-13 formula, where digits in odd positions are weighted by 1 and even positions by 3, and the last digit is whatever brings the weighted sum up to the next multiple of 10. For example, the ISBN-10 0306406152 becomes 978030640615 and the recomputed check digit gives the ISBN-13 9780306406157. This tool performs that conversion for you whenever you enter a 10-character ISBN.

Why use this ISBN barcode generator?

  • Free with no ads, sign-up, watermarks, or scan limits.
  • Accepts both ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 and ignores hyphens and spaces automatically.
  • Converts ISBN-10 to ISBN-13 and recomputes the correct EAN-13 check digit.
  • Validates the ISBN-10 mod-11 check digit and the ISBN-13 check digit before drawing.
  • Renders a real, scanner-ready Bookland EAN-13 barcode with the ISBN printed beneath.
  • Downloads as a vector SVG for sharp printing at any size, or a high-resolution PNG.
  • Runs entirely in your browser, so the ISBNs you enter are never uploaded.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between ISBN-10 and ISBN-13?

ISBN-10 is the older 10-character format used before 2007; the last character can be the letter X, which stands for the value 10 in its check digit. ISBN-13 is the current 13-digit format that adds a 978 or 979 prefix so the number doubles as an EAN-13 barcode. Every ISBN-10 maps to exactly one 978-prefixed ISBN-13, which this tool calculates automatically.

Can I paste an ISBN that has hyphens?

Yes. ISBNs are usually printed with hyphens that group the prefix, registration, and publisher elements, such as 978-0-306-40615-7. The tool strips every hyphen and space before processing, so you can copy the ISBN exactly as it appears on a book.

Why does my barcode start with 978 or 979?

Those are the 'Bookland' prefixes that the GS1 system reserves for books, turning an ISBN into a valid EAN-13 number. Older 978-prefixed numbers come from converted ISBN-10s, while 979 is a newer range used when the 978 space filled up. Both produce a standard EAN-13 barcode that any retail scanner can read.

Will this barcode actually scan at a bookstore?

Yes. Because an ISBN-13 is a valid EAN-13 code, the generated barcode follows the EAN-13 specification and scans on standard retail and library equipment. For reliable scanning, print it large enough and leave a clear quiet zone of white space on each side.

Are my ISBNs sent to a server?

No. The conversion, validation, and barcode rendering all happen on your device in the browser, so the ISBNs you enter are never uploaded to or stored on any server.