What is EAN-13 for Books (ISBN)?
Books sold through retail carry a Bookland EAN-13 barcode built from the ISBN. An ISBN-13 starting with 978 or 979 is essentially the EAN-13, so you can generate the book barcode directly from the ISBN. Bookstores and online sellers scan this EAN-13 to identify the title at checkout and in stock systems.
Common Uses for EAN-13 for Books (ISBN)
- ISBN barcodes for book covers and back covers
- Barcodes for self-published and print-on-demand titles
- Retail and library stock barcodes
- Back-cover Bookland EAN for distributors
Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an ISBN barcode the same as EAN-13?
Yes. Modern ISBN-13 numbers begin with 978 or 979, which is the Bookland EAN prefix, so the ISBN is directly encoded as an EAN-13 barcode.
Where is the barcode placed on a book?
On the back cover, usually in the bottom-right corner in a white rectangle, so scanners and retail systems can read it.
Can I generate a barcode from my ISBN?
Yes, enter your 13-digit ISBN (or 10-digit, we convert format guidance in the FAQ) and the EAN-13 barcode is generated instantly.
Can I generate ISBN barcodes for multiple books?
Yes, list each book's ISBN on its own line and generate a full sheet of book barcodes.
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