Free ISBN Barcode Generator

Make an ISBN barcode in seconds. Type your number, adjust the size and text, then download a print-ready PNG, JPG, SVG or PDF.

  • 100% free, no limits
  • No sign-up or watermark
  • Commercial use OK
  • Private: made in your browser
Barcode

Digits in ISBN format with hyphens. 13 digits with hyphens (ISBN-13), or a 10-digit ISBN

Text
Size

Narrowest bar. Bigger is easier to scan.

Quiet zone scanners need.

Style

Tip: bookmark this page (Ctrl+D or ⌘+D) to come back any time. Your settings are remembered.

Choose a barcode type

Not sure which one you need? Products sold in shops need UPC-A (US and Canada) or EAN-13 (everywhere else). For your own labels and asset tags, use Code 128. For anything people scan with a phone, use a QR code.

General purpose and shipping

Retail

2D

Publishing

What is an ISBN barcode?

An ISBN barcode is an EAN-13 for books, with the ISBN printed above it. Bookshops, libraries and distributors scan it at every step from the printer to the till.

Common uses

  • Printed books and e-book listings
  • Back covers of paperbacks and hardbacks

ISBN at a glance

Characters
Digits in ISBN format with hyphens
Length
13 digits with hyphens (ISBN-13), or a 10-digit ISBN
Check digit
Verified automatically
Example
978-1-56581-231-4
Default size
0.33 mm bar width, 22.85 mm bar height

How to make an ISBN barcode

  1. Pick the type

    Choose the barcode type your scanner, retailer or label needs. The generator opens on ISBN.

  2. Enter your data

    Type the number or text. Check digits are added for you, and mistakes are explained as you type.

  3. Adjust the look

    Set the size in millimetres, show or hide the number, add a title or note, and pick colours.

  4. Download or print

    Save a PNG, JPG, SVG or PDF, copy the image, or print at true size. Use bulk mode for label sheets.

Barcode types compared

Type Encodes Length Best for
Code 128 All 128 ASCII characters, including letters, digits and punctuation Variable. Keep it under about 40 characters so the barcode stays scannable. Asset tags and equipment labels; Warehouse bins, shelves and locations
UPC-A Digits only 11 digits, or 12 with the check digit Products sold in US and Canadian retail stores; Amazon, Walmart and other marketplace listings
EAN-13 Digits only 12 digits, or 13 with the check digit Retail products sold internationally; Books (as ISBN, which is an EAN-13 starting with 978 or 979)
QR Code Any text, URLs, numbers and Unicode, including emoji Up to 4,296 letters or 7,089 digits. Shorter content gives a smaller, easier-to-scan code. Links to websites, menus and forms; Product packaging and marketing material
Code 39 Uppercase A to Z, digits 0 to 9, and - . $ / + % and space Variable Automotive industry (AIAG) labels; US Department of Defense (LOGMARS) labels
EAN-8 Digits only 7 digits, or 8 with the check digit Small retail packages outside North America; Lipsticks, sweets and other small items
UPC-E Digits only, starting with 0 or 1 7 digits, or 8 with the check digit Small US and Canadian retail packages; Cans, bottles and other curved surfaces
ITF-14 Digits only 13 digits, or 14 with the check digit Outer cartons and cases of retail products; Pallet and case-level inventory in warehouses
GS1-128 GS1 application identifiers in brackets, each followed by its data Up to 48 characters of data Pallet labels with SSCC (00); Batch, lot and expiry dates on food and medicine
Data Matrix Any text and binary data Up to 2,335 letters or 3,116 digits Direct part marking on tools and components; Electronics and circuit boards
PDF417 Any text and binary data Up to about 1,850 characters ID cards and driver's licences; Airline boarding passes
ISBN Digits in ISBN format with hyphens 13 digits with hyphens (ISBN-13), or a 10-digit ISBN Printed books and e-book listings; Back covers of paperbacks and hardbacks
Code 93 Uppercase A to Z, digits 0 to 9, and - . $ / + % and space Variable Canada Post labels; Electronic components and logistics
Codabar Digits 0 to 9 and - $ : / . +, between start and stop letters A, B, C or D Variable Library books and cards; Blood bags and lab samples
Interleaved 2 of 5 Digits only An even number of digits Warehouse and distribution labels; Numbered cartons and tickets
Aztec Code Any text and binary data Up to 3,067 letters or 3,832 digits Train and airline mobile tickets; Patient wristbands

Tips for barcodes that always scan

  • Print at 100% scale. Turn off "fit to page" in the print dialog so the size on paper matches the size you set.
  • Keep the white margin. Scanners need a quiet zone around the bars. Leave the margin at the default or larger.
  • Use dark bars on a light background. Black on white is safest. Red bars and dark backgrounds often fail.
  • Do not go too small. Retail codes should stay above 80% of nominal size (0.264 mm bar width). Thermal label printers need at least 0.25 mm at 203 DPI.
  • Use vector files for packaging. SVG and PDF stay sharp at any size; send them to your designer or printer.

Printing barcodes for your fleet or equipment?

Spindle turns barcode and QR labels into a live view of your operation. Staff scan vehicles and assets from their phone, every scan is logged with time and location, and you see where everything is in real time.

See Spindle asset tracking

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to type the hyphens?

Yes. Type the ISBN as issued, with hyphens, such as 978-1-56581-231-4. The hyphens show where the group, publisher and title parts are, and they are printed above the bars.

Can I add the price to the barcode?

The 5-digit price add-on is not supported yet. Print the ISBN barcode and add the price separately.

Is this barcode generator really free?

Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark, no limit and no paid tier. Generate and download as many barcodes as you need, including for commercial use.

Are my barcodes private?

Barcodes are made in your browser. The text you encode is never sent to our servers, so the tool also works offline once the page has loaded.

Which file format should I download?

Use PDF or SVG for professional printing and packaging, because they stay sharp at any size. Use PNG for labels, documents and websites, and JPG only when a system will not accept PNG.

Can I make many barcodes at once?

Yes. Switch to bulk mode, paste one value per line or generate a numbered sequence, and print them as a sheet of labels or download a single PDF.

How do I print barcodes at the right size?

Set the bar width in millimetres and download the PDF, or use the print button. Print at 100% scale (turn off "fit to page") so the size on paper matches the size you chose.

Why will my barcode not scan?

The usual causes are bars that are too thin for the printer, low contrast (use dark bars on a light background), a missing white margin around the code, or the wrong type for the scanner. Try a larger bar width and the default black on white.