Publishing (ISBN) Generator
Books, magazines and printed music: ISBN, ISSN, ISMN and add-ons.
ISBN-13
What is ISBN-13?Publishing (ISBN) › ISBN-13
Publishing barcodes are EAN-13 barcodes that carry book, magazine or music numbers. Bookshops, libraries and distributors scan them to find the title. The numbers come from your national ISBN, ISSN or ISMN agency, not from GS1.
Use ISBN-13 for books, adding the 5-digit price add-on if you sell through US retailers. Use ISSN for magazines and journals, with a 2-digit add-on for the issue number. Use ISMN for printed music; it always starts with 979-0.
5 barcode types in Publishing (ISBN)
Which Publishing (ISBN) barcode should I use?
| Barcode type | Allowed data | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| ISBN-13 | 978/979 + 9 digits (+ check) | Books |
| ISBN-13 + 5-digit price | ISBN + 5 digits | Books with price |
| ISMN | 979-0 + 8 digits | Printed music |
| ISSN | 8 chars + issue variant | Magazines |
| ISSN + 2-digit issue | ISSN + 2 digits | Magazine issue number |
How to Create a Barcode in 3 Steps
Choose a barcode type
Select a category on the left (e.g. Linear Codes), then the exact type like Code-128.
Enter data & customise
Type your data — we check it live and add check digits. Adjust size, font and colors.
Download or print
Get PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF or EPS, or print a full sheet of labels in one click.
Why Use QRCodeChamp Barcode Generator
125+ barcode types
Every linear, 2D, GS1, postal, healthcare and payment code.
Live validation
Friendly errors with one-click fixes and automatic check digits.
Print-ready PDF
Exact mm sizes, label sheets (Avery, A4, 4×6 thermal).
Bulk barcodes
Paste a list or generate number sequences.
Choose the Type of Barcode You Need
Not sure which barcode to use? Start with what you need it for — we’ll pick the right type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use EAN-13 or UPC-A for products sold in stores, Code-128 for shipping and inventory, GS1-128 or SSCC for pallets, ISBN for books and Data Matrix or QR codes when you need to store more data in a small space.
Yes. Every barcode you create here is free to download and use commercially, without a watermark or an account.
To sell products in retail stores you need a GS1 company prefix, so your EAN or UPC numbers are unique worldwide. For in-store or internal use you can create codes without one.
A typical EAN-13 is about 37 × 26 mm (100%). Keep bars at least 0.19 mm wide for most scanners, leave the quiet zone around the code empty and print dark bars on a light background.
Yes. Tick “One barcode per line”, paste a list or use Bulk / Sequence to create a numbered series, then download a ZIP, a multi-page PDF or a label sheet.