ISBN Allocation
A unique ISBN for each format of your book, allocated and validated before your files go to print or retail.
Worldwide distribution to 150+ countries · Authors keep 100% royalty · Free manuscript evaluation
ISBN & Metadata
ISBN Services for Authors & PublishersPublishers
A finished manuscript still needs to be identified, described and prepared before readers can find it. InkTide takes care of ISBN allocation, barcodes, copyright pages and retailer-ready metadata, so your book is listed correctly wherever it's sold.
Free manuscript evaluation 100% rights retained Distribution in 150+ countries
Why It Matters
Great Books Get Lost Without the Right Details.
Retailers, libraries and distributors don't read your manuscript to decide where it belongs. They read its ISBN and metadata: the title, author, format, category, keywords and description attached to it.
When those details are missing or inconsistent, books end up in the wrong category, buried in search results, or turned away by sales channels altogether.
Our goal is simple: make the technical side of publishing easier for authors, so your book is ready for professional publication from day one.
Found in Search
Accurate keywords and subject categories help readers find your book on retailer sites and search engines.
Accepted by Retailers
Online stores, distributors and libraries expect a valid ISBN and complete metadata before they list a title.
Consistent Everywhere
One accurate record means the same title, price and description across every channel your book reaches.
ISBN Explained
Thirteen Digits. Five Jobs.
Since 2007, every ISBN (International Standard Book Number) has 13 digits. Each part tells the book trade something specific about your book. Select a part to see what it does.
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978
Prefix
Marks the product as a book. ISBNs begin with 978 or 979, which fits them into the same barcode system retailers use worldwide.
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93
Registration group
Identifies the country or language area of the issuing ISBN agency. India's groups are 81 and 93.
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12345
Registrant
Identifies the publisher or imprint the ISBN was issued to.
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67
Publication
Identifies one specific edition and format of one specific title.
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2
Check digit
Calculated from the other twelve digits to catch typing errors. Change any digit and it no longer matches.
Sample ISBN for illustration. The length of the registrant and publication parts varies from publisher to publisher.
Free Tool
Check an ISBN in Seconds.
Paste any ISBN-10 or ISBN-13 to confirm its check digit, convert between formats and preview the EAN-13 barcode that goes on a back cover.
- Validates the check digit for ISBN-10 and ISBN-13
- Converts older 10-digit ISBNs to 13 digits
- Draws a scannable-style barcode preview
Your result and barcode preview will appear here.
This tool checks an ISBN's structure only. It doesn't confirm who the ISBN is registered to or whether it has been assigned.
What We Handle
Everything Your Book Needs to Be Catalogued Correctly.
From the number on the back cover to the categories retailers file your book under, we prepare every detail and check it before your book goes live.
EAN-13 Barcode
A print-ready barcode generated from your ISBN and placed on the back cover at the correct size for retail scanners.
Copyright Page
A professionally set copyright page with your copyright notice, edition details, ISBNs, publisher information and any disclaimers.
Metadata Preparation
Title, subtitle, contributors, series, language, page count, trim size and publication date, recorded accurately and consistently.
Categories & Keywords
BISAC and Thema subject categories plus keywords chosen to match how readers actually search for books like yours.
Description & Author Bio
Help shaping a clear, retail-ready book description and author biography that tell readers why your book is for them.
Copyright Guidance
Clear information on how copyright applies to your book and what formal registration involves, so you can decide what's right for you.
Publishing Requirements
Guidance on the technical standards your channels expect, and on keeping your record accurate when prices or editions change.
One Book, Several ISBNs
When Does Your Book Need a New ISBN?
An ISBN identifies one edition of your book in one format. Here's how the most common changes are treated, so there are no surprises when you plan a new format or edition.
Needs its own ISBN
Each of these is a separate product for retailers- Paperback, hardcover and eBookEvery format gets its own number, even with identical text.
- AudiobookAudio editions are identified separately from print and digital.
- A revised or expanded editionSubstantial changes to the content make it a new edition.
- A translationEach language edition is its own book.
- A new title or a new publisherRetitling a book or moving it to another publisher calls for a new ISBN.
Keeps the same ISBN
The product itself hasn't changed- A straight reprintPrinting more copies of the same edition.
- Minor correctionsFixing typos or small errors without changing the content.
- A price changeUpdate the price in the metadata; the ISBN stays.
- A refreshed cover designA new look for the same edition doesn't need a new number.
How It Works
From Manuscript to Market-Ready Record.
A clear, step-by-step process with your publishing consultant beside you. You'll always know what happens next.
Share Your Book Details
Tell us about your book, the formats you're publishing and who it's for. Your consultant gathers everything we need.
ISBN Allocation
We allocate an ISBN for each format and validate every number before it's used anywhere.
Metadata Drafting
We prepare categories, keywords, descriptions and every technical detail your listings need.
- Your call
Review & Approval
Nothing is finalised until you've checked the record and approved it. Your book, your decision.
Barcode & Copyright Page
We generate the barcode for your back cover and set the copyright page in your final print and digital files.
Ready for Distribution
Your book's details are prepared for the retail and distribution channels in your publishing plan.
Author-First, Always
Your manuscript remains yours.
Your copyright remains yours.
Your publishing decisions remain yours.
An ISBN identifies your book. It doesn't transfer ownership of it. Allocating an ISBN never changes who owns your copyright or your royalties.
We explain every detail before it's finalised, in plain language, so you're never signing off on something you don't understand.
ISBN & Metadata FAQs
Your Questions, Answered.
Still unsure about ISBNs, barcodes or copyright? A publishing consultant will walk you through it, free and with no obligation.
Ask a ConsultantWhat is an ISBN, and do I need one?
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique 13-digit number that identifies one edition of a book in one format. Most retailers, distributors and libraries require one before they will list and sell a book, so if you want your book available widely, you need one.
Does an ISBN give me copyright?
No. ISBNs and copyright are separate. Copyright belongs to the author from the moment the work is created, while an ISBN simply identifies the book for the trade. Having an ISBN never changes who owns your work.
Do I need separate ISBNs for my paperback and eBook?
Yes. Each format (paperback, hardcover, eBook or audiobook) needs its own ISBN so retailers and libraries can tell them apart. Your consultant will confirm which formats are covered in your plan.
Is ISBN support included in my publishing plan?
ISBN support is part of InkTide's Self Publishing Plan, alongside editing, cover design, formatting and distribution. If you only need ISBN and metadata support, your publishing consultant will share an itemised quote first, with no hidden fees.
How much does an ISBN cost?
It depends on the country of the issuing agency. In India, ISBNs are issued free of charge by the Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBN under the Ministry of Education. Agencies in some other countries, such as Bowker in the United States, charge a fee.
Should I register my copyright formally?
Copyright protection is automatic, but formal registration with your country's copyright office creates an official record that can be valuable as evidence if your work is ever copied. We explain what registration involves so you can decide whether it's right for your book.
What is book metadata, and why does it matter?
Metadata is everything that describes your book to the trade: title, author, ISBN, format, subject categories, keywords, description, price and more. Accurate, complete metadata helps your book appear in the right searches and categories, and keeps it consistent across every store.
What are BISAC and Thema codes?
Both are subject classification systems that tell retailers where to shelve your book. BISAC is widely used by North American retailers, and Thema is an international standard used by many retailers worldwide. We select codes from the systems your distribution channels use.
Pairs Well With
The Services Around Your ISBN.
Ready to Make Your Book Discoverable?
Tell us about your book and a publishing consultant will get back to you within one business day.
Free manuscript evaluation · No hidden fees · Dedicated publishing consultant