ISBN Generator
Generate random ISBN numbers (ISBN-10, ISBN-13)
Free Random ISBN Generator - Generate Valid ISBN-10 & ISBN-13 Numbers
Why Use Our ISBN Generator?
Generate valid ISBN numbers (International Standard Book Number) for testing, development, and educational purposes. Support for both ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 formats with proper check digit validation! 📚
Perfect for developers, librarians, publishers, and testers who need realistic ISBN numbers for book cataloging systems, library software, or e-commerce platforms.
Key Features
- 2 Formats - ISBN-10 and ISBN-13
- Valid Check Digit - Passes validation
- Bulk Generation - Up to 50 ISBNs at once
- Copy All - One-click copy
- Instant Generation - Client-side processing
- No Registration - Completely free
ISBN Formats Explained
ISBN-13
Current standard format with 13 digits. Introduced in 2007 to replace ISBN-10. Compatible with EAN-13 barcodes.
Structure: 978-0-306-40615-7
- Prefix (3 digits): 978 or 979
- Registration Group (1-5 digits): Country/language
- Registrant (varies): Publisher
- Publication (varies): Specific title
- Check Digit (1 digit): Validation
ISBN-10
Legacy format with 10 digits. Used before 2007. Still valid but being phased out.
Structure: 0-306-40615-2
- Registration Group (1-5 digits): Country/language
- Registrant (varies): Publisher
- Publication (varies): Specific title
- Check Digit (1 character): 0-9 or X
How to Generate ISBNs
- Select Type - Choose ISBN-13 (current standard) or ISBN-10 (legacy format).
- Set Count - Specify how many ISBN numbers you need (1-50).
- Generate - Click "Generate ISBN" to create valid ISBN numbers with proper check digits.
- View Results - All generated ISBNs are displayed in a clean list format.
- Copy Numbers - Use "Copy All" button to copy all ISBNs to clipboard.
Common Use Cases
Library Systems
Test library management software, cataloging systems, and book database applications.
Bookstore Platforms
Develop and test online bookstores, inventory systems, and e-commerce book platforms.
Database Seeding
Populate test databases with realistic book data for development environments.
Barcode Testing
Test barcode scanners, EAN-13 integration, and ISBN validation logic.
Publishing Systems
Test publishing workflows, metadata management, and book registration processes.
Education
Learn about ISBN structure, check digit algorithms, and book identification systems.
ISBN Check Digit Calculation
ISBN-13 (Modulo 10)
Algorithm:
- Multiply each digit by 1 or 3 (alternating, starting with 1)
- Sum all the results
- Calculate: 10 - (sum % 10)
- If result is 10, check digit is 0
Example: 978-0-306-40615-?
9×1 + 7×3 + 8×1 + 0×3 + 3×1 + 0×3 + 6×1 + 4×3 + 0×1 + 6×3 + 1×1 + 5×3 = 100
Check digit = 10 - (100 % 10) = 0 → 978-0-306-40615-0
ISBN-10 (Modulo 11)
Algorithm:
- Multiply each digit by its position (10 to 2)
- Sum all the results
- Calculate: 11 - (sum % 11)
- If result is 10, check digit is 'X'
- If result is 11, check digit is 0
Example: 0-306-40615-?
0×10 + 3×9 + 0×8 + 6×7 + 4×6 + 0×5 + 6×4 + 1×3 + 5×2 = 150
Check digit = 11 - (150 % 11) = 2 → 0-306-40615-2
ISBN Components
| Component | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix (ISBN-13 only) | Bookland identifier | 978 (Bookland), 979 (Musicland) |
| Registration Group | Country, geographic region, or language area | 0/1 (English), 2 (French), 3 (German), 5 (Russian) |
| Registrant | Publisher or imprint | Varies by publisher size |
| Publication | Specific edition of a title | Unique to each book |
| Check Digit | Error detection | 0-9 (ISBN-13), 0-9 or X (ISBN-10) |
Converting Between ISBN-10 and ISBN-13
ISBN-10 to ISBN-13:
- Add prefix "978" to the beginning
- Remove the ISBN-10 check digit
- Calculate new ISBN-13 check digit
Example:
ISBN-10: 0-306-40615-2
Add 978: 978-0-306-40615
Calculate check digit: 978-0-306-40615-7 (ISBN-13)
ISBN Facts & History
- Introduced: 1970 as ISBN-10, updated to ISBN-13 in 2007
- Managed by: International ISBN Agency (administers the system globally)
- Uniqueness: Each edition and format requires a unique ISBN (hardcover vs paperback vs ebook)
- Not Required For: Periodicals (use ISSN), music scores (use ISMN), maps
- Purchase: Publishers buy ISBN blocks from national agencies
- Barcode: ISBN-13 uses EAN-13 barcode standard with Bookland prefix
- Self-Publishing: Authors need ISBNs for distribution through major retailers
Best Practices for Testing
Do's
- Use generated ISBNs only for testing/development
- Validate check digits in your application
- Test both ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 formats
- Handle hyphens and spaces in ISBN input
- Support legacy ISBN-10 for older books
- Store ISBNs as strings (not integers)
Don'ts
- Don't use fake ISBNs for actual publishing
- Don't assume all ISBNs are 13 digits
- Don't strip leading zeros (important!)
- Don't forget the 'X' check digit in ISBN-10
- Don't use random numbers without check digit
- Don't mix ISBN with other identifiers (ASIN, EAN)
ISBN APIs & Services
Book Metadata APIs
- Google Books API: Free, comprehensive book data
- Open Library API: Free, open-source book database
- ISBNdb: Paid, detailed book information
- Goodreads API: Book ratings and reviews
ISBN Lookup Services
- WorldCat: Global library catalog
- Nielsen BookData: UK book data
- Bowker: US ISBN agency and database
- Amazon API: Book availability and pricing
/^(978|979)\d{10}$/ for ISBN-13, /^\d{9}[\dX]$/ for ISBN-10. Store both ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 versions if dealing with legacy data. For barcode scanning, ISBN-13 is embedded in EAN-13 barcodes - look for numbers starting with 978 or 979. When displaying ISBNs, format them properly with hyphens for readability. For search functionality, index both hyphenated and non-hyphenated versions. Remember that the same book content can have multiple ISBNs (hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook all need separate ISBNs). Use ISBN lookup APIs to auto-fill book metadata and cover images in your application!