Do you need an ISBN for KDP?

Which KDP formats need an ISBN?

For print books you choose between a free ISBN from KDP and one you buy yourself. Kindle ebooks and low-content books can go without.

What is the free KDP ISBN?

KDP can assign a free ISBN to your paperback or hardcover. It comes with two limits:

• The imprint shows as Independently published, not your own publisher name.
• Free KDP ISBNs can only be used on KDP. They cannot be used to publish outside of KDP.

If you only sell on Amazon and don't mind the imprint, the free ISBN is enough.

When should you buy your own ISBN?

• You want to publish the same edition outside KDP, for example with IngramSpark for bookstores and libraries.
• You want your own imprint name on the book's listing.

When you use your own ISBN, KDP checks it against the agency record. Enter the same title, author and publisher that you used to register it, and an imprint that matches the agency record. The imprint field allows up to 100 characters. The imprint field is case-sensitive; even extra spaces at the end cause a mismatch.

Does each format need its own ISBN?

Yes. Each format needs its own ISBN, and a new edition with significant changes needs a new one. A paperback and a hardcover of the same book have two ISBNs. An ebook with an ISBN has a third.

What does an ISBN look like?

ISBNs have been 13 digits since 1 January 2007. Every ISBN-13 starts with 978 or 979. Older books may carry a 10-digit ISBN, which converts to an ISBN-13 starting with 978.

A 979 ISBN has no 10-digit equivalent. Converting one would create a duplicate. The ISBN converter converts in both directions and checks the check digit.

Where does the ISBN go on the book?

• The copyright page lists the ISBN for each format. The copyright page generator lays them out for you.
• The back cover carries it as a barcode. KDP places it in the lower right of the back cover (lower left for right-to-left books). KDP suggests a barcode area of 2 x 1.2 in, at least 1.4 x 0.8 in, placed at least 0.25 in from the spine and the trim.

Make a print-ready barcode with the ISBN barcode generator.