ISBN Hyphenator & Converter
Convert between 10-digit ISBN, 13-digit EAN, and GTIN formats, with accurate international hyphenation.
What is an ISBN?
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique numeric commercial book identifier. An ISBN is assigned to each separate edition and variation of a publication (except reprintings). A paperback, hardcover, and eBook edition of the same work will each receive their own unique ISBN.
10-Digit vs. 13-Digit ISBN (EAN)
Initial ISBN standards were established in 1970 based on 9-digit Standard Book Numbering (SBN) from 1966. On January 1, 2007, the International ISBN Agency transitioned all new book numbering to a 13-digit format (prefixed with 978 or 979) to align with global EAN-13 barcodes.
How Hyphenation Works
An official ISBN consists of 5 distinct element parts separated by hyphens:
- Prefix Element: Currently 978 or 979.
- Registration Group: Identifies the country, geographic region, or language area (e.g., 0 and 1 for English-speaking countries).
- Registrant Element: Identifies the specific publisher or imprint.
- Publication Element: Identifies the specific title and format.
- Check Digit: The final mathematical validation checksum digit (0–9 or X in 10-digit ISBNs).