Publishing glossary
Publishing glossary
ISBN barcode: the EAN-13 code on the back cover.
The ISBN barcode is the EAN-13 symbol printed on the back cover that retailers scan at sale.
Checked:
✓Encodes the 13-digit ISBN✓A 5-digit add-on can carry the price✓KDP places it on print covers automatically
What the barcode encodes
The barcode starts with 978 or 979 and encodes the ISBN's digits. A second 5-digit block can encode a suggested retail price.
- Keep a white barcode box for contrast
- Do not draw your own bars
- Leave room for the barcode on the back
Barcode on the KDP cover
KDP adds the barcode to paperback covers from your ISBN metadata. The cover file itself only needs the safe area where it will sit.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to add my own barcode to the cover?
No. KDP places the ISBN barcode automatically from your metadata. Reserve the space instead.
Is the ISBN barcode the same as the ISBN?
The barcode is the machine-readable form of the ISBN. The human-readable digits sit beneath the bars.
Put the definition to work for free.
Run your manuscript through the matching free check and see how the term applies to your own book.