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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.

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Encodes the 13-digit ISBNA 5-digit add-on can carry the priceKDP 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.

Next release checks

Publishing glossary

What an ISBN is and when your book needs one.

An ISBN is a 13-digit book identifier that retailers, libraries, and distributors use to catalog your title.Open check

Free KDP cover size calculator

Recalculate the full wrap when KDP flags your cover size.

A cover that looked fine in the preview can still be sized from the wrong page count. Rebuild the spine, bleed, and wrap from your final page count, trim, and paper type before you place cover art.Open check

Publishing glossary

Imprint: the publisher name on your book.

An imprint is the publisher brand shown on the title page, copyright page, and store listing.Open check

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.

Can I put my own barcode image on the back cover?

For KDP editions, no — KDP prints its own barcode and will overlay it during production. Adding one yourself can mark the file as a rejection. Use the generated image only for mockups, pitch decks, and marketing imagery.

What size should the barcode be on the cover?

Keep the bars around 0.5 to 0.7 inches tall after trim, positioned near the bottom-right of the back cover with a plain white quiet zone. Larger is not better; readable matters more.

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