Steps to Obtain an ISBN in the United States:

ISBNs are a unique identifier for books. They are required for books that are sold commercially.

In the United States, the ISBN system is managed by Bowker. This means that you will need to create an account with Bowker to obtain an ISBN. The pricing structure highly depends on the number of ISBNs you need, and incentivizes you to purchase a large number (at least 10).

If purchasing an ISBN yourself is cost-prohibitive (or even if it is not), you can reach out to Decentered to help! We may be able to help you obtain an ISBN at a lower cost.

For details on this history of ISBNs, see Wikipedia's article on ISBNs.

You may be interested to learn how to make a book rather than register an ISBN, so we have a guide for that as well!

1. Create an Account with Bowker

Visit Bowker's MyIdentifiers website. Click on "Create an Account" and provide the necessary information to set up your profile.

2. Purchase ISBNs

After logging in, navigate to the "Buy ISBNs" section. Bowker offers various packages:

• 1 ISBN: $125
• 10 ISBNs: $295
• 100 ISBNs: $575

More details on ISBN pricing.

3. Assign ISBNs to Your Book

Once purchased, go to "My Account" and select "My Identifiers." Choose an ISBN and click on "Assign Title." Fill in the required details about your book, such as title, author, format, and publication date.

4. Obtain a Barcode (if needed)

For physical books, a barcode is necessary for retail sales. You can purchase one from Bowker or other sources. Learn about barcodes.