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International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
ISBN for eBooks
If you already have an ISBN for your eBook, you'll be able to enter it during title setup.
Important: Do not use an ISBN from a print version of your book; eBook ISBNs must be unique to eBook versions.
ISBN for paperbacks
Note: The ISBN in your paperback's interior and cover files must match the ISBN entered during title setup.
ISBN for hardcovers
An ISBN is required to publish your hardcover. All ISBNs assigned after 2007 are 13 digits. You can choose to use a free ISBN from KDP or to provide your own. The free ISBN from KDP can only be used on KDP for distribution to Amazon and its distributors. It cannot be used with another publisher or self-publishing service. If you use your own ISBN to publish your hardcover, you can use that ISBN to publish your book elsewhere.Note: If you have an existing paperback, you'll need a unique ISBN for the hardcover edition of your book.
How to get a free ISBN from KDP
- Sign in: http://kdp.amazon.com.
- On your Bookshelf, next to the book you want to update, click the ellipsis ("…") under Paperback or Hardcover Actions.
- Select Edit Paperback Content or Edit Hardcover Content.
- In the Print ISBN section, select Get a free KDP ISBN.
- Click Assign me a free KDP ISBN.
How to use your own ISBN
To use your own ISBN:
- Sign in: http://kdp.amazon.com.
- On your Bookshelf, next to the book you want to update, click the ellipsis ("…") under Paperback or Hardcover Actions.
- Select Edit Paperback Content or Edit Hardcover Content
- In the Print ISBN section, select Use my own ISBN.
- Enter your own ISBN and Imprint in the fields provided.
What is an Imprint?
If you use your own ISBN, KDP will check whether your book's imprint matches what's on file with Bowker. You will not be able to publish your book if there is a mismatch.
Note: To prevent publishing delays, make sure to enter the correct imprint information before submitting your title. It is case-sensitive. Avoid entering placeholder information such as, “unknown,” “n/a,” “null,” etc.
If you use a free ISBN from KDP, we will automatically assign “Independently Published” to the imprint field.
Compare using KDP ISBN or your own ISBN
See the difference between the two ISBN options you have in KDP:
ISBN options |
Cost |
Publishing |
Publisher Imprint |
Publisher field in the Book’s detail page |
Requirements |
KDP Free ISBN |
Free |
Only with KDP |
Automatically registered as “Independently published” in Bowker |
It will show imprint name “Independently published”. |
We’ll register your free ISBN, so no further requirements are needed from your end. |
Your own ISBN |
You cover the cost of the ISBN |
You can publish outside of KDP |
Register your own imprint with Bowker or local ISBN agency |
It will show the imprint name you enter to publish your book. |
When entering your book’s details ensure the information you are providing matches with the information you’ve registered in Bowker. You won’t be able to publish your book if there are any mismatches between this information. |
View your ISBN
To view your registered ISBN:
- For eBooks:
- Go to your Bookshelf next to the book with the ISBN, click the ellipsis ("…") under Kindle eBook Actions.
- Select Edit eBook Content.
- Scroll down to the Kindle eBook ISBN section to see the ISBN you’ve assigned.
- For paperbacks:
- Go to your Bookshelf next to the book with the ISBN, click the ellipsis ("…") under Kindle Paperback Actions.
- Select Edit Paperback Content.
- Scroll down to the Print ISBN section to see the ISBN assigned.
- For hardcover:
- Go to your Bookshelf next to the book with the ISBN, click the ellipsis ("…") under Hardcover Actions.
- Select Edit Hardcover Content.
- Scroll to the Print ISBN section to see the ISBN assigned.
Change your ISBN
If you have an ISBN assigned to a book that was never published, you can remove the ISBN from it and use the ISBN in a new book.
To remove an ISBN from a Draft book in KDP:
- For eBooks:
- Go to your Bookshelf next to the book with the ISBN, click the ellipsis ("…") under Kindle eBook Actions.
- Select Edit eBook Content.
- Clear the ISBN field. Remember that an ISBN is not required for eBooks.
- For paperbacks:
- Go to your Bookshelf next to the book with the ISBN, click the ellipsis ("…") under Kindle Paperback Actions.
- Select Edit Paperback Content.
- Under the Print ISBN section - click on Assign me a free KDP ISBN.
- Save the change.
- Re-enter the ISBN in the book you want to use your ISBN.
- For hardcovers:
- Go to your Bookshelf next to the book with the ISBN, click the ellipsis ("…") under Hardcover Actions.
- Select Edit Hardcover Content.
- Under the Print ISBN section - click on Assign me a free KDP ISBN.
- Save the change.
- Re-enter the ISBN in the book you want to use your ISBN.
If you are reprinting your book, the title, author name, and binding type must stay the same. A new edition requires a new ISBN.
Re-using an ISBN from outside of KDP
Troubleshooting
Error message saying information doesn’t match
To fix any mismatch error:
- Go to Bowker's website. This is not an Amazon website. You will need to contact Bowker and/or myidentifiers.com if you have questions about ISBN metadata.
- Verify the imprint name, title, and author associated with your ISBN.
- Go to your Bookshelf.
- Click the ellipsis button (“…”) under Paperback Actions or Hardcover Actions next to the book you want to update.
- Click Edit Paperback Content or Edit Hardcover Content.
- Update your ISBN and imprint name options as needed. Your ISBN information must match myidentifiers.com. To ensure you are providing the most accurate information you can copy the imprint name from the myidentifiers.com website and paste it into your title setup on KDP.
- Be sure to update your interior and cover files to match any recent ISBN changes.