Do you need an ISBN in the UK? A plain-English guide
Do you need an ISBN to publish a book in the UK? When you need one, where UK authors get them, free Amazon ISBNs versus your own, and legal deposit.
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique 13-digit number that identifies one edition of one book. You need one to sell a printed book through most shops and distributors. You do not always need one for an ebook.
When you need an ISBN
- Paperbacks and hardbacks sold through bookshops, wholesalers or online retailers: yes.
- Kindle ebooks sold only on Amazon: no. Amazon assigns its own identifier.
- Books printed privately for family and friends, and never sold: no.
Each format needs its own ISBN. A paperback, a hardback and an ebook of the same book need three different numbers. A new edition with significant changes needs a new ISBN too; a corrected reprint usually does not.
Where UK authors get ISBNs
In the UK, ISBNs are issued by Nielsen, the official UK ISBN agency. You can buy a single ISBN or a block of ten or more. Blocks work out much cheaper per number, which matters if you plan several formats or several books. Check Nielsen’s current prices before you buy, as they change from time to time.
Be cautious of third parties reselling single ISBNs. The number may be registered to them as publisher rather than to you.
Free ISBNs from Amazon KDP
Amazon KDP offers a free ISBN for paperbacks and hardbacks. It is perfectly usable, with two catches:
- The book will list “Independently published” as the publisher, rather than your own imprint name.
- The ISBN can only be used for that edition on KDP. If you later publish the same edition through another platform, you will need a different number.
For a family memoir or a first book sold mainly on Amazon, the free ISBN is often fine. For a business book or a long-term author career, owning your ISBNs gives you more control.
Legal deposit
Under UK law, publishers must send one copy of every printed book they publish in the UK to the British Library within one month of publication. If you self-publish, that obligation is yours. The other legal deposit libraries can also request a copy.
It costs you a book and some postage, and it means your work is preserved in the national collection.
Barcodes
The barcode on the back of a printed book encodes the ISBN. Amazon KDP generates it automatically on your cover. If you print elsewhere, your cover designer can add it.
Quick checklist
- Decide which formats you will publish.
- Choose between your own ISBNs and free platform ISBNs.
- Assign one ISBN per format.
- Add your ISBN to the copyright page.
- Send a copy to the British Library within a month of publication.
If you would rather not deal with any of this, our Amazon KDP service handles ISBNs, formatting and set-up on your own account, so you keep full control and every penny of royalties.
