ISBN is the abbreviation of International Standard Book Number - a unique, numeric commercial book identifier. Based upon the 9-digit Standard Book Numbering (SBN) code introduced in 1966, 10-digit ISBN format was developed in 1970 and became the international standard.
Valid symbols: |
0123456789 |
Length: |
Not variable, 10 symbols |
Check digit: |
One |
The ISBN, assigned to books of 2006 contained 10 digits length and consist of four fields of variable length:
For a 13 digit ISBN, a GS1 prefix: 978 or 979.
The group identifier, (language-sharing country group).
The publisher code.
The item number.
A checksum character or check digit.
An "ISBN-10" barcode.
Note the 'human readable' digits at the foot which can be used by operators if the label becomes damaged or will not scan for some reason - "80-902734-1-6" is the number encoded in the barcode.