I just saw a LinkedIn post demanding authors buy their own ISBNs from Bowker. Sure, ISBNs are necessary for most books—but spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on them before you even sell a book? Think twice.
Every dollar you spend on your book is a dollar you have to earn back before you break even, much less make a profit. Here’s what you need to know about ISBNs in 2025 to avoid wasting money.
How Much Do Bowker ISBNs Cost?
Bowker remains the official ISBN agency for the U.S., and their pricing hasn’t changed drastically:
- 1 ISBN — $125 (ouch)
- 10 ISBNs — $295
- 100 ISBNs — $575
- 1000 ISBNs — $1500
That means to cover just one ISBN at $125, you’d need to sell at least 61 ebooks priced at $2.99 each, just to break even on that ISBN purchase alone.
You Need an ISBN for Every Version of Your Book
One common misconception is thinking one ISBN covers your entire book, no matter the format. Wrong. You need a unique ISBN for each version:
- Ebook
- Paperback
- Hardcover
- Audiobook
If you publish multiple versions, the ISBN costs multiply quickly. For example, if your book has 4 versions, that’s 4 ISBNs per title.
If you have a series with many books and versions, this quickly becomes expensive.
Free ISBNs: What You Should Know
Here’s the good news: Most independent publishing platforms offer free ISBNs.
- Amazon KDP provides free ISBNs for paperbacks.
- Barnes & Noble Press offers free ISBNs.
- Kobo Writing Life provides free ISBNs.
- Draft2Digital and others also supply ISBNs for ebooks or print on demand.
But free ISBNs are platform-specific. You cannot use an Amazon ISBN on Barnes & Noble or Kobo, and vice versa. Each platform issues their own ISBN tied to that store.
Do You Need a New Book Cover for Every Platform?
If you use your own ISBN, you must generate a barcode with that ISBN to put on your back cover. If you’re using platform-assigned free ISBNs, most platforms add the barcode for you automatically.
You don’t need a completely new cover for every platform, but you may need to adjust the back cover barcode area to match the ISBN provided.
What About Ebooks and ISBNs?
Good news again! For ebooks, ISBNs aren’t always required. Amazon uses its own ASIN system for ebooks published on KDP. Many ebook retailers don’t require ISBNs at all for digital versions, saving you money.
If you want to sell your ebook widely, check each platform’s requirements before buying ISBNs unnecessarily.
Expanded Distribution and ISBNs
Amazon’s Expanded Distribution for paperbacks allows your book to appear on other retailers like Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million without extra uploads or ISBNs.
Keep in mind expanded distribution covers selected wholesalers and retailers, but not every bookstore or library.
If you want wider control, including libraries and international bookstores, owning your own ISBNs may be beneficial.
Regional ISBN Differences
If you’re outside the U.S., ISBN agencies and costs vary widely:
- Canada offers free ISBNs through Library and Archives Canada.
- UK authors can get ISBNs from Nielsen for free or low cost.
- Many other countries have their own agencies, often providing ISBNs at no or low cost.
Always check your local ISBN agency before purchasing from Bowker.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Overspend on ISBNs
Every dollar you spend upfront on ISBNs, cover design, or marketing is money you need to recoup through sales. Don’t get tricked into buying ISBNs you don’t need.
Tips:
- Use free ISBNs from publishing platforms if you’re self-publishing there.
- Only buy your own ISBNs if you plan broad distribution outside major platforms.
- Remember ISBNs are per format/version, so plan accordingly.
- Check local ISBN agencies if you’re outside the U.S.
- Avoid unnecessary expenses early on — focus on writing and marketing.