Do you need an ISBN? Should you get yours free from Chiify?

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is the 13-digit identifier that retailers and libraries use to track a specific edition of a book. The rules around when you need one are confusing — here's the practical version.

Do you need an ISBN?

For ebooks: No, technically. Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, and Google Play don't require one. They assign their own internal identifiers (ASIN on Amazon, etc.). You can publish without one.

For print: Yes, always. Every print-on-demand vendor (IngramSpark, KDP Print) requires an ISBN.

For library distribution: Yes — OverDrive, Hoopla, and Bibliotheca require ISBNs.

For audiobooks: Yes for Audible. Other audiobook retailers vary; we recommend always having one.

Three ways to get an ISBN

1. Use a free Chiify ISBN

Chiify provides a free ISBN with every book upload. We draw from Bowker's pool (the US ISBN agency).

Pros: Free, instant, no admin work.

Cons: Bowker is the recorded publisher of the ISBN, not you. For most authors this doesn't matter. For authors who eventually want to license film/TV rights or sell foreign rights, having the publisher be a third party is sometimes seen as less professional.

2. Buy your own ISBN

You buy a block of 10 from Bowker (in the US) or your country's ISBN agency. About $295 for 10, or $125 for 1.

Pros: You're listed as the publisher. You own the ISBNs forever.

Cons: Cost, and the admin to register them.

3. Skip the ISBN

For ebook-only releases on a single platform (e.g., just Amazon), you don't need an ISBN at all. Amazon assigns an ASIN; the book is fully sellable.

Pros: Free, fast.

Cons: Can't expand to libraries, print, or some retailers later without going back and getting one.

Our recommendation

For your first book: use Chiify's free ISBN. If you later want to upgrade to your own, we'll re-assign the book to your new ISBN — there's no penalty.

For a small press or imprint: buy your own block. It looks more professional and you control the publisher record.

Different formats need different ISBNs

Each format of the same book needs its own ISBN:

• Ebook → one ISBN
• Audiobook → another ISBN
• Paperback → another ISBN
• Hardcover → another ISBN

Chiify auto-assigns the right ISBN to each format if you're using our free pool.

Where the ISBN appears

The ISBN shows up:

• In retailer listings (sometimes hidden under "more details")
• On the EPUB's metadata (so libraries can catalog it)
• On the print book's copyright page and on the back cover near the barcode

You don't need to write the ISBN into your manuscript — we handle that automatically.