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ISBN guide for self-published authors

Can You Publish a Book Without an ISBN?

Yes. Amazon KDP will give your paperback a free ISBN, and a Kindle ebook needs none at all. The catch is what the free number ties you to: Amazon as the publisher of record, and no bookstore or library distribution through IngramSpark. Here is how to decide, in five minutes.

Want it handled? Every Columbia Publication package includes ISBNs, from our Bowker block or your own. Your quote within one business day.

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The short answer

You can publish a book without buying an ISBN. Amazon KDP does not require one for Kindle ebooks and offers a free ISBN for paperbacks and hardcovers, but that free ISBN lists the book as independently published and can only be used on Amazon, so the book cannot be distributed to bookstores and libraries through IngramSpark under that number. For wide print distribution, use an ISBN from Bowker, the US ISBN agency ($125 for one or $295 for ten), with one ISBN for each format. Whoever owns the ISBN is the publisher of record. Columbia Publication includes ISBNs from its Bowker block in every package from $1,499, or uses the author’s own.

Prices checked October 27, 2026 · Reviewed by Gia Kahn, Lead Editor · Next review November 2026 · How we check

Is this you?

This page helps if

  • You are about to publish on Amazon and wonder whether to take the free ISBN.
  • You want your book in bookstores and libraries, not only on Amazon.
  • You are publishing more than one format, or more than one book.
  • You want to be listed as the publisher, under your own name or imprint.

The free ISBN is the easiest decision to make and the hardest one to undo.

It takes one click on KDP and costs nothing. Months later, a bookstore asks how to order the book, or you want it in libraries, and the answer is a new edition with a new ISBN, a new listing, and reviews that do not carry over.

Decide once, before you publish: free and Amazon-only, or an ISBN that opens the whole book trade. The table below sets out the options.

Your options

Which ISBN option is right for your book?

Three ways to handle ISBNs, compared on what they cost and what they allow.

OptionCostWhat it means
No ISBN (Kindle ebook only)FreeKindle uses Amazon’s own ASIN. Fine for a Kindle-only ebook; other ebook stores often ask for an ISBN
KDP’s free ISBNFreeListed as “Independently published”; usable on Amazon only, so no IngramSpark bookstore and library distribution with that number
Your own ISBN from Bowker$125 for one, $295 for tenYou, or your imprint, are the publisher of record; usable on KDP and IngramSpark
ISBN included in a publishing packageIncluded with us, from $1,499From our Bowker block, with Columbia Publication as publisher of record, or your own ISBN if you prefer

Sources: Bowker (myidentifiers.com) ISBN prices; Amazon KDP ISBN help. Accessed October 2026.

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The basics

What is an ISBN, and how many do you need?

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a 13-digit number that identifies one edition in one format. The paperback, hardcover, ebook and audiobook each need their own. Bookstores, libraries and distributors use it to find and order the book, and it records who the publisher is.

Paperback only

One ISBN. A single $125 ISBN works, though ten for $295 costs less per number.

Paperback, hardcover and ebook

Three ISBNs. The block of ten is the better buy and leaves room for later books.

A series

One ISBN per format per book. See book series publishing.

A new edition

A substantial revision needs a new ISBN; a typo fix does not.

Not sure how many you need? Tell us your formats and we will include them in your quote.

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The free ISBN

What happens if you use KDP’s free ISBN?

  • Publisher of record. The book is listed as “Independently published”, not under your name or imprint.
  • Amazon only. The number cannot be used with another distributor, so the book cannot go to bookstores and libraries through IngramSpark under that ISBN.
  • Changing later. Moving to wider distribution means a new edition with a new ISBN and a new listing.
  • When it is fine. A book meant only for Amazon, such as a personal project or a test of a concept.

Your own ISBN

How do you get your own ISBN?

In the United States, ISBNs come from Bowker through myidentifiers.com: $125 for one or $295 for ten, which is $29.50 each. Register the ISBN in your own name or your imprint’s, then enter it when you set the book up on KDP and IngramSpark. Outside the US, use your country’s agency: Nielsen in the UK, Thorpe-Bowker in Australia; see self-publishing in the UK and in Australia.

Or leave it to us: every Columbia Publication package includes ISBNs from our Bowker block, which saves you buying them, or uses your own if you want to be the publisher of record. Either way the book is not exclusive to us and the royalties go to you.

ISBNs included

Publishing packages with ISBNs included

Every package includes ISBNs for your formats, two revision rounds per deliverable and no share of your royalties.

Already edited

Global Publish

$1,499

Every format gets the right ISBN, set up on KDP and IngramSpark with the metadata done properly.

On Amazon, in bookstores and in libraries from launch day, without ever republishing to fix an ISBN choice.

Typically 4 to 5 weeks

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Most chosen

Full Production

$2,499

Adds a full proofread and paperback, hardcover and ebook, each with its own ISBN, run by one project manager.

Three formats, three ISBNs, one person keeping every number and listing straight.

Typically 7 to 9 weeks

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Win readers

Authority System

$4,999

Adds a full copyedit, keyword and category research, an author website and a press release.

Stocked and findable: the listing is built to be discovered, not only available.

Edit plus launch

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No ISBN mistakes to undo

  • The right number on every formateach edition gets its own ISBN, entered and checked by us.
  • Your choice of publisher of recordour Bowker block, or your own ISBNs if you want your imprint listed.
  • Nothing charged before you approvethe quote, with ISBNs included.
  • Never exclusivethe book stays yours to move, with your files.

Prefer your own imprint listed as publisher? Bring your own ISBNs and we enter them for you. Paid in full upfront once you approve the quote.

What you can count on

What we set up for you

  • ISBN registrationRecorded against your title and each format.
  • KDP setupPaperback, hardcover and Kindle edition, in your account.
  • IngramSpark setupWholesale discount and returns set so bookstores can order.
  • MetadataTitle, subtitle, description, categories and keywords.
  • BarcodeGenerated from the ISBN and placed on the back cover.
  • Your filesFinal print and ebook files delivered to you.

How it runs

From quote to a correctly numbered book

  1. Tell us your formatsPaperback, hardcover, ebook, audio.Day 1
  2. Your quoteISBN count and package price.Within 1 business day
  3. ProductionEdit, cover and interior, approved by you.Two revision rounds
  4. ISBNs assignedOne per format, registered and entered.Before upload
  5. Live everywhereAmazon, bookstores and libraries, each format under its own number.4 to 9 weeks
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Build your custom quote

We’ve started with ISBN & copyright. Add anything else your manuscript needs, and a specialist sends an itemized quote within one business day. Free, confidential, no obligation.

1. What does your book need? Pick all that apply

2. About the manuscript
3. Where should we send your quote?

Prefer to talk? Call +1 (703) 997-9787 or use the chat.

Your quote within one business day. Nothing is charged until you approve it. 100% of your rights stay yours.

Questions

Publishing without an ISBN: common questions

Can I publish a book without an ISBN?

Yes. A Kindle ebook needs no ISBN, and KDP offers a free ISBN for print. The free ISBN limits the book to Amazon; for bookstores and libraries, use your own or one included in a publishing package.

Do I need an ISBN to publish on Amazon KDP?

Not for a Kindle ebook. For a paperback or hardcover, KDP will give you a free ISBN if you do not have one.

What is the difference between KDP’s free ISBN and my own?

The free ISBN lists the book as independently published and works only on Amazon. Your own ISBN lists you as publisher and works on KDP and IngramSpark.

How much does an ISBN cost?

In the US, $125 for one or $295 for ten from Bowker. Each format needs its own.

Who is the publisher of record?

Whoever owns the ISBN. With your own Bowker ISBN, it is you or your imprint. With an ISBN from our block, it is Columbia Publication, and the book is still yours, non-exclusive, with royalties paid to you.

Can I switch from the free ISBN later?

Only by publishing a new edition with a new ISBN, which means a new listing.

Publish it once, with the right ISBN.

Tell us your formats and where you want the book sold. A specialist replies within one business day.

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