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What is an ISBN number?
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 10-digit code which is used to uniquely identify a book. This number allows publishers, libraries, and book dealers to locate books. Books with an ISBN will appear in Bowker’s Books in Print which is what booksellers use to locate the publisher of a book so they can order it. If you wish to sell your book through retail outlets you must have an ISBN for it.
The 10-digit number is broken down into four sections separated by a hyphen. For example an ISBN may look like this: 0-9768076-4-2. The four sections identify different things. The first section consists of one number which is the Group or country identifier which identifies a national or geographical grouping of publishers. The second part identifies the Publisher. The third part identifies the individual title or edition of a title. The last number is called a "Check digit" and is used to validate the number. You will often see ISBNs printed without the hyphens.
Starting Jan 2005 the book industry started to adapt to a new 13 digit ISBN system. For more information on the new system visit the ISBN 13 FAQ page
In the United States ISBNs are assigned by R.R. Bowker through the website ISBN.org. They are the only authorized seller of ISBNs in the USA. ISBNs are sold in a minimum block of 10 ISBNs with larger blocks available. You may not purchase a single ISBN. Some companies offer to resell you a single ISBN but this is a violation of the ISBN standard and of industry practice. At the time of this writing the cost of a block of 10 ISBNs from ISBN.org was $269.95. Click here for the current costs listed on the ISBN.org website. Applications and payment for a block of ISBNs through ISBN.org can be submitted online or by mail.
For more answers to your ISBN questions visit the ISBN FAQ page maintained by the R.R. Bowker.