ISBN-10 / ISBN-13 Converter

ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 background

• The International ISBN Agency introduced the new ISBN-13 format in 2007.
• Prior to 2007, the ISBN format was 9 digits plus one check character (either a digit or an X). This older format is now known as ISBN-10.
• Starting in 2007, the ISBN format is identical to that of an EAN-13 Universal Product Code. It consists of 12 digits (starting with 978 or 979) followed by a single check digit. This is referred to as an ISBN-13. On most books it matches the barcode printed beneath the ISBN number.
• It is only possible to convert ISBN-13 to ISBN-10 if the number starts with 978.
• In some countries there may be an additional barcode to the right of the ISBN barcode which gives the suggested retail price for the book: in other countries this recommended pricing is illegal.
• The full specification of an ISBN-13, specifying how the number is split between Prefix Element, Registration Group Element, Registrant Element, Publication Element, and Checksum (along with details of the checksum calculation) can be found in the ISBN User's Manual.