Do You Need an ISBN for Amazon KDP? Free vs. Your Own

You don't need to buy an ISBN for Amazon KDP. Kindle ebooks don't need one, and KDP gives you a free ISBN for a paperback or hardcover. If you want your own imprint name as the publisher, or the same ISBN at other printers and stores, you can buy your own from Bowker in the US.

Both routes are fine. Here's how to choose, and then exactly how to get your own ISBN if you decide that's right for you.

What is an ISBN?

An ISBN is the number that identifies one edition of your book in one format, and libraries, bookstores and distributors use it to find your book. Each format of your book needs its own: the paperback gets one, and the hardcover gets another. The Kindle ebook doesn't need one. Amazon gives the ebook an ASIN instead.

Which ISBN for Amazon KDP should I choose: the free one or my own?

The free one costs nothing but stays with KDP, and your own gives you control. Here's the side-by-side.

The free ISBN is a good choice if you just want your book on Amazon with the least fuss. The tradeoff is that the publisher line reads "Independently published," and that ISBN stays with KDP printing.

When is buying my own ISBN worth it?

It's worth it in three situations.

• You want a publisher name of your own, like your company or a brand you've built, on your Amazon page.
• You plan to print copies elsewhere or sell through other stores and want one ISBN for the same edition everywhere.
• You're publishing a series or several books and want them under one imprint.

If none of those sound like you, the free ISBN is probably enough. You can also start free and buy your own later, but it's simpler to decide before you publish, so you only set it up once.

How do I get my own ISBN in the US?

You buy it from Bowker at myidentifiers.com, in seven steps. In the United States, ISBNs are sold by Bowker through its site, myidentifiers.com. Here's the path.

1. Pick your imprint name first. This is the publisher name that will show on your book. It can be your own name, a business name or something new, like your last name followed by "Press." Search Amazon and the web to make sure no one else uses it, and say it out loud a few times. You'll live with it for a while.
2. Count your formats. You need one ISBN for the paperback and one for the hardcover if you're doing both. Ebooks don't need one. Plan for a new ISBN for each future edition as well.
3. Create your account at myidentifiers.com. Use the same name and address you'll use as the publisher.
4. Choose how many ISBNs to buy. Bowker sells them singly and in blocks. Check the current prices on the site, since they change. A block can work out cheaper per number if you expect to publish more than one book or format, and a single is fine for one title.
5. Complete the purchase. The numbers show up in your account.
6. Assign an ISBN to each title and format. Inside your Bowker account, enter your book's details for each ISBN: title, author, format, and your imprint name as the publisher. Keep these identical to what's on your cover and in KDP.
7. Write the number down where you'll find it again. You'll need it on your copyright page and in KDP.

Bowker's site will walk you through its screens. The names of buttons can change, so follow what's on the page and use the help links there if you get stuck.

How do I enter my own ISBN in KDP?

You enter it in the Content step of each print format, in five moves.

1. On your Bookshelf, open your paperback (or click Create paperback from your ebook).
2. In the Content step, find the ISBN section.
3. Choose the option to use your own ISBN and enter the 13-digit number for that format.
4. Enter your imprint name as the publisher exactly as it appears in your Bowker account.
5. Do the same for your hardcover with its own number.

Then put the same ISBN on your copyright page, next to the format it belongs to. A paperback ISBN goes in the paperback file and a hardcover ISBN in the hardcover file.

What goes on my copyright page?

Put the copyright symbol, the year and your name, "All rights reserved," the ISBN for that format, the publisher (your imprint name, or your own name), the edition, and any disclaimer your content needs, such as medical, legal or financial, or "names have been changed."

Is an ISBN the same as a copyright?

No. They're separate, and there's one more number you may want.

• Library of Congress number: if you want an LCCN on your copyright page, apply through the Library of Congress before the book is published.
• Copyright: your copyright exists the moment you write the book. An ISBN doesn't register it. Registering at copyright.gov is a separate, optional step.

Once your ISBN is sorted, the next job is the files. Our KDP paperback formatting guide covers trim size, margins and bleed, and the full Amazon walkthrough puts every step in order.

Not sure which route fits your book? Start free and you'll get your Voice profile and the Acquisitions Board's read on your idea, plus a checklist that includes this decision.