ISSN Barcode Structure for Serials

What is an ISSN?

The International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) identifies newspapers, journals, and magazines. While a base ISSN is 8 digits long, the version printed on retail covers must be formatted as a specialized 13-digit EAN-13 barcode to be scannable in bookstores and newsstands.

The 13-Digit EAN Wrapper

To print an ISSN for retail, the 8-digit identifier must be converted as follows:

1. Prefix (977): Every ISSN-based barcode starts with this mandatory 3-digit prefix.
2. Base ISSN: The first 7 digits of the assigned 8-digit ISSN (the original 8th digit is a checksum and is discarded).
3. Sequence Variant: Two digits (usually "00") used by publishers to track special issues or variants of the same title.
4. Check Digit: The final 13th digit, calculated using the standard EAN-13 Modulo 10 algorithm.

Add-on Issue Coding

Publishers often add a 2-digit or 5-digit supplemental barcode to the right of the main ISSN. This "Add-on" typically represents the month (01-12) or the specific issue number, allowing retailers to distinguish between different editions of the same publication.