Insert the correct hyphens, validate the check digit, and convert between ISBN-10 and ISBN-13.
Hyphens follow ISBN agency group ranges — not a simple every-four-digits split. Paste a number and copy the formatted result for your copyright page or retailer metadata.
Format your ISBN
ISBN-10 or ISBN-13 · hyphens optional
Example: 9783161484100
Why hyphenate an ISBN?
The 13 digits of an ISBN are grouped as prefix, registration group, registrant (publisher), publication, and check digit. The hyphenated form (for example 978-3-16-148410-0) is what you print on the copyright page. Barcodes and most upload fields use the digits only.
Why use this converter?
01Correct hyphen placement
ISBN hyphens are not arbitrary. Group, registrant, and publication lengths follow the ISBN agency ranges. This tool applies those ranges instead of inserting dashes every four digits.
02ISBN-10 and ISBN-13
Paste either format. Invalid check digits are flagged. 978 ISBN-13 values can be converted to ISBN-10; ISBN-10 values convert to ISBN-13.
03See each ISBN part
The result breaks out prefix, registration group, registrant, publication, and check digit so you can confirm the number before you print it on a copyright page.
04Copy in one click
Copy the hyphenated ISBN-13 (and the ISBN-10 equivalent when available) into KDP, IngramSpark, or your metadata spreadsheet.
05Free & private
Conversion runs in your browser. Nothing is stored on our servers.
How to use this tool
1
Paste your ISBN
Enter a 10- or 13-digit ISBN. Existing hyphens and spaces are removed before validation.
2
Hyphenate
Click Hyphenate ISBN. A valid number shows the dashed ISBN-13, an ISBN-10 when it can be converted, and each element of the number.
3
Copy the result
Use Copy next to the format you need for the copyright page, barcode generator, or retailer metadata.
Frequently asked questions
Hyphens make the prefix, group, publisher, title, and check digit readable to humans. Scanners ignore hyphens; metadata systems often accept either form. Official display on the copyright page uses the hyphenated ISBN-13.
No. Group and registrant lengths vary by country and publisher. 978-0-… (English-language group 0) uses different splits from 978-90-… (Netherlands). Hyphenation follows the standard range tables.
ISBN-13 is the current standard (usually 978 or 979 plus 10 digits). ISBN-10 is the older 10-digit form. Numbers that start with 978 can be converted both ways. 979 identifiers do not have an ISBN-10 equivalent.
The check digit does not match. ISBN-13 uses a 1–3 weighted sum modulo 10. ISBN-10 uses modulo 11, with X standing for 10. The error message shows the digit the number should end with.
No. Hyphens are display only. The 13 digits (or 10) stay the same. Always keep the unhyphenated form for barcodes and most upload fields.
From your national agency (Bowker in the US, Nielsen in the UK, and so on) or from Amazon KDP if you use their free ISBN. The converter formats an ISBN you already own; it does not issue new numbers.
