--- title: "Free ISMN barcode generator for printed music (EAN-13) | IN TEMPO" description: "Make a score’s EAN-13 barcode from its ISMN, free, in 979-0 or the old M- form: GS1 size, the “ISMN 979-0-…” line, a 100 % black vector file." url: "https://www.intempo.fr/en/outils/code-barres-ismn/" lang: "en" --- # Free ISMN barcode generator Type your score’s ISMN, in 979-0 or the old M- form: its EAN-13 barcode appears at once, at the standard size, ready to download. Form: `GET https://www.intempo.fr/en/outils/code-barres-ismn/` Makes the EAN-13 barcode (GS1 standard) of a score from its ISMN, in 979-0 or the old M- form. Answers with the hyphenated ISMN and the barcode as a 100 % black SVG. Nothing is kept. - The score’s ISMN (`ismn`): The score’s ISMN, with its hyphens as it appears in the document sent by your ISMN agency, for example 979-0-2600-0043-8, or in the old form M-2600-0043-8. - Size (`taille`): The size as a percentage of the GS1 standard size, 80 to 200; 100 by default. - Price printed under the barcode (optional) (`prix`): The price printed as text under the barcode, optional, for example “€18.00”. It is not encoded. - Bar width reduction (mm) (`reduction`): The bar width reduction in mm, 0 to 0.05, only if the printer asks for one; 0 by default. The generator draws the barcode in your browser and needs JavaScript to do so. Turn it on to use the tool; you can read the rest of the page without JavaScript. ### Download The PDF is vector, in 100 % black (C0 M0 Y0 K100): it is the one for the printer. The SVG goes into InDesign, Affinity or Illustrator; the PNG into Canva or Word. In all three the text is drawn: no font is needed. Download the PDFDownload the SVG PNG resolution \[x] 300 dpi \[ ] 600 dpi \[ ] 1200 dpi PNG background \[x] White background \[ ] Transparent background Download the PNG Copy the link to this barcode The files are offered once the ISMN is valid and written with its hyphens. ## How an ISMN barcode reads ISMN 979-0-2600-0043-8, once written M-2600-0043-8, as this generator draws it. Each number points to a part of the line above the bars. 1. **979-0**: The ISMN’s prefix, which tells it from an ISBN; it replaces the old M. 2. **2600**: The music publisher. 3. **0043**: The item: the score, the part or the particular edition. 4. **8**: The check digit, worked out from the twelve digits before it. Source[ISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §2.1](https://ismn-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Web_ISMN_Users_Manual_2016.pdf) Checked on 11 October 2026 ## How it works 1. Type the score’s ISMN with its hyphens, in 979-0 or the old M- form: the generator checks its check digit. 2. Keep the standard size, 100 %, or set it between 80 % and 200 %. 3. Download the PDF for the printer, or the SVG and the PNG for your engraving or layout software. Source[International ISMN Agency, the ISMN](https://ismn-international.org/ismn/the-ismn/) Checked on 11 October 2026 ## What an ISMN identifies The ISMN identifies notated music: a score, a part, or an element of a kit, in print or digital, for sale, for hire or free. It has thirteen digits starting with 979-0, and is encoded as it is in an EAN-13. It is not for recordings, nor for books on music, which take an ISBN. A printed and a digital edition are two items, and each has its own ISMN. Sources[International ISMN Agency, the ISMN](https://ismn-international.org/ismn/the-ismn/) [ISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §3](https://ismn-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Web_ISMN_Users_Manual_2016.pdf) [International ISMN Agency, FAQ](https://ismn-international.org/ismn/faq/) Checked on 11 October 2026 ## Before you start: getting an ISMN This generator does not give you an ISMN: it draws the barcode of an ISMN already assigned. An ISMN comes from the agency of the publisher’s country, and its cost varies from country to country. - In France, from the SEAM, the society of music publishers and authors, which is the French ISMN agency. - In Belgium, from Partitor. - In Switzerland, Germany and Austria, from ACAMAR, for the German music publishers’ association. - In Canada, from ISMN Canada at Library and Archives Canada, free. - In Spain, from the Agencia Española del ISMN. - In the United Kingdom, from the Music Publishers Association, which supplies the barcodes too. - In the United States, from the Library of Congress, free. Sources[International ISMN Agency, FAQ](https://ismn-international.org/ismn/faq/) [International ISMN Agency, the French agency](https://ismn-international.org/agency-details/?agency-name=ISMN%20France) [SEAM](https://www.seamfrance.fr/) [International ISMN Agency, the Belgian agency](https://ismn-international.org/agency-details/?agency-name=ISMN%20Belgium) [ACAMAR, ISMN](https://www.acamar.de/de/Services/ISMN.html) [Library and Archives Canada, ISMN](https://www.canada.ca/en/library-archives/services/publishers/ismn.html) [INAEM, Agencia Española del ISMN](https://www.musicadanza.es/es/agencia-ismn) [Music Publishers Association, Buy ISMNs](https://mpaonline.org.uk/resources/buy-ismns/) [Library of Congress, ISMN](https://loc.gov/ismn) Checked on 11 October 2026 ## The old M- form Before 1 January 2008, the ISMN had ten characters and started with M, as in M-2306-7118-7. To turn it into the thirteen-digit form, replace the M with 979-0: M-2306-7118-7 becomes 979-0-2306-7118-7, with the same check digit. The generator takes both. Sources[International ISMN Agency, the ISMN](https://ismn-international.org/ismn/the-ismn/) [ISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §10](https://ismn-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Web_ISMN_Users_Manual_2016.pdf) Checked on 11 October 2026 ## Where to print it on the score - On the back of the score or part and, if possible, also near the copyright notice. If neither position is possible, choose another prominent place, such as the bottom of the first page of music. - Preceded by the letters “ISMN”, in legible type of 9 points or more. - For a set of parts sold in a wrapper, on the wrapper. - As an EAN-13 barcode, which the manual recommends, observing the EAN’s technical rules. Source[ISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §2, §7, §7.1.1, §7.1.2, §7.2 and §7.3](https://ismn-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Web_ISMN_Users_Manual_2016.pdf) Checked on 11 October 2026 ## A score for the book trade: ISBN and ISMN A score also sold in bookshops may receive an ISBN in addition to the ISMN. When a publication may qualify as both a book and notated music, the publisher can choose a single identifier; the manual suggests giving preference to the ISMN in cases of doubt. If both identifiers are assigned, print them side by side, preceded by “ISBN” and “ISMN” respectively. Source[ISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §7.1.1 and §9.1](https://ismn-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Web_ISMN_Users_Manual_2016.pdf) Checked on 11 October 2026 ## Frequently asked questions **Does this generator give me an ISMN?** No: it draws the barcode of an ISMN already assigned; in the United States, ISMNs come free from the Library of Congress, in the UK from the Music Publishers Association. Sources[Library of Congress, ISMN](https://loc.gov/ismn) [Music Publishers Association, Buy ISMNs](https://mpaonline.org.uk/resources/buy-ismns/) Checked on 11 October 2026 **My ISMN starts with M: is it still valid?** Yes: it is the form used before 2008; replace the M with 979-0, and the generator makes the barcode of either. Source[ISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §10](https://ismn-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Web_ISMN_Users_Manual_2016.pdf) Checked on 11 October 2026 **ISBN or ISMN for a score?** The ISMN identifies the score; if it is also sold in bookshops, it may receive an ISBN. If both identifiers are assigned, print them side by side, preceded by “ISBN” and “ISMN” respectively. Source[ISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §9.1](https://ismn-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Web_ISMN_Users_Manual_2016.pdf) Checked on 11 October 2026 **Does a recording get an ISMN?** No: the ISMN identifies notated music; stand-alone sound or video recordings do not receive one. Source[ISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §3](https://ismn-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Web_ISMN_Users_Manual_2016.pdf) Checked on 11 October 2026 **Does a price change need a new ISMN?** No: a price change does not require a new ISMN. Source[ISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §6](https://ismn-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Web_ISMN_Users_Manual_2016.pdf) Checked on 11 October 2026 ## In the glossary - [EAN barcode](https://www.intempo.fr/en/glossaire/code-barres-ean/) - [ISBN](https://www.intempo.fr/en/glossaire/isbn/) - [Legal deposit](https://www.intempo.fr/en/glossaire/depot-legal/) ## Having this score printed? IN TEMPO chooses the printer that suits your score, in France or elsewhere in Europe, and follows it from file to delivered print run. A person answers you. [Get in touch →](https://www.intempo.fr/en/contact/)