Skip to content
01 77 14 50 81

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.

Your barcode

For another publication: ISBN (book) · ISSN (periodical)

With its hyphens: 979-0-…, or the old M-… form.

100 %

For example “€18.00” or “CHF 26.–”. It is printed as text, not encoded.

Bar width reduction

Leave it at 0. A reduction makes up for ink spread, which depends on the press and the paper: if one is needed, ask your printer to determine the value with a test print (GS1 General Specifications, Release 26.0, §5.12.4.2, ).

The barcode is created in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us or kept. Only the sharing link, if you copy it, contains what you typed.

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.

PNG resolution
PNG background

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 2 3 4
  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.

SourceISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §2.1

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.

SourceInternational ISMN Agency, the ISMN

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.

SourcesInternational ISMN Agency, the ISMNISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §3International ISMN Agency, FAQ

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.

SourcesInternational ISMN Agency, FAQInternational ISMN Agency, the French agencySEAMInternational ISMN Agency, the Belgian agencyACAMAR, ISMNLibrary and Archives Canada, ISMNINAEM, Agencia Española del ISMNMusic Publishers Association, Buy ISMNsLibrary of Congress, ISMN

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.

SourcesInternational ISMN Agency, the ISMNISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §10

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.

SourceISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §2, §7, §7.1.1, §7.1.2, §7.2 and §7.3

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.

SourceISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §7.1.1 and §9.1

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.

SourcesLibrary of Congress, ISMNMusic Publishers Association, Buy ISMNs

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.

SourceISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §10

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.

SourceISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §9.1

Does a recording get an ISMN?

No: the ISMN identifies notated music; stand-alone sound or video recordings do not receive one.

SourceISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §3

Does a price change need a new ISMN?

No: a price change does not require a new ISMN.

SourceISMN Users’ Manual, 2016, §6

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 →
Request a quote