ISSN
Published by the QRinsec Editorial Team — practical documentation about QR codes, barcode standards, and QRinsec’s client-side tools. Content is reviewed against product testing and published technical documentation from sources such as GS1, Denso Wave, and ISO standards where applicable.
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ISSN identifies serial publications such as magazines, journals and newspapers, and is encoded on-product as an EAN-13 with a 977 prefix.
Important Notice
ISSN numbers must be obtained from your national ISSN centre — do not invent or reuse ISSN numbers.
Important Notice
Do not use an ISBN barcode on a serial publication. ISSN (prefix 977) and ISBN (prefix 978/979) are different identifiers.
Key Facts
- Digits
- 13 (GS1 prefix 977)
- Symbology
- EAN-13 (identical)
- Check Digit
- Modulo 10 (EAN-13)
- Standard
- ISO 3297 (ISSN) + ISO/IEC 15420 (EAN)
- Common Use
- Magazines / journals / newspapers
What is an ISSN barcode?
ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is the barcode printed on the cover of magazines, journals, newspapers, and other serial publications. The barcode itself is an EAN-13 barcode using the GS1 prefix '977', with the 8-digit ISSN embedded in positions 4–11, two zeros as a filler, and an EAN-13 Modulo 10 check digit. Like ISBN-13 for books, the ISSN barcode is assigned by the International ISSN Network through national ISSN centres — publishers cannot self-assign them.
The 13 digits explained
An ISSN barcode encodes 13 digits in EAN-13 format:
- Digits 1–3: GS1 prefix '977' (ISSN Bookland).
- Digits 4–10: First 7 digits of the 8-digit ISSN (dropping the ISSN check digit).
- Digits 11–12: Issue number (00 for a simple ISSN barcode; otherwise a 2-digit issue sequence number 01–99).
- Digit 13: EAN-13 Modulo 10 check digit.
The original ISSN check digit (an 8th digit using Modulo 11) is not included in the barcode — it is recalculated as EAN-13.
The 2-digit or 5-digit add-on
Magazines and journals frequently carry an EAN-2 or EAN-5 add-on barcode to the right of the main ISSN barcode:
- EAN-2: 2-digit issue/edition number (01–52 for weekly issues, 01–12 for monthly, etc.).
- EAN-5: Price add-on (same format as ISBN-13 price supplement).
The add-on is optional but widely used by magazine distributors and newsstands to identify specific issues at point of sale.
ISSN vs. ISBN-13 vs. EAN-13
ISSN barcodes use GS1 prefix 977 (serials) while ISBN-13 uses 978/979 (books). Both are EAN-13 barcodes and are scanned identically. ISSN identifies the serial title (not a specific issue); the EAN-2 add-on differentiates individual issues. A publication that is both a book series and a serial may carry both an ISBN-13 and an ISSN.
When to use ISSN barcodes
Use ISSN barcodes on:
- Magazines, journals, and newspapers sold through retail newsstands.
- Academic and professional journals.
- Any serial publication with a recurring publication schedule.
Obtain your ISSN from your national ISSN centre before printing. Do not use an ISBN barcode on a serial publication.
Printing requirements
ISSN barcodes follow EAN-13 specifications: nominal size 37.29 mm × 26.26 mm, magnification 80%–200%, quiet zones 11× module width left and 7× right. When an EAN-2 add-on is present, the combined symbol requires additional horizontal space and a 5-module separation between main and add-on symbols. Always include the human-readable ISSN number (with hyphen, e.g., ISSN 1234-5679) above or below the barcode.
Common scanning failures
ISSN barcodes fail most often due to insufficient space between the main barcode and the add-on, cover artwork invading the quiet zone, and low-contrast printing on coloured magazine covers. Always place the barcode on a white or light-background panel and verify quiet zones before sending files to print.
Comparison
| Feature | ISSN | ISBN-13 | EAN-13 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS1 Prefix | 977 | 978 or 979 | Variable |
| Publication Type | Serials (magazines, journals) | Books | General retail |
| Add-on Used? | EAN-2 (issue) or EAN-5 (price) | EAN-5 (price) | Rare |
| Issuing Body | ISSN national centre | National ISBN agency | GS1 member org |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ISSN and ISBN?
ISSN identifies serial publications (magazines, journals) using GS1 prefix 977. ISBN identifies books and monographs using prefix 978 or 979. Both use EAN-13 barcode symbology. A title that is both a book and part of a series may have both.
Where do I get an ISSN for my magazine?
Apply to your national ISSN centre. A directory of national centres is available at issn.org. ISSN registration is typically free or low-cost.
What does the 2-digit add-on barcode mean on a magazine?
The EAN-2 add-on encodes the issue number (e.g., 03 for March or issue 3). It allows newsstand point-of-sale systems to track sales by specific issue while the main ISSN barcode identifies the title.
Does the ISSN check digit appear in the barcode?
No. The 8th digit of the ISSN (its Modulo 11 check digit) is dropped when converting to a barcode. The barcode uses an EAN-13 Modulo 10 check digit instead, recalculated from the 12 barcode digits.
Can I scan an ISSN barcode with a standard retail scanner?
Yes. ISSN barcodes are EAN-13 and readable by all GS1-compliant barcode scanners without special configuration.
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