What is an ISSN number and why is it important

The term ISSN number may come up if you are a researcher or in contact with the scientific community.

We are here to provide you with comprehensive information regarding the ISSN number and how to obtain this number for your journal or magazine.

An ISSN is an eight-digit identifier that is used to identify newspapers, journals, magazines, and periodicals across all print and digital media platforms.

The International Standard Serial Number is given to serial publications as opposed to the International Standard Book Number (ISBN), which is given to books (such as magazines or comic books).

The International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) was authorized for use in printed publications by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1971 and now it’s also used for electronic version.

It is used as identifier by a variety of organisations around the world, including publishers, suppliers, libraries, information services, bar codes, union catalogs, and other serials such as journals, newspapers, newsletters, directories, yearbooks, annual reports, monographs, etc.

Serials with an ISSN are immediately included to the International Serials Directory, increasing their visibility and recognition on a global scale.

What does an ISSN look like?

An ISSN is created by combining two groups of four digits, separated by a hyphen.

A modulus 11 algorithm is used to calculate the eighth digit based on the previous seven digits; in order to avoid ambiguity, the eighth digit is an “X” if the result is “10”.

The first type of ISSN number is 0317-8471.

The second type of ISSN is 1050–124X.

Different Types of ISSNNumbers

Due to the same content in both printed and electronic versions, it became difficult to assign unique ISSNs to electronic versions of publications, To solve this problem, an electronic ISSN (or eISSN) was created.

Both print and electronic media are the two most common formats for serials and are used in different types of publishing. Thus, the ISSN would be the difference.

Print ISSN number

The p-ISSN label represents a “Print ISSN”, and is used only for the printed version (paper) of a journal, magazine, etc. There is usually a default ISSN for each book, and it contains its own ID.

For Example, The journal of mountain Research has the P-ISSN-0974-3030

Electronic ISSN number

The Electronic ISSN (or eISSN) is the standard label for the online version of a serial. The electronic version of a serial number is not used for the print versions and is unique for the same journal.

For Example, the Same Journal of Mountian Research has E-ISSN: 2582-5011

Importance of the ISSN number

ISSNs are used to identify serial titles and are constant from issue to issue until the titles change in which case the issuing authority assigns a new ISSN.

All continuing resources, irrespective of their medium (print or electronic), are identified with an ISSN (International Standard Serial Number): The newspaper,

It is a unique identifier for all journals, magazines, collections, websites, databases, blogs, etc., as well as annual publications (reports, directories, lists, etc.).

All publications subject to legal deposit require an ISSN in many countries and places.

In the United States, ISSNs are assigned by the Library of Congress’s ISSN Center at no cost for the use of this number after the issue.

It consists of eight digits, specifically two groups of four digits each, in Arabic numerals 0 to 9, except for the last — or check — digit.

It should consist of two groups of four digits separated by a hyphen and preceded by the letters.

How to find the ISSN of a journal

A print journal’s ISSN is found in its copyright information and on the front page of the journal ,

while a digital journal’s ISSN is found on its homepage.

Publications are identified by ISSNs and they can be checked by National Centre for ISSN, or NASCAR

The publication’s content and source are legal after us of ISSN number

Read: How To Identify A Journal | Original Vs Fake Research Journal

How to apply for an ISSN number

If you are going to start a journal for publication and struggle with the ISSN number issuance, we are here to help you

Read: How To Start A Best Scientific Journal

The ISSN number can be issued both online and offline, but now a day the online process is more useful and ready to use for all users, and my suggestion to you you can apply online

See guidelines

Most people use an online process and submit their journals and books online to get a number issued by the National Science Library/International Standards Serial Number

Click to apply

Fill out the form online by clicking on the apply online link as mentioned on the screenshot and before that read the guidelines carefully

After completing the online entry carefully make a printout after submitting online and attach a copy of a self-attested address proof copy of the publisher it may be an Aadhar card or Voter ID, Driving license, Passport, etc

All necessary documents and the online application printed out need to be sent by speed post to the address mentioned in the below screen shot.

The application must be accompanied by an appropriate representation of the publication, such as the editor-in-chief or the general editor.

In the case of print series, a sample issue or photocopy of the masthead, cover, or title page should be provided.

In the case of electronic serials on CD-ROM or floppy disk, an actual issue and a printout of the title screen are required.

In the case of online serials, provide an appropriate URL or e-mail for actual issues or mock-ups that will accompany the application.

In this article, we hope you find the steps, information, advice, and ideas about ISSN useful for you if you wish to start a journal and need ISSN numbers and star published [paper in that journal for other researchers.

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