ISBN Scanner & Book Lookup — Scan ISBN Barcodes Free

Scan an ISBN barcode on the back of any book to instantly look up the title, author, edition, and compare prices on Amazon, AbeBooks, and ThriftBooks. Free, browser-based, works on iPhone, Android, PC, Mac, and Chromebook.

ScanApp is a free, open-source web-based QR code and barcode scanner. Scan QR codes with your webcam or upload an image file — no install, no signup, no ads. Works on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and ChromeOS. Scanning is done locally on your device for full privacy.

Supported codes

QR Code, Aztec, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, Data Matrix, EAN-13, EAN-8, ITF, PDF417, UPC-A, UPC-E, MaxiCode, and RSS-14.

How to scan an ISBN barcode online

Open scanapp.org/isbn in your browser and grant camera permission, then point your camera at the ISBN barcode on the back of any book (or near the copyright page inside). ScanApp recognizes both ISBN-13 (starts with 978 or 979) and ISBN-10 formats and decodes the number in your browser. You can also upload a photo of the back cover.

Look up a book by ISBN

Once you have the ISBN, you can look up the title, author, edition, and cover art using the free Open Library API or Google Books. ScanApp links you straight to price comparisons on Amazon, AbeBooks, and ThriftBooks so you can find the cheapest copy — new, used, or rental.

Why scan an ISBN online?

• Find cheaper textbooks. Scan the ISBN at the bookstore to compare used prices before buying new.
• Sell your old books. Get an instant offer from BookScouter, Decluttr, or Amazon Trade-In using the scanned ISBN.
• Build a personal library. Scan your shelf to bulk-import titles into Goodreads, LibraryThing, or Bookwyrm.
• Verify rare editions. Compare the printed ISBN against catalog data to spot first editions or reprints.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I scan an ISBN barcode online?

Open scanapp.org/isbn in any modern browser, allow camera access, and point your camera at the ISBN barcode on the back of the book. ScanApp decodes the number instantly and links to title lookup and price comparison sites.

What is the difference between ISBN-10 and ISBN-13?

ISBN-10 is the older 10-digit format used on books published before 2007. ISBN-13 is the current 13-digit format starting with 978 or 979 and matches the EAN-13 barcode standard used worldwide. ScanApp reads both.

Can I look up a book by scanning the ISBN?

Yes. After ScanApp decodes the ISBN, the page links to Open Library, Google Books, Amazon, AbeBooks, and ThriftBooks where you can see the title, author, cover, and current prices.

Is there a free ISBN scanner for textbooks?

Yes — scanapp.org/isbn is 100% free, has no ads, and requires no signup. It's ideal for students comparing textbook prices across new, used, and rental sellers.

Can I scan a book's ISBN from a photo instead of using the camera?

Yes. Click the upload icon on scanapp.org/isbn and select a photo of the book's back cover. ScanApp decodes the ISBN from the image entirely in your browser.

Does ISBN scanning work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. Open scanapp.org/isbn in Safari, Chrome, or any modern mobile browser, grant camera permission, and scan. No app download required.

Where is the ISBN barcode on a book?

The ISBN barcode is almost always printed on the back cover near the bottom, often above the price. For hardcovers without dust jackets, check the copyright page inside the front matter for the printed ISBN number.