Buy ISMNs

International Standard Music Numbers (ISMNs) are an international system created in 1993 specifically for printed music publications. ISMNs are to printed music what ISBNs are to books.

ISMNs provide 2 primary functions:

  • To provide a unique order reference code for each printed music publication
  • To generate barcodes which retailers and distributors can scan to quickly identify a publication’s ISMN and any corresponding publication information

There is currently no central database on which all printed music publications are listed. Instead, printed music retailers and distributors maintain separate systems. Many retailers and distributors will not stock and sell publications which don’t have either an ISMN or ISBN and a corresponding barcode.

The Music Publishers Association (MPA) is the ISMN agent for the UK & Eire (click here for a list of other national agencies). The MPA sells ISMNs in batches (see below). The MPA also provides barcodes at no additional cost (each barcode corresponds to a different ISMN number). Publishers are advised to buy as many ISMNs as they expect to need for the foreseeable future. Batches of ISMNs are sold as a one-off payment at the prices given below.

To buy ISMNs, please complete the application form. Following this, you will receive the ISMNs alongside an invoice containing the MPA’s BACS details to pay by bank transfer. If you wish to pay by cheque, this can be sent to the address below, made out to ‘Music Publishers Association Limited’. The MPA endeavours to send you your numbers (and invoice if applicable) within 14 days of receiving your form.

If you have any questions or require the ISMN form in a different format, please email [email protected]

If you are sending your ISMN form via post or paying by cheque please send to the below address:
FAO PMLL Administrator
3rd Floor,
107 Gray’s Inn Road,
London, WC1X 8TZ

 

 

ISMNs price list

Number of ISMNs Rate (excl. VAT) Rate (incl. VAT)
10 £30.00 £36.00
100 £125.00 £150.00
1,000 £337.50 £405.00
10,000 £812.50 £975.00
100,000 £1,125.00 £1,350.00
Select quantity
ISMN Application Form 2025

FAQs

  • Where do I send publication info?

    PMLL supply ISMN numbers using ISMN manager software, which links up with the International ISMN Agency’s database.

     

    There is no option to store customer items in the ISMN manager software that we use. This must be done in a separate database such as the IDNV, or wholesaler databases, etc. The software is only for generating and assigning ISMNs to publishers, composers, etc.

    For more information on the above, please contact the international ISMN Agency. They also have some FAQs which may be of some help to you.

     

  • Batches

    ISMNs can only be purchased in batches of 10, 100, or the other amounts shown on the price list.

    If you need an amount that isn’t listed, please either round up or round down the amount you wish to purchase.

    Example: if you need 20 ISMNs, we can send you 2 batches of 10. If you need 150, we can send you a batch of 100 and 5 batches of 10. If you need 17, we can only send you either 10, or 2 batches of 10.

  • Any further queries?

    PMLL process ISMN application forms, generate ISMN numbers, and supply to them to publishers. Queries relating to anything other than this need to be directed to the International ISMN Agency – unfortunately we are not able to advise on anything that occurs once we have sent the barcodes to you.

    The International ISMN Agency FAQ can be found here, and their contact information is here.