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BISAC Code Lookup Tool

Search and find the correct BISAC subject codes for your book. Essential for ISBN registration, library cataloging, and wide distribution.

BISAC Code Lookup Tool

Find the correct BISAC subject codes for your book. Required for distribution through IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers.

90 BISAC codes found

CodeSubject HeadingCopy
FIC000000FICTION / General
FIC002000FICTION / Action & Adventure
FIC004000FICTION / Classics
FIC009000FICTION / Fantasy / General
FIC009020FICTION / Fantasy / Epic
FIC009030FICTION / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
FIC009040FICTION / Fantasy / Urban
FIC009050FICTION / Fantasy / Paranormal
FIC009060FICTION / Fantasy / Romantic
FIC010000FICTION / Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology
FIC014000FICTION / Historical / General
FIC015000FICTION / Horror
FIC016000FICTION / Humorous / General
FIC019000FICTION / Literary
FIC022000FICTION / Mystery & Detective / General
FIC022020FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / General
FIC022060FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Historical
FIC022070FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Police Procedural
FIC022100FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Amateur Sleuth
FIC027000FICTION / Romance / General
FIC027020FICTION / Romance / Contemporary
FIC027050FICTION / Romance / Historical / General
FIC027070FICTION / Romance / Paranormal
FIC027110FICTION / Romance / Romantic Comedy
FIC027120FICTION / Romance / Science Fiction
FIC027250FICTION / Romance / New Adult
FIC028000FICTION / Science Fiction / General
FIC028010FICTION / Science Fiction / Alien Contact
FIC028020FICTION / Science Fiction / Cyberpunk
FIC028030FICTION / Science Fiction / Space Opera
FIC028040FICTION / Science Fiction / Military
FIC028060FICTION / Science Fiction / Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic
FIC030000FICTION / Suspense
FIC031000FICTION / Thrillers / General
FIC031010FICTION / Thrillers / Espionage
FIC031020FICTION / Thrillers / Legal
FIC031080FICTION / Thrillers / Psychological
FIC031090FICTION / Thrillers / Supernatural
FIC043000FICTION / Coming of Age
FIC045000FICTION / Family Life / General
FIC066000FICTION / Small Town & Rural
BIO000000BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / General
BIO006000BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Historical
BIO026000BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs
BUS000000BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / General
BUS012000BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Development / Business Development
BUS025000BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Entrepreneurship
BUS043000BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Marketing / General
BUS050000BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Personal Finance / General
BUS050020BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Personal Finance / Investing
BUS050040BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Personal Finance / Budgeting
BUS107000BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Personal Success
CKB000000COOKING / General
CKB070000COOKING / Health & Healing / General
CKB101000COOKING / Quick & Easy
EDU000000EDUCATION / General
FAM000000FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / General
FAM034000FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Parenting / General
HEA000000HEALTH & FITNESS / General
HEA010000HEALTH & FITNESS / Diets & Nutrition
HEA007000HEALTH & FITNESS / Exercise / General
HEA036000HEALTH & FITNESS / Healthy Living
HEA042000HEALTH & FITNESS / Yoga
OCC000000BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / General
OCC010000BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Meditation
OCC011000BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Mindfulness & Meditation
PSY000000PSYCHOLOGY / General
SEL000000SELF-HELP / General
SEL016000SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / General
SEL021000SELF-HELP / Motivational & Inspirational
SEL024000SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Self-Esteem
SEL027000SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Success
SEL031000SELF-HELP / Stress Management
SEL035000SELF-HELP / Self-Management / Time Management
SEL040000SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Happiness
JUV000000JUVENILE FICTION / General
JUV001000JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / General
JUV002000JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / General
JUV012000JUVENILE FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / General
JUV037000JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy & Magic
JUV028000JUVENILE FICTION / Science Fiction / General
JNF000000JUVENILE NONFICTION / General
JNF001000JUVENILE NONFICTION / Activity Books / General
YAF000000YOUNG ADULT FICTION / General
YAF019000YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / General
YAF052000YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / General
GAM000000GAMES & ACTIVITIES / General
GAM007000GAMES & ACTIVITIES / Puzzles
GAM019000GAMES & ACTIVITIES / Word & Word Search
GAM017000GAMES & ACTIVITIES / Sudoku

Pro tip: Most retailers allow 2-3 BISAC codes per book. Choose the most specific code that matches your content, then add 1-2 broader codes for discoverability.

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Understanding BISAC Codes: The Complete Guide for Authors

BISAC codes are the backbone of book classification in the publishing industry. Created and maintained by the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), these standardized subject headings ensure your book reaches the right readers through proper cataloging and shelving — both physical and digital.

Whether you're distributing through IngramSpark, registering an ISBN with Bowker, or submitting to libraries via OverDrive, you'll need accurate BISAC codes. Choosing the wrong codes means your book gets shelved in the wrong section — literally and figuratively.

📚 BISAC Code Structure

BISAC codes follow a hierarchical structure:

  • Three-letter prefix — indicates the major category (FIC = Fiction, BUS = Business, SEL = Self-Help)
  • Six-digit number — specifies the sub-category and topic
  • Example: FIC028000 = FICTION / Science Fiction / General

BISAC vs. Amazon Categories: What's the Difference?

BISAC Codes

  • Used by bookstores, libraries, and distributors
  • Required for IngramSpark, Bowker, and wide distribution
  • Standardized across the industry
  • Updated annually by the BISG
  • Most platforms accept 1-3 BISAC codes per book

Amazon Categories

  • Amazon's own classification system
  • You choose 2 categories on KDP (can request up to 10)
  • Amazon-specific, not transferable to other retailers
  • More granular than BISAC with 10,000+ subcategories
  • Determines your bestseller lists

The bottom line: If you're Amazon-exclusive (KDP Select), you primarily need Amazon categories. If you distribute wide through IngramSpark or sell to libraries, you need proper BISAC codes too.

Common BISAC Code Prefixes

FIC
Fiction
BUS
Business & Economics
SEL
Self-Help
HEA
Health & Fitness
JUV
Juvenile Fiction
JNF
Juvenile Non-Fiction
BIO
Biography
CKB
Cooking
TRV
Travel
POE
Poetry
REL
Religion
SCI
Science

💡 BISAC Tips for Self-Publishers

  • Choose 3 codes — Most distributors accept up to 3. Use specific sub-categories, not just the broad "General" option.
  • Be specific — "FIC027020 — FICTION / Romance / Contemporary" is better than "FIC027000 — FICTION / Romance / General"
  • Match your Amazon categories — Choose BISAC codes that align with your Amazon category strategy for consistency across retailers
  • Update with new editions — BISAC codes are updated annually. When you publish a new edition, check if more specific codes are now available.
  • Check the official BISG list — The complete list is at bisg.org. Our tool makes it easy to search, but always verify against the official source for distribution.
💡

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a BISAC code?

BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications) codes are standardized subject codes used to classify books by topic. They are maintained by the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) and are required for ISBN registration, library cataloging, and distribution to bookstores and online retailers.

How many BISAC codes should I assign to my book?

Most distribution platforms allow 3-5 BISAC codes per title. Choose your primary code to be the most specific match for your book, then add 2-4 secondary codes that capture related aspects. The first BISAC code is considered the primary classification.

Are BISAC codes the same as Amazon categories?

No, they are different systems. BISAC codes are industry-standard classification codes used across the entire book trade. Amazon categories are Amazon-specific browse categories. However, Amazon does use BISAC codes to initially assign your book to browse categories when you upload via certain distributors.

Do I need BISAC codes for self-publishing on KDP?

KDP does not require you to manually enter BISAC codes — they assign categories through their own system. However, if you distribute through IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, or other aggregators, you will need to select appropriate BISAC codes. They are also required if you purchase an ISBN.

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