What Does BISAC Stand For and How Many Categories Should Your Book Have?

Key Takeaways

BISAC (Book Industry Standards And Communications) is a globally accepted system of nine-character codes that categorizes books, helping retailers and readers discover your work across physical and digital marketplaces.

Strategic category selection is crucial for book discoverability:

• Limit to 1-3 BISAC codes maximum – Industry best practice recommends no more than three categories per title to avoid diluting your book’s market position.

• Your primary code matters most – Some retailers only use the first listed code, so choose the most specific category that accurately represents your book’s core content.

• Be specific, not general – Select the most precise subcategory available (e.g., “GARDENING / Flowers / Orchids” instead of “GARDENING / General”) to reach your target audience effectively.

• Avoid common mistakes – Never combine specific codes with their general counterparts, mix fiction with nonfiction categories, or add codes just to reach three.

• Verify against comparable titles – Research how similar books are categorized on retailer sites to ensure your choices align with reader expectations and search behavior.

BISAC codes determine where your book appears in bookstores, online searches, bestseller lists, and promotional campaigns. Choosing them strategically can make the difference between being discovered or overlooked by your ideal readers. What does BISAC stand for, and why does it matter for your book’s success?

BISAC represents Book Industry Standards And Communications, a global system for categorizing books^[9][13]. These BISAC codes provide writers a standard way to classify their work and ensure that retailers and readers can find your book^[9]. But here’s a critical detail most authors miss: BISG best practices recommend selecting no more than three BISAC codes for any title^[12].

Choosing the right BISAC categories can make or break your book’s discoverability. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about BISAC subject codes. You’ll learn how to determine the optimal number of categories for your book.

What Is BISAC and Why It Exists

BISAC Definition and Full Form

BISAC codes are nine-character alphanumeric codes that classify books based on topical content^[1]. The acronym BISAC stands for Book Industry Standards and Communications. It represents a standardized system designed to make easier electronic transfer of subject information between trading partners in the publishing supply chain^[12].

Each BISAC subject code serves as a descriptor for a book’s content. The system organizes these codes within a hierarchical structure. The headings cover 50+ main subject areas, ranging from Business & Economics to Family & Relationships and Religion, with more than 3,600 distinct terms available to classify books^[2]. Publishers assign one or more BISAC subject codes to each title. This enables organizations in the publishing supply chain to determine appropriate shelving in brick-and-mortar stores and proper database categorization online^[2].

The system operates as a consistent syntax that the industry understands. BISAC provides a common language for sales reporting and an access point for online search functionality. It also serves as a shelving guide for physical retail locations^[2].

The Book Industry Study Group’s Role

The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) maintains and develops the BISAC subject codes system. BISG functions as the leading trade association for policy, technical standards and research related to books in all formats, including print, digital and audio^[3]. The organization’s mission centers on creating a more informed, enabled and efficient book industry^[3].

BISG has managed to keep the BISAC system running since 1995. These codes form a core element of book product metadata^[2]. The organization focuses exclusively on solutions for books rather than journals^[3]. BISG has been involved with technological advances such as bar codes and electronic business communications formats^[3].

A dedicated Subject Codes Committee within BISG maintains the headings list. This committee consists of BISG members interested in the intellectual challenge of creating, revising and amending an authority list of terms for the industry^[12]. The complete BISAC Subject Headings List is freely available online for one-to-one lookup. No fee is required to select and use codes to categorize books^[4]. Organizations requiring licensed file downloads to incorporate into internal databases can purchase Excel, PDF and Word formats. These fees support BISG’s maintenance of the code standards^[4].

Global Acceptance in Publishing

BISAC functions as the US standard topical categorization that companies throughout the supply chain use^[4]. The system has achieved widespread adoption in North American book markets. It focuses specifically on market segments and groups books into codes that sell well in this region^[15].

Many major businesses within the North American book industry rely on BISAC headings. To name just one example, Amazon, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Bowker, Indiebound, Indigo and NPD Bookscan all use these headings in different capacities^[12]. As with these retailers, most major publishers incorporate BISAC codes into their cataloging systems^[12].

BISG updates BISAC codes every fall^[1]. These annual revisions ensure the system keeps pace with industry trends and reader interests. The updates maintain long-term relevance for book categorization. All legitimate booksellers use BISAC to filter categories and organize their book inventories^[9]. The standardization ensures readers find books under similar categories whether searching in brick-and-mortar bookstores, Amazon or online library catalogs^[1].

The BISAC Subject Codes System Explained

The BISAC subject codes system hosts books through a structured hierarchy spanning 54 major sections^[12]. These sections have categories such as COMPUTERS, FICTION, HISTORY, and TRUE CRIME. Each contains many detailed descriptors representing sub-topics deemed appropriate for that major area^[12].

Main Category Sections

The system provides nearly 6,000 distinct alphanumeric codes within the 54 broad top-level categories^[16]. Major sections appear in alphabetical order, which affects how books get hosted both physically and digitally. To cite an instance, ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES, ARCHITECTURE, and ART appear before BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY, which precedes FICTION and RELIGION^[17].

The alphabetical arrangement extends beyond just major sections. Specific subcategories like Fantasy: Epic (FIC009020) are followed by Gaslamp fantasy novels (FIC009130) based on alphabetical sorting within FICTION^[18]. This organizational principle applies in all major subject areas, from JUVENILE FICTION and JUVENILE NONFICTION (ages 0-11) to YOUNG ADULT categories (readers 12-17)^[7].

Subcategory Levels

Each BISAC heading consists of two, three, or four parts. Levels are separated by forward slashes^[12]. The heading structure progresses from broad to specific and allows publishers to classify titles down to very specific subgenres and topics^[16].

A two-part heading combines the section name with a major aspect, such as “HISTORY / Medieval”^[12]. Many headings consist of only two levels, but a third level appears in certain subject areas that need more detail. An example is “HISTORY / Military / Vietnam War”^[12]. Four levels provide even greater specificity in some cases, as seen in “HISTORY / Africa / South / Republic of South Africa”^[12].

Computer-related books demonstrate this progression:

• COM059000: COMPUTERS / Computer Engineering
• COM074000: COMPUTERS / Hardware / Mobile Devices
• COM050020: COMPUTERS / Hardware / Personal Computers / Macintosh^[19]

The ‘General’ terms within the hierarchy serve two purposes. These headings apply to books covering a topic at the broadest level first. Second, they work for books of very narrow scope that cannot be better described by other terms within the relevant tree or section^[12].

The Nine-Character Code Format

Each BISAC subject code follows a consistent nine-character alphanumeric format^[12]. The code begins with a three-character alpha segment, mnemonic in nature usually. HIS represents HISTORY subject terms, MAT indicates mathematics, and FIC denotes fiction^[19]. This three-letter prefix is followed by a six-character numeric segment unique to each specific heading^[19].

The complete format appears as AAA######^[20]. To cite an instance, the code representing general southern travel in the United States is TRV025070, with the related descriptor “TRAVEL / United States / South / General”^[12]. Codes in Version 1 of the BISAC Subject Headings List had hierarchical meaning, but this no longer applies. Codes should be treated as surrogate identifiers rather than hierarchical indicators^[12].

The nine-character code itself exists for Electronic Data Interchange and serves no purpose for customers^[19]. Publishers don’t need to include this code on the book or catalog itself. The English language heading description attached to each code provides the customer-facing information^[19].

Determining the Right Number of Categories for Your Book

Industry Best Practices: 1 to 3 Codes

BISG recommends selecting no more than three BISAC codes for any title^[12]. This guideline exists for a clear reason: choosing too many categories dilutes your book’s market position rather than strengthening it^[6]. But using fewer than three codes is also acceptable when the selected codes fully describe the book^[12].

The standard practice involves using three codes for most titles^[21], yet you shouldn’t add classifications just to reach that number^[9]. Each code must be accurate and helpful to categorize your work. To name just one example, including three codes increases opportunities for search engines to point potential buyers in the right direction^[21], but only when those codes truly reflect your book’s content.

Selecting Your Primary Category

Your first BISAC code carries the most weight. Some retailers only employ the first listed code^[22]. This makes the selection your most critical decision in the categorization process. The primary code should represent the main subject of your book^[12].

Order matters by a lot. List your BISAC codes in descending order of importance^[5]. Put your primary reader audience first, then secondary and tertiary audiences. Beyond identifying the main subject, select the most specific code available rather than settling for broad categories^[12]. Your book helps readers become more successful? SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Success works better than SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / General^[5].

When to Add Secondary Categories

Secondary categories become valuable when they refine your primary classification. Think over a nonfiction book profiling a teacher using unique methods to reach resistant students^[9]. The book functions as both biography and methodology guide. This warrants these categories: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Educators and EDUCATION / Non-Formal Education, plus SOCIAL SCIENCE / Research^[9]. The third category refines the first two and signals the book involves biographical content about an educator using non-formal methods with a research component.

As with the previous example, a coloring book teaching art concepts through flower illustrations benefits from multiple codes^[5]. Start with the primary audience category (GAMES & ACTIVITIES / Coloring Books), then add codes reaching specific interests (NATURE / Plants / Flowers and ART / Techniques / Composition). This combination reaches those most likely interested and prioritizes the primary audience^[5].

What to Avoid When Choosing Multiple Codes

Never combine a specific code with its general counterpart. Using both FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Police Procedural and FICTION / Mystery & Detective / General creates redundancy^[12]. The general category is already implied within the specific one^[22].

Just as important, avoid mixing conflicting categories. Fiction codes shouldn’t appear alongside nonfiction codes^[12]. Age-conflicting categories create similar problems: JUVENILE FICTION, JUVENILE NONFICTION, YOUNG ADULT FICTION, and YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION codes shouldn’t mix with each other or with adult section headings^[12]. Many young adult titles appeal to adults, but your original target audience should match all selected BISAC categories^[22].

Only use broad General codes when your book fits no other specific code^[22].

Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing BISAC Categories

Identify Your Book’s Core Subject Matter

BISG recommends a two-step process that starts with determining the major heading that best describes your book’s content^[10]. Identify your book’s genre and bookstore category first, as this narrows down BISAC options substantially^[11]. Think over where you would search for your book in a physical bookstore; the first section off the top of your head often indicates your primary category^[11].

Focus on your book’s actual content rather than its format, language, audience, or author^[6]. Ask yourself how your target readers would search for this book^[6]. A memoir by a comedian should be categorized based on its biographical content and humorous theme, not the author’s profession alone.

Browse Relevant Category Trees

Once you’ve identified a major heading, click on that heading on the Complete BISAC Subject Heading List page to see more specific options within that category^[10]. The BISAC list is arranged in a tree structure and allows you to drill down from broad categories to precise subcategories^[12].

Repeat this browsing process for other relevant major sections if your title covers many facets^[12]. Database systems with search capability let you perform a keyword or find search on the entire list to identify all terms that might be appropriate^[12]. This detailed approach will give you a chance to find codes that might not be obvious through hierarchical browsing alone.

Select the Most Specific Code Available

Choose the most specific codes possible for your book^[10]. BISG discourages supplying both a specific and a general subject heading for the same product^[10]. Selecting GARDENING / Flowers / Orchids eliminates the need for GARDENING / Flowers / General^[7].

Your first code should be the most accurate and specific option available^[7]. Avoid selecting codes that pertain to only one chapter or reflect peripheral topics^[7]. The codes should represent your book’s content as a whole.

Verify Your Choices Against Similar Books

Check BISAC subject headings assigned to existing books by visiting retailer sites, data aggregators, or original publisher websites^[12]. This research helps you understand how comparable titles are classified and whether your choices arrange with reader expectations^[6].

Review sales and reader feedback after original publication to determine if category changes might improve discoverability^[6]. BISAC codes can be revised if needed through publisher portals that provide access to distribution systems^[5]. Reversing the order or selecting new codes sometimes positions your book better in the marketplace^[5].

How Publishers and Retailers Use BISAC Codes

Publishers and retailers rely on BISAC codes to organize inventory and connect books with readers through multiple channels^[4]. The subject heading applied to your book determines where it appears both physically and digitally throughout the supply chain^[4].

Self-Publishing Platform Requirements

Selecting BISAC codes becomes your responsibility once you self-publish^[13]. Platforms like IngramSpark and KDP limit you to a maximum of three categories during the upload process^[14]. Lulu requires at least one BISAC subject code for any book added to their bookstore or global distribution. Your first code links to their internal category system^[11]. You can expand your Amazon presence to 10 total categories by contacting KDP support after the book goes live^[8].

Traditional Publisher Practices

Traditional publishers handle BISAC code selection for their titles^[13]. Publishers provide the most specific subjects applicable to each product and use ONIX protocol to transmit this metadata to trading partners^[12]. This standardized language allows publishers to communicate where titles will best fit and sell in retail environments^[12].

Retail Store Organization

Retailers use BISAC headings to shelve books with others covering topics that are alike^[12]. Many develop mappings between BISAC codes and their physical store sections. Titles on given topics always land in consistent locations^[12]. These codes assist in getting titles on appropriate shelves in brick-and-mortar stores^[4].

Online Marketplace Categorization

Online retailers employ BISAC codes for search functionality, browsable subject pages and customer recommendations^[12]. Amazon and Barnes & Noble use these headings for subject-specific discounts, sales promotions and bestseller lists based on BISAC categories^[12]. Retailers also rely on the headings to report sales information to vendors tracking point-of-sale data^[12].

Conclusion

You now have everything you need to select the right BISAC categories for your book. In fact, understanding what BISAC stands for is just the beginning. The real power lies in choosing your 1-3 codes strategically.

Note that your primary category carries the most weight, so make it count. Select the most specific codes available, avoid redundancies and verify your choices against similar titles in your genre.

Resist the temptation to add extra categories just to reach three. Quality beats quantity every time. Apply these principles to your book, and you’ll improve its discoverability in retail channels by a lot.

FAQs

Q1. What does BISAC stand for in the book publishing industry? BISAC stands for Book Industry Standards And Communications. It’s a globally accepted system that uses nine-character alphanumeric codes to classify books based on their topical content, helping retailers and readers discover books more easily.

Q2. How many BISAC categories should I assign to my book? Industry best practices recommend selecting between 1 to 3 BISAC codes for your book. While three codes can increase discoverability, you should only use codes that accurately describe your book’s content rather than adding categories just to reach that number.

Q3. How do I select the right BISAC code for my book? Start by identifying your book’s core subject matter and the section where readers would naturally look for it. Then browse the relevant category trees to find the most specific code available. Your primary code should represent your book’s main subject, and you should verify your choices by checking how similar books are categorized.

Q4. How many total BISAC categories exist in the system? The BISAC system contains 54 major subject sections with nearly 6,000 distinct alphanumeric codes available. These range from broad categories like FICTION, HISTORY, and COMPUTERS to highly specific subcategories, providing publishers with detailed classification options.

Q5. Can I use both general and specific BISAC codes for the same book? No, you should avoid using both a general code and its specific counterpart for the same book. For example, don’t combine FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Police Procedural with FICTION / Mystery & Detective / General, as this creates redundancy. Always choose the most specific code that accurately describes your content.

References

[1] – https://scribemedia.com/blog/bisac-codes
[2] – https://www.ibpa-online.org/news/591421/Book-Industry-Study-Group-BISG-Announces-Release-of-BISAC-2021.htm
[3] – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_Industry_Study_Group
[4] – https://www.bisg.org/BISAC-Subject-Codes-main
[5] – https://prbythebook.com/understanding-bisac-codes-how-to-make-them-work-for-you/
[6] – https://www.supadu.com/blogs/news-and-views/top-tips-to-help-you-navigate-the-bisac-selection-process
[7] – https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/bisac-subject-codes
[8] – https://cassandracstirling.com/2021/10/08/book-publishing-codes-categories/
[9] – https://blog.lulu.com/bisac-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/
[10] – https://www.bisg.org/selecting-a-BISAC-code
[11] – https://blog.lulu.com/genres-bisac-subject-codes-and-you/
[12] – https://www.bisg.org/BISAC-FAQ
[13] – https://www.writersdigest.com/what-are-bisac-codes-how-do-i-use-them
[14] – https://1106design.com/how-to-choose-the-right-bisac-categories-for-your-book/
[15] – https://www.booknetcanada.ca/blog/2021/2/16/the-whys-of-main-subjects-in-thema-and-bisac
[16] – https://danieljtortora.com/blog/how-to-choose-bisac-codes-for-books
[17] – https://www.bisg.org/complete-bisac-subject-headings-list
[18] – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BISAC_Subject_Headings
[19] – https://www.econtentpro.com/blog/bisac-code-classification/94
[20] – https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/using-bisac-subject-headings
[21] – https://frontedgepublishing.com/metadata-101-how-do-i-find-bisac-codes-for-a-new-book-5-tips-for-success/
[22] – https://firebrandtech.com/resources/metadata-minute-issue-29-common-publisher-questions-about-bisac-codes