How to Find BISAC Codes for Your Book: The Ultimate Easy Guide for Authors

Key Takeaways

BISAC codes are free classification tools that determine where your book appears in stores and online, directly impacting discoverability across the entire publishing supply chain.

Essential strategies for maximizing your book’s visibility:

• Access codes for free at BISG.org—over 3,600 standardized categories are available without fees or permissions required for authors and publishers.

• Choose up to three codes maximum, with your first being the most specific option possible, as some retailers only display books using the primary code.

• Think like your reader when selecting categories—browse where your target audience would naturally look rather than overthinking the classification process.

• Review codes annually since BISG updates the list each fall and retail algorithms evolve, making backlist titles benefit from periodic adjustments.

• Maintain consistency across formats—use identical BISAC codes for ebooks, paperbacks, hardcovers, and audiobooks to ensure unified marketing and metadata tracking.

The right BISAC codes function as your book’s GPS in the publishing world, guiding readers directly to your title among millions of options. Taking time to select strategic, specific codes now pays dividends in long-term discoverability and sales. You face over 3000 categories and subcategories when selecting the right BISAC codes for your book^[11]. These codes determine where retailers and distributors place your book. This affects who finds it.

BISAC codes may not excite you, but they matter for your book’s discoverability^[12]. You need to know what BISAC is and how these subject codes work. This is the first step toward maximizing your book’s visibility in online and physical bookstores.

We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about BISAC categories in this piece. You’ll learn how to access the BISAC codes list and choose the perfect codes for your book. Let’s get started!

Understanding BISAC Subject Codes for Books

BISAC stands for Book Industry Standards and Communications. The Book Industry Study Group maintains this standardized classification system used in the publishing supply chain^[6]. Each BISAC code consists of a nine-character alphanumeric code paired with a descriptive heading that categorizes books by their topical content^[6][13].

The system organizes books into 52 main subject areas with over 3,600 distinct terms^[13]. These categories range from Fiction and Biography to specialized topics like Computers and Foreign Language Study^[14]. Each heading can include multiple layers of specificity, separated by forward slashes. To cite an instance, HEALTH & FITNESS / Diet & Nutrition / Weight Loss shows how the system narrows from broad to specific^[3].

BISAC subject codes serve a practical purpose: they tell retailers, libraries and distributors what your book is about^[4]. This information guides where your book gets shelved in physical stores and which online database categories it appears in^[13]. Wholesalers use these codes to monitor inventory and maximize seasonal sales^[15].

BISG releases a new version of the BISAC codes list every fall^[6]. Publishers can access and use these codes without any fees or permissions^[2]. The best practice recommends selecting no more than three BISAC codes to categorize any title^[6][7]. Your main code should represent the main subject and use the most specific heading possible rather than general categories^[7].

How to Find and Access BISAC Codes

You can access the complete BISAC subject headings list on the BISG website at BISG.org/complete-bisac-subject-headings-list^[5]. The whole list is published free of charge^[6], and there’s no fee to select and use BISAC codes to categorize your book^[2]. You don’t need permission to use these codes either^[2].

BISG recommends a straightforward two-step process^[7]. First, determine the major heading that best describes your book’s content. Click on any heading on the Complete BISAC Subject Heading page to see more specific options within that category^[8]. Second, select the specific term that describes your book^[7]. To cite an instance, if you’ve written a police procedural mystery, you would select “FIC022020 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Police Procedural”^[7].

The list changes from time to time as new entries are added and less common headings are removed or rearranged^[5]. Best practice recommends using the most current version to classify both new releases and backlist titles^[9].

If you need to incorporate BISAC codes into your internal databases or business systems, BISG members get free downloads of the full list in Word and Excel formats^[10]. Non-members can purchase licensed downloads with pricing based on annual book-related revenue, ranging from $590 to $3,590 depending on revenue tier^[10].

You can find BISAC subject headings for existing titles on retailer sites, data aggregators, or the original publisher’s website^[6].

Choosing and Managing BISAC Codes for Your Book

Start by standing in your reader’s shoes. Which category would they browse when searching for books like yours^[11]? This change in point of view helps you choose the obvious category rather than overthinking the selection process.

BISG recommends selecting no more than three BISAC codes for any title^[1]. Order them by importance, as some retailers only use the first listed code^[1]. Your first code should be the most specific option available, not a broad or General category^[3]. To name just one example, HEALTH & FITNESS / Diet & Nutrition / Weight Loss works better than HEALTH & FITNESS / General^[3].

Doubling up on General and specific subjects should be avoided. If you select FICTION / Christian / Contemporary, skip FICTION / Christian / General, since the General category is implied already^[1]. Broad codes work only if your book fits no other specific option^[1].

Your codes should stay consistent in formats of all types^[1]. Ebooks, paperbacks, hardcovers and audiobooks need the same BISAC categories to maintain continuity for marketing and metadata tracking.

Conflicting codes should never be mixed. Don’t combine FICTION and NON-FICTION codes on the same title, and avoid age-conflicting categories like Juvenile and YA together^[3].

Your codes need a review each year^[1]. BISG updates the list each year, and retail algorithms change over time, so backlist titles may benefit from code adjustments.

Conclusion

You now have everything you need to find and select the right BISAC codes for your book. Browse the free BISG list, think like your readers would, and choose up to three specific codes that best represent your content.

Note that your main code matters most since some retailers only use that one. Keep it specific and review it annually. Your book’s discoverability will improve by a lot. Happy categorizing!

FAQs

Q1. What does BISAC stand for and what is its purpose? BISAC stands for Book Industry Standards and Communications. It’s a standardized classification system maintained by the Book Industry Study Group that categorizes books by their topical content. These codes help retailers, libraries, and distributors determine where to place your book both in physical stores and online databases, directly impacting your book’s discoverability.

Q2. Where can I find the complete list of BISAC codes? You can access the complete BISAC subject headings list for free on the BISG website at BISG.org/complete-bisac-subject-headings-list. There’s no fee to view or use these codes to categorize your book, and you don’t need permission to apply them. The list is updated annually each fall with new entries and revisions.

Q3. How many BISAC codes should I assign to my book? The best practice is to select no more than three BISAC codes for any title. Your first code should be the most important and most specific to your book’s content, as some retailers only use the primary code. Avoid using broad or “General” categories unless your book genuinely doesn’t fit any specific option.

Q4. How do I choose the right BISAC codes for my book? Think like your reader and ask yourself which category they would browse when searching for books like yours. Select the most specific code available rather than general categories, and spread your codes across different relevant categories. Avoid mixing conflicting codes, such as combining FICTION and NON-FICTION or different age categories on the same title.

Q5. How often should I update my book’s BISAC codes? You should review and update your BISAC codes annually. The BISG releases a new version of the codes list every fall, and retail algorithms change over time. Regular reviews ensure your backlist titles remain properly categorized and maintain optimal discoverability as the classification system evolves.

References

[1] – https://firebrandtech.com/resources/metadata-minute-issue-29-common-publisher-questions-about-bisac-codes
[2] – https://www.bisg.org/BISAC-Subject-Codes-main
[3] – https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/bisac-subject-codes
[4] – https://www.booknetcanada.ca/blog/2024/3/28/start-your-engines-new-bisac-codes-have-arrived-and-booknets-systems-are-updated
[5] – https://www.writersdigest.com/what-are-bisac-codes-how-do-i-use-them
[6] – https://www.bisg.org/BISAC-FAQ
[7] – https://www.bisg.org/selecting-a-BISAC-code
[8] – https://www.bisg.org/complete-bisac-subject-headings-list
[9] – https://booknetcanada.ca/blog/2025/03/07/navigate-the-new-bisac-2024-codes-like-a-pro/
[10] – https://www.bisg.org/purchasedownload-complete-bisac-list
[11] – https://frontedgepublishing.com/metadata-101-how-do-i-find-bisac-codes-for-a-new-book-5-tips-for-success/
[12] – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n0EPtD8DeA
[13] – https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/using-bisac-subject-headings
[14] – https://blog.lulu.com/bisac-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/
[15] – https://greenleafbookgroup.com/learning-center/book-distribution/understanding-the-difference-between-bisac-codes-amazon-categories