If a journal were a person, ISSN would be its passport
If a journal were a person, ISSN would be its passport.
Without it, the journal may exist formally, but in the international scholarly ecosystem it is effectively invisible.
That is why ISSN is one of the very first steps when launching an academic journal or an electronic publishing platform.
Let’s explain it without bureaucracy or complex terminology: what ISSN is, why it matters, how to obtain it, and what mistakes editorial teams most often make.
What is ISSN in simple terms
What does ISSN stand for?
ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is an international standard identifier for serial publications.
It consists of 8 digits, separated by a hyphen, for example: 2960-1649.
ISSN is assigned not to an article, but to the journal or serial as a whole.
ISSN vs ISBN: what is the difference?
A simple analogy:
- ISBN — the passport of a book
- ISSN — the passport of a journal
A book is published once, while a journal is issued regularly.
That is why they require different identifiers.
History of the ISSN standard
Why a unified identifier became necessary
In the 1970s, academic journals began to proliferate worldwide.
Titles were duplicated, languages differed, and formats varied.
A universal solution was needed — and that is how ISSN was created.
Today, ISSN forms the backbone of scholarly infrastructure, supporting libraries, indexing services, and digital databases.
Which publications require an ISSN
Academic journals
Any scholarly journal — print or electronic — should have an ISSN if it:
- is published periodically;
- contains academic or research content;
- aims for international visibility.
Electronic journals and online platforms
Even if a journal has never been printed, it still requires an Online ISSN.
Serial and continuing publications
ISSN is also assigned to:
- proceedings and collected volumes;
- bulletins;
- yearbooks;
- conference series.
Print ISSN vs Online ISSN: what’s the difference?
When a Print ISSN is required
A Print ISSN is assigned if the journal:
- is published in hard copy;
- has a stable print format;
- is physically distributed.
When an Online ISSN is required
An Online ISSN is needed if the journal:
- is published on a website;
- is distributed in PDF or digital formats;
- maintains an electronic archive.
Can one ISSN be used for everything?
No.
Print and electronic versions are treated as separate publications, even if the content is identical.
This is one of the most common editorial mistakes.
How ISSN is structured
An ISSN consists of:
- 7 core digits;
- 1 check digit (which may be X).
ISSN does not encode country, publisher, or subject area.
It is an identifier, not a classification code.
Who assigns ISSN
National ISSN Centres
Each country has its own national ISSN centre, responsible for processing publisher applications.
The role of the international coordination centre
The global system is coordinated by the ISSN International Centre,
which maintains the central registry and oversees ISSN standards.
How to obtain an ISSN: step-by-step
Step 1. Prepare the journal website or print edition
The journal website must clearly display:
- the journal title;
- subject scope;
- publication frequency;
- editorial board;
- an archive or at least one published issue.
Step 2. Submit the application
ISSN applications are free of charge and submitted through the national ISSN centre.
All information must exactly match what appears on the website.
Step 3. Review and assignment
Processing time ranges from a few days to several weeks.
Once approved, the ISSN becomes official and permanent.
Common mistakes when applying for ISSN
Website-related issues
Applications are often rejected due to:
- missing archives;
- temporary or incomplete pages;
- mismatch between language, scope, and stated discipline.
Incorrect use of ISSN
Typical errors include:
- using one ISSN for both print and online versions;
- indicating “ISSN pending”;
- displaying ISSN outside the main pages.
How to correctly display ISSN
ISSN placement on the website
ISSN should appear:
- on the homepage;
- in the “About the Journal” section;
- in the website footer.
ISSN in PDFs and metadata
ISSN must be included:
- in article PDFs;
- in OJS settings;
- in Crossref XML metadata.
ISSN and DOI
Why DOI registration is impossible without ISSN
To register DOI, a journal must have an ISSN.
Without it, Crossref will not accept metadata.
ISSN and DOAJ
The role of ISSN in DOAJ applications
DOAJ verifies:
- presence of ISSN;
- correctness of version (print vs online);
- consistency with the journal website.
An ISSN error results in automatic rejection.
ISSN and Scopus / Web of Science
ISSN is used as a key identifier for:
- journal evaluation;
- indexing and monitoring;
- title changes and journal history tracking.
Can ISSN be changed or replaced?
When a new ISSN is required
A new ISSN is issued if:
- the journal title changes;
- the publication format changes;
- a new version of the journal is created.
Best practices for working with ISSN
- always separate Print and Online ISSN;
- ensure full consistency with the website;
- use ISSN across all systems;
- never invent or self-assign an ISSN.
Conclusion
ISSN is the foundation of an academic journal.
Without it, DOI, DOAJ, Scopus, or international recognition are simply impossible.
ISSN does not provide rankings or metrics by itself —
but nothing else works without it.
