tools / fake test data / generate fake isbn numbers (with valid check digit)
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Fake ISBN generator

Generate ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 numbers with valid check digits. Useful for book catalog testing, library system seeding, and bibliographic database staging.

beginner seedable

Sample output

fakeit isbn --version=13 --count=3 --seed=42

9780306406157
9781861972712
9781234567897

fakeit isbn --version=10 --count=2
0306406152
1861972716

Safe vs unsafe examples

InputResult
9780306406157 (ISBN-13 valid)safe to use
0306406152 (ISBN-10 valid — 'The C Programming Language')safe to use
9781861972712 (ISBN-13 valid)safe to use
**WARNING**: 9780306406158 (CHECK DIGIT WRONG — ends in 8, should be 7)avoid
1234567890 (PUBLISHED ISBN-10 — may be a real book; test ISBNs should not collide with reality if possible)avoid

Edge cases & caveats

ISBN-13 check: sum digits[i] × (1 if i even else 3), mod 10, subtract from 10. ISBN-10 check: sum digits[i] × (10-i) for i=0..8, mod 11, subtract from 11.

Note: see the warning above. Treat this page as a starting point, not a security control.

Common use cases

Generate fake data at scale
fakeit generates realistic fake test data — names, emails, IBANs, ISBNs, phones, addresses. Seedable, schemable, MIT-licensed, no telemetry.
Open fakeit  

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realistic names for testing · realistic names for testing · realistic names for testing · realistic names for testing