ISSN

Writing & Everyday abbreviation · Citation and Bibliography

ISSN
Stands forInternational Standard Serial Number
CategoriesWriting & Everyday

ISSN stands for International Standard Serial Number, a citation and bibliography abbreviation also used in entertainment.

An eight-digit code identifying a serial publication, such as a journal, magazine, newspaper or annual, rather than any single issue. Print and online versions of the same journal usually have separate ISSNs.

Example: The journal's print ISSN is listed on the masthead beside its electronic ISSN.

Usage notes

ISSNs are written as two groups of four digits joined by a hyphen, as in 0028-0836 for Nature, and the final check character may be an X. The ISSN International Centre in Paris coordinates a network of national centers. Unlike an ISBN, an ISSN identifies a whole continuing series, not a single item.

More citation and bibliography abbreviations

  • fig. – Figure
  • fn. – Footnote
  • fol. – Folio
  • illus. – Illustrator or illustrated by
  • intro. – Introduction
  • ISBN – International Standard Book Number
  • l. – Line
  • LCCN – Library of Congress Control Number
  • ll. – Lines
  • MHRA – Modern Humanities Research Association (style)
  • MLA – Modern Language Association (style)
  • MS – Manuscript

See all 58 citation and bibliography abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.