Complete BISAC Subject Headings List

Image of a person in a bookstore environment, crouching down to a lower shelf and reading the back of a book

Need to choose a BISAC Subject Heading?

Simply determine the major heading that best describes the content of your book. You can click on any heading below for more specific headings within that category.  

Not sure how to select the right code? Check out our FAQ. 

If you can't find the code you're looking for after reviewing all the pages below, we recommend you use whatever codes currently best represent your book. If you want to suggest a new code for future BISAC additions, you can submit a suggestion here

Providing the full list so that you can select a BISAC code to categorize your publication is a free service from BISG. You only need a paid license to download the entire list for use in business systems. 

Please note: If your title doesn’t have subject content, i.e. a blank book, please use the Non-Classifiable term below. Otherwise, use the Subject/General term in the closest descriptive area. 

NON000000: NON-CLASSIFIABLE

© 2023, Book Industry Study Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of these lists or any attached documents may be distributed or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the Book Industry Study Group, Inc.


Subscribe to BISG's Newsletter

 Get the latest industry news, from a diverse slate of voices, delivered to your inbox.  Sign up

View from above of a desk with an open laptop, books lined up neatly, a pair of glasses, a camera, and apple, and a small pottted plant. The laptop is cropped at the keyboard, and most of the space is empty desk.