How to sell books and textbooks for cash in the UK

Books are hard to let go of. But shelves fill up, students graduate, and house moves make you realise just how heavy a book collection is. Some books have real resale value; others are better donated. Here's how to tell the difference.

Books that are worth selling

• University textbooks — especially recent editions in subjects like medicine, law, engineering, computing and business.
• Professional and technical books — reference books, certification guides, coding books.
• Collectible and first editions — signed copies, first printings, special editions.
• Box sets — complete series in good condition.
• Illustrated, art and photography books — hardbacks in good condition.
• Niche non-fiction — specialist subjects that are hard to find.

General paperback fiction usually has low resale value individually and may be better as a bulk lot or donated to a charity shop.

What affects value

• Edition — for textbooks, the current edition is worth far more than older ones.
• Condition — no water damage, torn pages or loose spines. Light highlighting in textbooks may be acceptable; heavy annotation reduces value.
• ISBN — the 10- or 13-digit number on the back identifies the exact edition.
• Access codes — for textbooks, an unused online access code can add value. Used codes don't.

Preparing books for sale

1. Remove bookmarks, receipts, notes and anything tucked inside.
2. Wipe dust off covers.
3. Note any damage honestly.
4. Group sets and series together.

Selling options

ISBN-scanning book-buying apps exist for paperbacks, but often offer pennies for common titles. Selling individually online takes time for each listing. With SendForCash, you can describe valuable books or sets and get an instant cash offer. Accept and we email a free postage label, and we pay the same day we inspect. A collection of textbooks or a quality set is a good fit. Our minimum offer is £15.

Packing books

• Wrap books in a plastic bag first to protect against damp.
• Pack them tightly in a small, strong box — books are heavy, so smaller boxes are better.
• Fill gaps so they can't move.
• Protect corners of hardbacks with extra padding.

How to find the edition and ISBN

The ISBN is the most useful thing you can give a buyer. It identifies the exact edition, format and publisher.

• Where to find it: on the back cover above the barcode, and on the copyright page inside the first few pages.
• ISBN-10 vs ISBN-13: books published since 2007 have a 13-digit ISBN starting 978 or 979. Older books may only have a 10-digit ISBN. Either works.
• Edition: the copyright page usually lists the edition (for example "Fifth edition") and printing history. For textbooks, the edition is the single biggest factor in value.

Books printed before ISBNs became standard in the 1970s won't have one. Describe the title, author, publisher and year instead.

Textbooks: timing matters

University reading lists change, and publishers regularly bring out new editions. When a new edition arrives, demand for the previous one usually falls. If you've finished a module and the book isn't one you'll refer back to, selling sooner tends to be better than keeping it on a shelf for a few years.

Practical tips for students:

• Check your course still uses it. If a module has switched to a new edition, older copies are worth less.
• Keep it clean. Write in pencil if you can, so notes can be erased.
• Unused access codes: if your textbook came with an online access code you never redeemed, mention it.
• Sell as a bundle if you've got a set of books for the same course.

First editions and collectible books

Identifying a true first edition can be tricky. Some signs to look for:

• The copyright page states "First edition" or "First published" with no later reprint dates.
• A number line (a row like 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1) — on many publishers' books, the lowest number shows the printing. A "1" usually means a first printing.
• Original dust jacket in good condition. For collectible hardbacks, the jacket can matter a great deal.

If you think you have a genuinely rare or valuable book — an early printing of a famous title, a signed copy from a notable author — consider a specialist bookseller or auction house for an appraisal. For quality collectible books in good condition, you can also get an instant offer from us and compare.

Children's books and sets

Complete sets of popular series — boxed sets of children's classics, illustrated editions, picture book collections — can be worth selling, particularly in good condition. Individual well-loved picture books usually aren't, and are often welcome at charity shops, schools and nurseries.

Condition grades in plain English

• As new: unread or looks unread, no marks, crisp spine.
• Very good: read carefully, minimal wear, no writing or highlighting.
• Good: some wear to covers, a creased spine, possibly a name inside the cover or light highlighting.
• Acceptable: heavier wear, notes or highlighting throughout, but all pages present and readable.

Water damage, mould, missing pages and broken bindings mean a book isn't in a sellable state.

Comics, graphic novels and magazines

Graphic novel collections and manga box sets sell well when complete. Single comics and back issues of magazines are more specialist; key issues of collectible comics may be worth valuing separately. Describe what you have and we'll make an offer if it's above our £15 minimum.

Combining with other media

If you're clearing a bookcase, there are probably DVDs, CDs and vinyl nearby. See our guide to selling vinyl, CDs and DVDs. Board games and jigsaws often live on the same shelves — see selling board games.

FAQ

Do you buy old paperbacks?

Individually they're unlikely to meet our £15 minimum. A large collection or a complete series might.

Can I sell textbooks with highlighting?

Light highlighting is usually fine. Mention it when you describe the condition.

Do you buy old encyclopaedias?

Older encyclopaedia sets generally have little resale value and are heavy to post. Charity shops or book recycling are better options.

What about signed books?

Signed books can be worth more. Describe the signature and edition when you get your offer.