Understanding the Identifiers Printed on Publications
Learn where language and publication identifiers appear in JW publications and how to use them.
Publications are produced in hundreds of languages. To keep titles and languages organized, a short identifier is often printed near the QR code on the back cover or in the publisher’s information section. The identifier follows a consistent pattern that names the publication and the language.
Where the identifier appears
- Back cover near the QR code
- Publisher’s information page or section
- On some books, on the spine
- On small items such as invitations or cards, in the footer
Not every item includes an identifier. When present, it provides a quick way to look up the title and the language.
Identifier format
pubMnemonic-wtlocale
pubMnemonic identifies the publication. wtlocale identifies the language.
Examples of the pattern:
- scl-CH
- fg-S
- osg-K
- lff-E
- w-E
- g-S
The letters vary by title and language. The hyphen separates the two parts.
How to identify the publication
Method 1: Check the publisher’s page
Many printed items list the publication name in English and in the local language on the publisher’s information page.
Method 2: Use Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY™
- Open wol.jw.org in a language you understand.
- Enter only the first segment of the identifier in the search box, for example lff, sjj, g, or w.
- The search results typically reveal the full title.
lff→ Enjoy Life Forever!sjj→ “Sing Out Joyfully” to Jehovahg→ Awake!w→ The Watchtower
Tip: search only the publication segment before the hyphen. If multiple results appear, use the context of the item or artwork to choose the correct title.
How to identify the language
Method 1: Use JW.ORG® search and language selector
- Go to jw.org® and search for the language segment of the identifier.
- In the results, under Change Language section. The matching language name appears in that list.
Method 2: Check the publisher’s page
Many items display the language name in English and in the local language on the publisher’s page of the publication. This helps when an abbreviation is unfamiliar.
Notes: language segments use WT locale abbreviations. Some are one letter, some are two or three, and some indicate a regional variant. Resolve the meaning by using the Change Language list on jw.org® rather than assuming the WT locale code.
Why these identifiers help
- Identify the title when the publication name is not printed on the item
- Confirm the language for invitations, workbooks, cards, and other small formats
- Speed up searches on Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY™ and jw.org®
- Reduce errors when organizing literature in multiple languages
Edge cases and tips
- Older publications may not include a QR code, but the publication identifier still appears in the same area on the back cover or in the publisher’s page. On books, it may also appear on the spine. On small items, look in the footer.
- If an identifier is smudged or partially missing, try searching the visible portion of the publication segment or compare with similar items.
- Digital PDFs match the printed layout. The identifier appears in the same place as in print and may also be included in the PDF metadata.
Summary
The printed identifier is a compact key. The first segment names the publication. The second segment names the language. Use wol.jw.org to resolve the publication and use the Change Language list on jw.org® to resolve the language. This approach works for standard books and for small items where a full title or language label is not visible.