FAQ
Everything you might want to know about cataloging, scanning, lending, importing, and pricing. Still curious? Email us.
Shelfmade is a home library app for serious readers. It lets you catalog every book you own by scanning barcodes or photographing entire shelves with AI, track who has borrowed which book, see what you already own before buying again, and discover books you've forgotten about.
Sign up for a free account, open the Add page, and either scan a barcode with your phone camera, photograph an entire shelf with the AI scanner (Pro), or search by title or author. Covers and metadata fill in automatically. Most users catalog hundreds of books in a single afternoon.
On Pro, the AI whole-shelf scan is the fastest method — one photo of a shelf typically adds 20 to 40 books at once. On Free, barcode scanning is the fastest, since each ISBN scan completes in under a second. You can also upload a CSV export from Goodreads or LibraryThing on Pro.
Yes. The Instant Shelf Check (barcode scan to see if you already own a book) works fully offline once your library has synced. You can also browse, search, and edit your library offline; changes sync when you reconnect.
Shelfmade typically identifies 90 to 98 percent of clearly visible spines on a well-lit shelf. You always review staged results before importing — nothing is added to your library without your confirmation.
Yes. For older books or editions without a printed barcode, search by title and author or use the AI shelf scan, which reads spines visually rather than from barcodes.
Any modern iPhone or Android phone with a working rear camera. Shelfmade runs in your mobile browser — no app install required — and also works on desktop with a webcam.
Open any book in your library, tap Lend, enter the borrower's name and an optional due date. The book moves into your Lending dashboard. When it's overdue, send a one-tap gentle reminder. Mark returned to close the loan and keep a history.
Yes. Pick a username in Settings and your library becomes available at shelfmadeai.com/u/yourname as a beautiful read-only profile. You control which sections are visible: currently reading, wishlist, favorite authors, and reading stats.
Yes — on Pro you can invite up to 2 additional household members to share one combined library. Each person has their own read status; the wishlist is shared. Perfect for couples or families with one combined collection.
Yes. Export your library from Goodreads as a CSV (Goodreads → My Books → Import/Export → Export Library), then upload the file in Shelfmade Settings → Import. Your reading status, ratings, and dates come with you. CSV import is a Pro feature.
Yes. Both export to CSV in a format Shelfmade recognizes. Upload the CSV in Settings → Import on Pro.
Yes, anytime — even on Free. Go to Settings → Export to download a CSV of every book, including covers, authors, locations, ratings, and reading status. Your books are always yours.
Yes. Free supports up to 100 books, unlimited barcode scanning and manual entry, the lending tracker, two shelf locations, and auto-filled metadata. No credit card required and no time limit.
Pro is $4.99 per month, or $34.99 per year ($2.92/month — a 42% saving). All Pro features are included on both intervals. Founding members lock in $2.99/month or $24.99/year forever.
Yes. Cancel from Settings. You keep Pro access until the end of your current billing period, and your full library stays available — it just becomes read-only if you exceed 100 books on Free.
Yes — a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans. Refunds are processed by our payment provider, Paddle.
Go to Settings → Account → Delete account. Your library and all personal data are permanently deleted within 30 days.
