# Audiobookshelf series in the wrong order: sequence numbers that sort correctly

> Audiobookshelf sorts a series by the number at the start of each book's sequence. Use plain numbers or decimals like 3.01, and no spaces, so books sort right.

Source: https://soundleafapp.com/server/audiobookshelf-series-order/
Published: 2026-10-18

---

Audiobookshelf sorts the books in a series by their sequence number, and it only reads the number at the start of it. `2` and `2.5` sort fine. `1pt2` counts as 1, and `Book 3` counts as 0, so those books end up in the wrong place.

Give every book a plain number, or a decimal for parts, and the series sorts the way you expect.

## How does Audiobookshelf sort a series?

Each book in a series has a sequence, the book's number in that series. It's stored as text, so it can hold anything you type. To sort, though, Audiobookshelf turns it into a number by reading the digits at the start and ignoring the rest:

| Sequence | Sorted as |
| --- | --- |
| `1` | 1 |
| `2.5` | 2.5 |
| `3.01` | 3.01 |
| `1pt2` | 1 |
| `2a` | 2 |
| `Book 3` | 0 |
| (empty) | last |

Books with no sequence go after the numbered ones.

## What sequence numbers should I use?

- **Whole books** - `1`, `2`, `3`.
- **Novellas between books** - decimals, such as `2.5` for a story between book 2 and book 3.
- **A book split into parts** - decimals with two digits, such as `3.01`, `3.02`, `3.03`. A project contributor suggested this in [issue #4854](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf/issues/4854), and the owner said decimals will keep working. Two digits matter once you pass nine parts: `3.1` and `3.10` are the same number, but `3.01` to `3.12` sort in order.
- **Omnibus or box sets** - one number, such as the first book's. A range like `1-3` sorts as 1.

Avoid words in the sequence. `Book 3`, `Part 1` and `short stories` all sort as 0, and `2a` sorts as 2.

## Why did my series name change to "Series #1-3 & short stories"?

That happens when the sequence has a space in it and Audiobookshelf saves the book's details in its `metadata.json` file. In that file a series is stored as one line, the name and the sequence joined with ` #`, like `Ultramarines #1-3`. When Audiobookshelf reads the file again, a sequence with spaces in it becomes part of the series name. So you get a new series called "Ultramarines #1-3 & short stories".

The project owner explained this in [issue #4314](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf/issues/4314), and a contributor's advice there is to avoid spaces in sequences. The issue is still open in v2.37.1.

To fix a book that got split off:

1. Open the book, click the edit (pencil) button and go to the **Details** tab.
2. Remove the wrong series and add the right one, with a sequence that has no spaces, such as `1`.
3. Save. Audiobookshelf removes the mistaken series once no book is left in it.

## Can a book be in more than one series?

Yes. A book can belong to several series, each with its own sequence. For example, a Discworld novel can be book 1 in "Discworld" and book 1 in "Rincewind". On the **Details** tab, add each series with its number.

Folder names only give one series, the folder above the book. For a second one, add it in Audiobookshelf. You can also put both in the details saved inside the audio file: set the series tag to `Discworld; Rincewind` and the series-part tag to `1; 1`, with the same number of entries in each. An `.opf` file (a small file of book details, as Calibre makes) can list several series too. The [folder structure guide](https://soundleafapp.com/server/audiobookshelf-folder-structure/) shows how to put a sequence number in a folder name.

## Does SoundLeaf use the same order?

Yes. SoundLeaf sorts a series the same way: by the number at the start of each sequence, numbered books first. Books with the same number, or none, go by year published and then by title. The [library browsing guide](https://soundleafapp.com/docs/library-browsing/) has more on series in SoundLeaf. If a series looks wrong there, fix the sequence numbers in Audiobookshelf and refresh.