Auflagenzahlen

Auflagenzahlen are quantitative values that represent the number of units produced, printed or distributed in a given context. The term is predominantly used in the publishing industry, where it denotes the print run of a particular edition of a book, magazine or journal. In German it is a compound noun formed from Auflage, meaning "edition" or "issue", and Zahl, meaning "number".

In advertising, printing and media planning Auflagenzahlen are used to calculate reach and frequency. A publisher may announce that an edition has an Auflagenzahl of 25 000 copies, which signals the potential audience for advertisers. The figure also serves as a basis for royalty calculations and resale value in secondary markets.

Statistical institutions may publish Auflagenzahlen for educational materials, newspapers, and periodicals to analyze consumption trends. The data can be cross‑referenced with readership surveys that estimate actual circulation, distinguishing between printed copies and actual readers.

To obtain reliable Auflagenzahlen publishers often report the figures at the time of printing; sometimes adjustments are made for wastage, unsold stock and digital releases that replace physical copies. The term is analogous to the English “print run” and is essential for business planning, market analysis and historical bibliographic research.