diff --git a/bookwyrm/connectors/abstract_connector.py b/bookwyrm/connectors/abstract_connector.py
index 455241cc..8d2e9f15 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/connectors/abstract_connector.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/connectors/abstract_connector.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from requests.exceptions import RequestException
 
 from bookwyrm import activitypub, models, settings
 from .connector_manager import load_more_data, ConnectorException
+from .format_mappings import format_mappings
 
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -312,3 +313,16 @@ class Mapping:
             return self.formatter(value)
         except:  # pylint: disable=bare-except
             return None
+
+def infer_physical_format(format_text):
+    """ try to figure out what the standardized format is from the free value """
+    format_text = format_text.lower()
+    if format_text in format_mappings:
+        # try a direct match
+        return format_mappings[format_text]
+    else:
+        # failing that, try substring
+        matches = [v for k, v in format_mappings.items() if k in format_text]
+        if not matches:
+            return None
+        return matches[0]
diff --git a/bookwyrm/connectors/format_mappings.py b/bookwyrm/connectors/format_mappings.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..61f61efa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bookwyrm/connectors/format_mappings.py
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+""" comparing a free text format to the standardized one """
+format_mappings = {
+    "paperback": "Paperback",
+    "soft": "Paperback",
+    "pamphlet": "Paperback",
+    "peperback": "Paperback",
+    "tapa blanda": "Paperback",
+    "turtleback": "Paperback",
+    "pocket": "Paperback",
+    "spiral": "Paperback",
+    "ring": "Paperback",
+    "平装": "Paperback",
+    "简装": "Paperback",
+    "hardcover": "Hardcover",
+    "hardcocer": "Hardcover",
+    "hardover": "Hardcover",
+    "hardback": "Hardcover",
+    "library": "Hardcover",
+    "tapa dura": "Hardcover",
+    "leather": "Hardcover",
+    "clothbound": "Hardcover",
+    "精装": "Hardcover",
+    "ebook": "EBook",
+    "e-book": "EBook",
+    "digital": "EBook",
+    "computer file": "EBook",
+    "epub": "EBook",
+    "online": "EBook",
+    "pdf": "EBook",
+    "elektronische": "EBook",
+    "electronic": "EBook",
+    "audiobook": "AudiobookFormat",
+    "audio": "AudiobookFormat",
+    "cd": "AudiobookFormat",
+    "dvd": "AudiobookFormat",
+    "mp3": "AudiobookFormat",
+    "cassette": "AudiobookFormat",
+    "kindle": "AudiobookFormat",
+    "talking": "AudiobookFormat",
+    "sound": "AudiobookFormat",
+    "comic": "GraphicNovel",
+    "graphic": "GraphicNovel",
+}
diff --git a/bookwyrm/connectors/openlibrary.py b/bookwyrm/connectors/openlibrary.py
index fca5d0f7..7f724d74 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/connectors/openlibrary.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/connectors/openlibrary.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import re
 
 from bookwyrm import models
 from .abstract_connector import AbstractConnector, SearchResult, Mapping
-from .abstract_connector import get_data
+from .abstract_connector import get_data, infer_physical_format
 from .connector_manager import ConnectorException
 from .openlibrary_languages import languages
 
@@ -43,7 +43,8 @@ class Connector(AbstractConnector):
             ),
             Mapping("publishedDate", remote_field="publish_date"),
             Mapping("pages", remote_field="number_of_pages"),
-            Mapping("physicalFormat", remote_field="physical_format"),
+            Mapping("physicalFormat", remote_field="physical_format", formatter=infer_physical_format),
+            Mapping("physicalFormatDetail", remote_field="physical_format"),
             Mapping("publishers"),
         ]
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/migrations/0101_auto_20210929_1847.py b/bookwyrm/migrations/0101_auto_20210929_1847.py
index 346dbf88..2acaa127 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/migrations/0101_auto_20210929_1847.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/migrations/0101_auto_20210929_1847.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 from django.db import migrations
 import bookwyrm
+from bookwyrm.connectors.abstract_connector import infer_physical_format
 
 
 def infer_format(app_registry, schema_editor):
@@ -13,59 +14,10 @@ def infer_format(app_registry, schema_editor):
         .objects.using(db_alias)
         .filter(physical_format_detail__isnull=False)
     )
-    mappings = {
-        "paperback": "Paperback",
-        "soft": "Paperback",
-        "pamphlet": "Paperback",
-        "peperback": "Paperback",
-        "tapa blanda": "Paperback",
-        "turtleback": "Paperback",
-        "pocket": "Paperback",
-        "spiral": "Paperback",
-        "ring": "Paperback",
-        "平装": "Paperback",
-        "简装": "Paperback",
-        "hardcover": "Hardcover",
-        "hardcocer": "Hardcover",
-        "hardover": "Hardcover",
-        "hardback": "Hardcover",
-        "library": "Hardcover",
-        "tapa dura": "Hardcover",
-        "leather": "Hardcover",
-        "clothbound": "Hardcover",
-        "精装": "Hardcover",
-        "ebook": "EBook",
-        "e-book": "EBook",
-        "digital": "EBook",
-        "computer file": "EBook",
-        "epub": "EBook",
-        "online": "EBook",
-        "pdf": "EBook",
-        "elektronische": "EBook",
-        "electronic": "EBook",
-        "audiobook": "AudiobookFormat",
-        "audio": "AudiobookFormat",
-        "cd": "AudiobookFormat",
-        "dvd": "AudiobookFormat",
-        "mp3": "AudiobookFormat",
-        "cassette": "AudiobookFormat",
-        "kindle": "AudiobookFormat",
-        "talking": "AudiobookFormat",
-        "sound": "AudiobookFormat",
-        "comic": "GraphicNovel",
-        "graphic": "GraphicNovel",
-    }
     for edition in editions:
         free_format = edition.physical_format_detail.lower()
-        if free_format in mappings:
-            edition.physical_format = mappings[free_format]
-            edition.save()
-        else:
-            matches = [v for k, v in mappings.items() if k in free_format]
-            if not matches:
-                continue
-            edition.physical_format = matches[0]
-            edition.save()
+        edition.physical_format = infer_physical_format(free_format)
+        edition.save()
 
 
 def reverse(app_registry, schema_editor):