<PAGE>


AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 9, 1999.

                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-______
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                 ---------------

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                 ---------------

                                 ADAM.COM, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           GEORGIA                                        58-1878070
(State or other jurisdiction                 (I.R.S. Employer Identification
 of incorporation or organization)            Number)

                        1600 RIVEREDGE PARKWAY, SUITE 800
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328
                            TELEPHONE: (770) 980-0888

  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)

                                 ---------------

       A.D.A.M. SOFTWARE, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                              (Full title of plan)

                              ROBERT S. CRAMER, JR.
                CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                 ADAM.COM, INC.
                        1600 RIVEREDGE PARKWAY, SUITE 800
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328
                            TELEPHONE: (770) 980-0888
                            FACSIMILE: (770) 989-4970
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                              of agent for service)

                                   COPIES TO:

                                 STACEY K. GEER
                                 KING & SPALDING
                           191 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
                            TELEPHONE: (404) 572-4600
                            FACSIMILE: (404) 572-5100


                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                PROPOSED MAXIMUM         PROPOSED MAXIMUM
         TITLE OF SHARES TO BE                                AGGREGATE PRICE PER       AGGREGATE OFFERING          AMOUNT OF
              Registered            AMOUNT TO BE REGISTERED         UNIT (1)                PRICE (1)            REGISTRATION FEE
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    <S>                                <C>                            <C>                   <C>                       <C>
     Common Stock, $.01 par value      1,600,000 shares               $14.94                $23,904,000.00            $6,310.66
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

    (1) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the
    registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) on the basis of the average of the
    high and low sales prices per share of common stock of adam.com, Inc. as
    reported on the Nasdaq National Market's National Market on December 7,
    1999.

================================================================================


<PAGE>


                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

         The contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration
No. 333-07785) filed by adam.com, Inc. (formerly called A.D.A.M. Software, Inc.)
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on July 8, 1996
to register common stock to be issued pursuant to the A.D.A.M. Software, Inc.
Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") are hereby incorporated
by reference. This Registration Statement is being filed to increase the number
of shares registered pursuant to the Plan by 1,600,000 shares from 1,400,000
shares to 3,000,000 shares.

Item 3.  INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The following documents previously filed by the Registrant with the
Commission are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:

                  (a) The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                  year ended March 31, 1999 filed on June 29, 1999;

                  (b) The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  quarter ended June 30, 1999;

                  (c) The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  quarter ended September 30, 1999;

                  (d) The Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
                  November 30, 1999; and

                  (e) The description of the Registrant's common stock included
                  in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated October 11,
                  1995.

         All documents filed by the Registrant subsequent to the date of this
Registration Statement pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part of
this Registration Statement from the date of filing of such documents.



Item 8.      EXHIBITS.

Exhibit      Description
-------      -----------

5.1          Opinion of King & Spalding regarding legality of shares being
             registered.

23.1         Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

23.2         Consent of King & Spalding (included in Exhibit 5.1).

24.1         Power of Attorney (included on signature page).




<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Atlanta,
State of Georgia, on this 9th day of December, 1999.

                                            ADAM.COM, INC.

                                            By: /s/ Robert S. Cramer, Jr.
                                               -------------------------------
                                               Robert S. Cramer, Jr.
                                               CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND
                                               CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

    KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Robert S. Cramer, Jr. and Michael S.
Fisher and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agents, with
full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to sign any registration
statement for the same offering covered by this Registration Statement that is
to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in fact and
agents, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities on December 9, 1999.

                  NAME                                 TITLE

/s/ Robert S. Cramer, Jr.               Chairman of the Board and Chief
---------------------------             Executive Officer (Principal Executive
  Robert S. Cramer, Jr.                 Officer)


/s/ Michael S. Fisher                   Vice President of Finance and
---------------------------             Administration (Principal Financial
     Michael S. Fisher                  and Accounting Officer)


                                        Director
---------------------------
       Linda Davis


/s/ Sally D. Elliott                    Director
---------------------------
     Sally D. Elliott


/s/ Daniel S. Howe                      Director
---------------------------
      Daniel S. Howe


<PAGE>


                                        Director
---------------------------
     Hamilton Jordan


/s/ John W. McClaugherty                Director
---------------------------
    John W. McClaugherty


/s/ Gregory M. Swayne                   Director
---------------------------
     Gregory M. Swayne


                                        Director
---------------------------
 Francis J. Tedesco, M.D.
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 9768}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ADAM COM INC /DE/", "cik": "0000863650", "assigned-sic": "7372", "irs-number": "581878070", "state-of-incorporation": "GA", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-92403", "film-number": "99771242"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1600 RIVEREDGE PARKWAY", "street2": "STE 800", "city": "ATLANTA", "state": "GA", "zip": "30328", "phone": "7709800888"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1600 RIVEREDGE PKWY", "street2": "STE 800", "city": "ATLANTA", "state": "GA", "zip": "30328"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "A D A M SOFTWARE INC", "date-changed": "19950919"}}
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 9, 1999.

                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-______
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                 ---------------

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                 ---------------

                                 ADAM.COM, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           GEORGIA                                        58-1878070
(State or other jurisdiction                 (I.R.S. Employer Identification
 of incorporation or organization)            Number)

                        1600 RIVEREDGE PARKWAY, SUITE 800
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328
                            TELEPHONE: (770) 980-0888

  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)

                                 ---------------

       A.D.A.M. SOFTWARE, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                              (Full title of plan)

                              ROBERT S. CRAMER, JR.
                CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                 ADAM.COM, INC.
                        1600 RIVEREDGE PARKWAY, SUITE 800
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328
                            TELEPHONE: (770) 980-0888
                            FACSIMILE: (770) 989-4970
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                              of agent for service)

                                   COPIES TO:

                                 STACEY K. GEER
                                 KING & SPALDING
                           191 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
                            TELEPHONE: (404) 572-4600
                            FACSIMILE: (404) 572-5100

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                PROPOSED MAXIMUM         PROPOSED MAXIMUM
         TITLE OF SHARES TO BE                                AGGREGATE PRICE PER       AGGREGATE OFFERING          AMOUNT OF
              Registered            AMOUNT TO BE REGISTERED         UNIT (1)                PRICE (1)            REGISTRATION FEE
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par value      1,600,000 shares               $14.94                $23,904,000.00            $6,310.66
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the
    registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) on the basis of the average of the
    high and low sales prices per share of common stock of adam.com, Inc. as
    reported on the Nasdaq National Market's National Market on December 7,
    1999.

================================================================================
PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

         The contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration
No. 333-07785) filed by adam.com, Inc. (formerly called A.D.A.M. Software, Inc.)
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on July 8, 1996
to register common stock to be issued pursuant to the A.D.A.M. Software, Inc.
Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") are hereby incorporated
by reference. This Registration Statement is being filed to increase the number
of shares registered pursuant to the Plan by 1,600,000 shares from 1,400,000
shares to 3,000,000 shares.

Item 3.  INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The following documents previously filed by the Registrant with the
Commission are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:

                  (a) The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                  year ended March 31, 1999 filed on June 29, 1999;

                  (b) The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  quarter ended June 30, 1999;

                  (c) The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  quarter ended September 30, 1999;

                  (d) The Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
                  November 30, 1999; and

                  (e) The description of the Registrant's common stock included
                  in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated October 11,
                  1995.

         All documents filed by the Registrant subsequent to the date of this
Registration Statement pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part of
this Registration Statement from the date of filing of such documents.

Item 8.      EXHIBITS.

Exhibit      Description
-------      -----------

5.1          Opinion of King & Spalding regarding legality of shares being
             registered.

23.1         Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

23.2         Consent of King & Spalding (included in Exhibit 5.1).

24.1         Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Atlanta,
State of Georgia, on this 9th day of December, 1999.

                                            ADAM.COM, INC.

                                            By: /s/ Robert S. Cramer, Jr.
                                               -------------------------------
                                               Robert S. Cramer, Jr.
                                               CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND
                                               CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

    KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Robert S. Cramer, Jr. and Michael S.
Fisher and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agents, with
full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to sign any registration
statement for the same offering covered by this Registration Statement that is
to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in fact and
agents, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities on December 9, 1999.

                  NAME                                 TITLE

/s/ Robert S. Cramer, Jr.               Chairman of the Board and Chief
---------------------------             Executive Officer (Principal Executive
  Robert S. Cramer, Jr.                 Officer)

/s/ Michael S. Fisher                   Vice President of Finance and
---------------------------             Administration (Principal Financial
     Michael S. Fisher                  and Accounting Officer)

                                        Director
---------------------------
       Linda Davis

/s/ Sally D. Elliott                    Director
---------------------------
     Sally D. Elliott

/s/ Daniel S. Howe                      Director
---------------------------
      Daniel S. Howe
Director
---------------------------
     Hamilton Jordan

/s/ John W. McClaugherty                Director
---------------------------
    John W. McClaugherty

/s/ Gregory M. Swayne                   Director
---------------------------
     Gregory M. Swayne

                                        Director
---------------------------
 Francis J. Tedesco, M.D.