What Is an IPI Number and How Do You Find Yours?

If you've ever filled out a split sheet, registered a song with a PRO, or tried to set up a publishing account, you've probably run into the term "IPI number." Here's exactly what it is and where to find yours.

What Is an IPI Number?

IPI stands for Interested Parties Information. It's a unique 9- or 11-digit number assigned to every songwriter, composer, and music publisher registered with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO).

You may also see this called a CAE number (Compositeur, Auteur, Éditeur) — this was the older name for the same identifier. IPI and CAE are the same thing; the name changed in the 1990s when the system was internationalized, but both terms are still used interchangeably.

What Is an IPI Number Used For?

Your IPI number is how royalty collection systems identify you. It's used to:

• Route performance royalties to you when your songs are played on radio, TV, streaming platforms, or in live venues
• Register your songs with your PRO — when you register a composition, you include your IPI number so the PRO knows which account to credit
• Identify parties on a split sheet — including IPI numbers on a split sheet tells collecting societies exactly which accounts to route royalties to for each party
• Identify co-writers and publishers in licensing databases — sync licensors and music publishers use IPI numbers to look up rights holders globally

Think of it like a Social Security number for your music career — a unique identifier that follows you across every platform and collecting society in the world.

How to Find Your IPI Number

Your IPI number is assigned when you register with a PRO. Here's how to find it depending on which PRO you're with:

ASCAP Members

1. Log into your ASCAP account at ascap.com
2. Navigate to your profile or "My Account"
3. Your IPI/CAE number appears in your member profile information

Alternatively, you can look yourself up in ASCAP's public repertory search at ascap.com/repertory — search by your name and your IPI number will show in your member record.

BMI Members

1. Log into your BMI account at bmi.com
2. Go to your account profile
3. Your IPI/CAE number is listed in your writer information

BMI also has a public works database at repertoire.bmi.com where you can search by name.

Other PROs

For SESAC, SOCAN (Canada), PRS (UK), APRA (Australia), or other PROs, log into your account on their member portal and look for your IPI/CAE number in your profile settings.

If You're Not Registered Yet

You don't have an IPI number until you register with a PRO. Registering takes about 10 minutes:

• ASCAP: ascap.com — $50 one-time songwriter fee
• BMI: bmi.com — free for songwriters

Register before you release music, not after. You can't backfill performance royalties for spins that happened before your IPI number existed.

Writer IPI vs. Publisher IPI: What's the Difference?

There are two types of IPI numbers on a split sheet:

• Writer IPI: Your personal identifier as a songwriter or composer
• Publisher IPI: The identifier for the music publishing entity (a company) that administers your publishing rights

If you're self-published — meaning you own your own publishing and haven't signed with a music publisher — you still may have a publisher IPI if you've registered a publishing entity with your PRO. Many indie artists register a simple publishing entity (e.g., "[Your Name] Music") with their PRO to collect the publisher's share of royalties in addition to the writer's share.

If you haven't done this, you're only collecting the writer's share of performance royalties. The publisher's share is sitting uncollected unless you have a publishing administrator (like Songtrust or Downtown Music) or a publishing deal.

IPI Numbers on Split Sheets

A split sheet should include each party's IPI/CAE number — both writer IPI and publisher IPI if applicable. This is what allows PROs and collecting societies to correctly route royalties to each party once the song is registered.

If a co-writer on your split sheet doesn't have an IPI number yet (they haven't registered with a PRO), note this on the split sheet and make sure they register before the song is released. Royalties for an unregistered party are either held or lost entirely depending on the territory and society.

Generate a split sheet with proper IPI number fields, PRO affiliation fields, and all other required documentation at musicsplitsheets.com — $3 for a custom PDF, ready to sign and file.