Every recorded song you distribute needs an ISRC. It's not optional if you want royalties tracked correctly — and it goes on your split sheet. Here's everything you need to know.
What Is an ISRC Code?
ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It's a 12-character code that uniquely identifies a specific sound recording or music video. Think of it as the barcode for your recording — every unique version of every song gets its own ISRC.
An ISRC looks like this: US-ABC-26-00001
- US — Country code (the country of the registrant)
- ABC — Registrant code (a unique 3-character code for your label or distributor)
- 26 — Year of registration (last two digits of the year)
- 00001 — Designation code (unique number for this specific recording)
ISRC codes are managed globally by IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) and assigned through national agencies.
What Is an ISRC Code Used For?
ISRC codes are used to track a recording across every platform that distributes or plays it. Specifically:
- Streaming royalty tracking: Spotify, Apple Music, and other DSPs use ISRCs to identify which recording is being played and route royalties to the correct rights holders
- SoundExchange collection: SoundExchange uses ISRCs to track which recordings are played on digital radio (Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio) and pay out master-side digital performance royalties
- PRO performance tracking: When your song plays on broadcast radio or TV, ISRCs help PROs track the correct recording and route performance royalties
- Sync licensing: Sync licensors use ISRCs to identify the correct version of a track when licensing it for film, TV, or advertising
Without an ISRC, royalties from streaming and digital radio either can't be tracked or are attributed to the wrong recording.
ISRC vs. ISWC: What's the Difference?
These two codes are often confused:
- ISRC identifies the recording (the master). Every version of a song gets its own ISRC — so the original recording, a live version, and an acoustic version are three different ISRCs.
- ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) identifies the composition (the song itself). There's only one ISWC per composition, regardless of how many versions are recorded. The ISWC is assigned by your PRO when you register the work.
A split sheet should include both: the ISRC (if the recording is done) and the ISWC (if the composition is registered with a PRO). Both can be left blank if the song isn't released or registered yet and filled in later.
How to Get an ISRC Code
Option 1: Through Your Distributor (Easiest)
If you use DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, Amuse, or another digital distributor, they automatically assign an ISRC to each recording when you upload and distribute it. This is the most common path for independent artists — you don't need to do anything separately.
Option 2: Register as an ISRC Manager Yourself
If you want to manage your own ISRCs (common for indie labels or artists releasing frequently), you can register as an ISRC manager through the RIAA in the US at usisrc.org. There's a registration fee, and you receive your own registrant code, which lets you issue as many ISRCs as you need for your catalog.
Option 3: Through a Collecting Society
In some countries, collecting societies issue ISRCs directly to members. Check with your country's national ISRC agency for the correct process.
ISRC Codes and Split Sheets
A split sheet should include the ISRC once it's assigned. This creates a direct link between the ownership documentation (the split sheet) and the specific recording it covers. When a distributor, PRO, or sync licensor asks for proof of ownership on a specific recording, the ISRC is how they identify which recording they're asking about.
If the ISRC isn't assigned yet at the time of signing the split sheet (e.g., the song hasn't been distributed yet), leave the field blank and update the document once you have it. Some artists keep digital copies of their split sheets and add the ISRC and ISWC as those become available.
Generate a Split Sheet With ISRC and ISWC Fields
A properly structured split sheet includes dedicated fields for ISRC and ISWC alongside the ownership splits, PRO affiliations, and IPI numbers. Generate a custom split sheet PDF for your recording at musicsplitsheets.com — $3, 2 minutes, all required fields included.