What is an ISRC code? An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a unique 12 character ID for one specific recording of a song. Think of it like a barcode for your track. It is how streaming services, royalty organizations, and chart companies know that a play belongs to your recording and not someone else's. This guide explains how to get an ISRC code, how it differs from an ISWC and UPC, and why using the same one everywhere matters for getting paid.
What an ISRC actually does
When your song is streamed, played on internet radio, or sold as a download, the service reports that usage. The ISRC is the key that ties each report back to your exact recording.
Without a consistent ISRC, your plays can end up unmatched. Unmatched plays often mean unpaid royalties.
What the code looks like
An ISRC has 12 characters, usually shown like this: US-AB1-26-00001. The dashes are just for readability. The parts are:
- Country code (2 letters), for example US.
- Registrant code (3 characters), which identifies who issued the code.
- Year (2 digits), the year the code was assigned.
- Designation code (5 digits), a unique number for that recording.
One recording, one ISRC
Each distinct recording gets its own ISRC. That means:
- The original version has one ISRC.
- A remix gets a different ISRC.
- An acoustic version gets a different ISRC.
- A radio edit gets a different ISRC.
But the same recording keeps the same ISRC forever, even if you rerelease it on a new album or switch distributors.
ISRC vs ISWC vs UPC
These three codes get confused all the time. Here is the simple way to remember them.
| Code | Identifies | Who typically assigns it |
|---|---|---|
| ISRC | A sound recording (the master) | Your distributor or your own registrant code |
| ISWC | A musical work (the composition) | Assigned through PRO or society registration |
| UPC | A release or product (single, EP, album) | Your distributor |
Why the difference matters
Remember that every song is two copyrights: the composition and the recording. The ISWC follows the composition, the ISRC follows the recording. A single composition can have many recordings (and many ISRCs), but only one ISWC.
The UPC covers the whole product. A five song EP has one UPC and five ISRCs.
This two sided structure is what we call owning 200%. The Royalty Map shows which organization pays each side.
How to get one (distributor path vs own registrant code)
There are two main ways to get ISRCs.
Option 1: Through your distributor (most common)
When you upload a release to a distributor like DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, or others, they usually assign an ISRC to each track automatically, often at no extra charge. This is the easiest path and works well for most independent artists.
After your release is delivered, find the ISRC in your distributor dashboard and save it. You will need it for later registrations.
If you are moving a song to a new distributor, enter the existing ISRC instead of letting them create a new one.
Option 2: Get your own registrant code
In the US, ISRC registrant codes are managed by the US ISRC Agency. You can apply for your own registrant code and then issue ISRCs for your own recordings. Labels and prolific artists sometimes prefer this because they control their codes across distributors.
If you issue your own codes, you are responsible for:
- Never reusing a designation number
- Keeping a log of every code and its recording
- Giving each new version its own code
Never invent or borrow an ISRC
Do not make up a code or use one from a shared prefix you do not control. A fake or duplicate ISRC can collide with someone else's recording and send your royalties to the wrong place. Royalty Lock only captures ISRCs your distributor gave you or that you issued with your own real registrant code. It never fabricates them.
Why you must use the same ISRC everywhere
This is the rule that saves the most money: one recording, one ISRC, used in every registration.
Here is why. Every organization builds its records from the codes you give it. If your distributor says your song is ISRC A, and you register ISRC B at SoundExchange, the two systems cannot connect the dots. Plays reported under ISRC A may never reach your SoundExchange account.
Common ways artists end up with duplicates
- Rereleasing a single on an album and letting the distributor issue a new code
- Switching distributors and not entering the old ISRC
- Typing the code wrong in one registration
- Mixing up the codes for two versions of the same song
Fixing duplicates later is painful. Get it right at release, and copy and paste instead of retyping.
Where to enter it (MLC, SoundExchange, Luminate)
Once you have your ISRC, add it everywhere your recording is registered.
The MLC
When you register a work at The MLC, you can attach the ISRCs of recordings of that song. This helps The MLC match streams to your composition. Our MLC registration guide walks through it.
SoundExchange
SoundExchange identifies recordings by ISRC. When you register your recordings as featured artist and rights owner, include the correct ISRC for each.
Luminate and chart data
Chart and data companies like Luminate use ISRCs and UPCs to count your sales and streams. Consistent codes help your numbers get counted correctly.
Your PRO
Many PROs let you add recording information to a song registration. Including your ISRC can help with matching.
For the full registration order, start with our pillar guide on how to register a song everywhere it earns. If you think some plays have already slipped through, run the Missed Royalties Check.
How Royalty Lock handles ISRCs
When you add a song, you enter the ISRC from your distributor once. Royalty Lock then puts that exact code into every file and form it preps for you: MLC, SoundExchange, and more. You submit each one under your own login. See How it works.
How to find an ISRC you already have
Lost track of your codes? Here is where to look.
Your distributor dashboard
Most distributors show the ISRC on the release or track details page. Some also let you download a spreadsheet of your whole catalog with ISRCs and UPCs. This is the most reliable source.
Your release confirmation emails
Some distributors include codes in the email sent when a release goes live.
Streaming metadata tools
Some public tools and services can show the ISRC for tracks on streaming platforms. These are handy for checking, but always confirm against your distributor, since your distributor is the source that delivered the code.
Your own records
If you issue your own ISRCs, your registrant log is the source of truth. Keep it backed up.
ISRC myths that cost artists money
"My distributor handles everything, so I don't need to know my ISRC"
Your distributor uses the ISRC to deliver your music to stores. But other organizations, like The MLC and SoundExchange, need you to supply that code in your own registrations. If you do not know it, you cannot register properly.
"A new album means new ISRCs"
Only for new recordings. If a single is later included on an album, the same recording keeps the same ISRC.
"It is fine to have two ISRCs for one song"
Two ISRCs for one identical recording splits your data. Plays may be counted under a code that no registration points to.
"An ISRC protects my copyright"
No. An ISRC is an identifier, not legal protection. For legal protection, register with the US Copyright Office.
Building a simple catalog sheet
The easiest way to avoid ISRC mix ups is a single catalog sheet. For each track, keep one row with:
- Song title
- Version (original, remix, acoustic, and so on)
- ISRC
- UPC of the release it appeared on
- Release date
- Writers and splits
- Distributor
Update it every time you release something. When a registration form asks for your ISRC, copy and paste from the sheet. Never retype a code from memory.
Royalty Lock keeps this sheet for you. Each song you add stores its ISRC and UPC once, and every file the AI preps pulls from that single source. That removes the typo risk that comes with retyping codes into several websites.
What happens when an ISRC is wrong
If you discover a wrong or duplicate ISRC, fix it as early as possible.
- Confirm the correct code with your distributor.
- Update every registration that used the wrong code: The MLC, SoundExchange, your PRO, and any others.
- Search for unmatched plays under the old code using each organization's tools.
- Keep notes on what you changed and when.
The longer a wrong code sits, the more plays get reported under it, so do not wait.
The bottom line
An ISRC is small, but it carries a lot of weight. It is the thread that ties every play, every sale, and every registration back to your recording. Get it from your distributor or your own registrant code, save it the day your release goes live, and use that same code in every registration you make. Give each new version its own code, and never invent one.
If you do just those few things, you remove one of the most common reasons artists go unpaid. Then take the next step and make sure your recording and composition are registered everywhere they earn, so that code has somewhere to send your money.
FAQ
How do I get an ISRC code for my song?
The easiest way is through your distributor, which usually assigns one when you upload a release. You can also apply for your own registrant code through the US ISRC Agency and issue codes yourself.
Is an ISRC code free?
Many distributors include ISRCs at no extra cost. Getting your own registrant code may involve a fee. Check with your distributor or the US ISRC Agency for current pricing.
Do I need a new ISRC for a remix or live version?
Yes. Every distinct recording needs its own ISRC. The same recording rereleased on a new album should keep its original ISRC.
What is the difference between ISRC and UPC?
An ISRC identifies a single recording. A UPC identifies a release or product, such as a single, EP, or album. One album has one UPC and one ISRC per track.