ISRC and UPC: What Are They and Do You Need Them?

Upload your first song to a distributor and you'll run into them: ISRC and UPC. Two codes that look alike but do different things. Here's how they work and how to get them.

What is an ISRC?

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It's a code for one specific recording. Note: it's about the recording, not the song as a composition. Record the same song again, or make a new mix or remaster, and that version usually gets its own ISRC.

An ISRC is always 12 characters long, built like this:

• a 2-character country code
• a 3-character code for whoever issues the code
• 2 digits for the year
• 5 digits that make the recording unique

The system is set out in ISO standard 3901 and is managed internationally by IFPI.

What is a UPC or EAN?

A UPC or EAN is a barcode for your release as a whole, so your single, EP or album. One release has one UPC, and every song on that release has its own ISRC.

How do you get them?

Releasing yourself through a distributor? Then you usually get your ISRCs and UPC from your distributor, often automatically when you upload. Check with your distributor how it works for them.

What do you need them for?

• Spotify for Artists: according to Spotify, you can request access with the UPC or EAN of a release that's still coming out. Read how to claim Spotify for Artists.
• Collecting societies: when you register recordings with a neighboring rights society, you usually fill in the ISRC.
• Your own records: with the ISRC you know exactly which recording you're talking about, for example when you make agreements with a producer or feature.

Keep them safe

Put your UPC per release and your ISRC per song in a simple overview, together with the title, release date and who worked on it. That saves you searching when you need them later.

Ready to release?

Read how to put your own music on Spotify, plan your release with the four-week release plan and check the cover art requirements.

FAQ

What's the difference between an ISRC and a UPC?

An ISRC belongs to one recording, a UPC to a whole release. So an EP with five songs has one UPC and five ISRCs.

Does a remix get a new ISRC?

Usually, yes. A recording that's remastered or changed in another way usually gets its own ISRC.

Do I have to pay for an ISRC?

That depends on the distributor. It's often included when you upload, but check with your own distributor.

Source: the ISRC standard (ISO 3901) and Spotify for Artists support pages.