TuneCore Logo
Sell Your MusicMusic PublishingArtist ServicesPricingArtist AdviceSplitsAcceleratorLoginSign Up
Sell Your MusicMusic PublishingArtist ServicesPricingArtist AdviceSplitsAcceleratorLoginSign UpDashboard

All You Need to Know About ISRC Codes: What Are They & How to Get Them

Confused about what IRSC codes are? No sweat – we’re here to tell you all you need to know about IRSC codes, including what they are plus how to get them.

Let’s dig in.

What Does ISRC Stand For?

ISRC is an acronym for International Standard Recording Code.

What Is an ISRC Code in the Music Industry?

In the music industry, it is a 12 digit alphanumeric code that looks like this: US-ABC-20-00001

That code is comprised of four parts:

  1. The Country Code, or: where the track is from. (US)

  2. The Registrant Code, representing the artist who registered the recording (ABC)

  3. The Year of Reference, i.e when the track was registered (20)

  4. The Designation Code / Serial Number (00001) 

But what does an ISRC Code mean in the music industry?

Simply put, an IRSC code serves a digital fingerprint that helps industry professionals correctly identify a specific sound or recording.

Why Are ISRC Codes Important for Artists?

No two recordings have the same IRSC code, which means they’re essential for tracking an artist’s publishing and mechanical royalties. They’re equally important to ensuring copyright protections for artists.

Think of IRSC codes an an artist’s digital line of defense against individuals attempting to exploit them.   

Because IRSC codes do so much and are so important, they are globally standardized on streaming platforms – including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube. The IFPI – International Federation of Phonographic Industry – administers the system, which is upheld by regional agencies (in the US, it’s the RIAA.)

Do I Need an ISRC Code for Every Song/Album?

In a word: yes. 

  • You need an ISRC code for every song you release.

  • You also need a ISRC code for every album you release.

  • Note: If you release a song as a single and include the same song on an album, they’ll have separate ISRC codes.

We cannot stress this enough: ISRC codes cannot be reused across songs. They must be one-of-a-kind to help others accurately track your royalties and protect your copyright.

How to Get ISRC Codes for Your Music

It’s clear you need an IRSC code. The question is: how do you get an IRSC code? 

There are three primary ways to get an ISRC code:

  1. A digital distributor (like TuneCore!)

  2. An IFPI-approved agency (like the RIAA)

  3. Registering for one individually.

We’re biased, and: options 1 and 2 are the most efficient ways to get an IRSC code for your music. The pro of getting one through your digital distributor is that they’re a trusted name in the industry with a customer support team who can help you through any snags or hiccups. The downside? You might not learn the ins and outs of what getting an ISRC takes. 

That’s not essential to your musical growth, and: if it interests you, going through an IFPI-approved agency is the more hands-on approach.

How Much Does It Cost to Get an ISRC Code?

Nothing – ISRC codes are free. Any site asking you to pay for an ISRC code should be avoided – permanently.

How to Find the ISRC Code of a Song

The best way to find the ISRC Code of a song is with the ISRC Finder, which you can access at the hyperlink.

There you can look up any track receiving distribution online and find its IRSC Code (this is especially helpful if you need to look up your own for any reason!)

How to Use ISRC Codes in Music Distribution

If you’re distributing music through a company like TuneCore, we’ll assign you an ISRC code during the upload process. (For transparency, our competitors will as well.)

These codes are embedded in the mastered audio files before they’re released online to DSPs like Apple Music and Spotify to ensure that, from day one, your music is easily trackable for royalty collection and copyright protection.

ISRC codes are permanent; once you have one, your music is good to go.

Making Sure Your Music Is Trackable

TuneCore provides you with ISRC codes during the upload process – we also provide music publishing and unparalleled growth opportunities through our Accelerator platform.

That’s because we want you to grow your career the right way, with your rights protected and the sky as your only limit.

Let’s get your music online today, ISRC codes and all.

SIGN UP NOW