How to Get Paid · Chapter 06 of 9
The ID numbers, explained
Four codes tie money to your music: one for the recording, one for the release, one for the song and one for each writer. Here is where each one comes from and what it costs.
Facts last checked
| ID | Stands for | Identifies | Looks like | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISRC | International Standard Recording Code | One recording | 12 characters: a 5-character prefix, a 2-digit year, a 5-digit number | Your distributor assigns one free, or buy your own prefix at usisrc.org: $95, one time |
| UPC | Universal Product Code | One release: a single, EP or album | A 12-digit barcode | Your distributor assigns one free, or buy one from GS1 US: $30, no renewal |
| ISWC | International Standard Musical Work Code | One song | T-034.524.680-1 | Assigned automatically after the song is registered with a PRO. You can’t request one directly |
| IPI | Interested Party Information number | One songwriter or publisher name | 9–11 digits | Your PRO gives you one when you join. Each name you write under gets its own |
Two rules that save money
- Never change an ISRC or UPC. They carry your play counts, playlist placements and history. If you move to a new distributor, deliver the release with the same codes and the stores keep everything.
- Every co-writer needs an IPI before the song can be registered properly. If one writer hasn’t joined a PRO, the song’s registration has a hole in it, and so does the money.
Should you buy your own ISRC prefix?
You don’t have to. A distributor’s free codes work everywhere. Your own prefix ($95, one time, from usisrc.org) means every code says the recording is yours, whichever distributor delivers it, and it makes moving distributors simpler. It’s bought by whoever owns the recordings.
Questions
What is an ISRC?
The International Standard Recording Code: the ID number of one recording. It is 12 characters long. Your distributor assigns one for free, or you can buy your own prefix from usisrc.org for $95, one time.
What is the difference between an ISRC and a UPC?
An ISRC identifies one recording. A UPC identifies one release: a single, EP or album. An album with ten tracks has one UPC and ten ISRCs.
How do I get an ISWC?
You can’t request one directly. An ISWC, the song’s ID, is assigned automatically after the song is registered with a PRO.
What is an IPI number?
The Interested Party Information number: the ID of one songwriter or publisher name. Your PRO gives you one when you join. Every co-writer needs one before a song can be registered properly.
Should I change my ISRCs when I switch distributors?
No. ISRCs and UPCs carry your play counts, playlist placements and history. Deliver the release to the new distributor with the same codes and the stores keep everything.
Sources
Official pages, all checked on October 28, 2026.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Fees and rules change: check the official site on the day you sign up. For a big deal, such as a sync offer, a label contract or selling a catalogue, pay a music lawyer for an hour.