ISRC Code: The Complete Guide for Artists and Producers

If you have ever distributed your music on streaming platforms, you may have wondered how your tracks are tracked across Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, radio stations, and even TV. The answer fits in four letters: ISRC.

The ISRC — International Standard Recording Code — is a unique identifier assigned to each sound recording. It is what allows your streams, radio plays, and sync placements to be counted and, most importantly, paid. Without an ISRC, your music is simply invisible to the organizations that collect and distribute rights.

In other words, the ISRC code is the most important piece of metadata you need to set up before releasing a track.

What is an ISRC code?

The ISRC is an international standard (ISO 3901) created to uniquely identify each sound or audiovisual recording. Each track, each version (remix, live, acoustic) receives its own code.

Contrary to what many believe, the ISRC does not identify a song as a work (that is the role of the ISWC for the composition). It identifies a specific recording of that song.

Key takeaway: A single title can have multiple ISRCs if you make several versions (remix, acoustic version, live version…). Each recording = one unique ISRC.

How is an ISRC code structured?

An ISRC consists of 12 characters split into 5 blocks:

Block	Content	Length	Example
Country code	ISO country code	2 characters	FR
Registrant code	Identifies the first owner or declarant	3 characters	AB1
Year of assignment	Last two digits of the year	2 characters	26
Sequential code	Recording number	4 characters	0042
Unit code	Recording type: 0 = phonogram (audio), 1 = videogram (music video)	1 character	0

Full example: FRAB126 0042 0 (phonogram) or FRAB126 0042 1 (videogram)

This format ensures no recording in the world can share the same code as another. ISRC assignment takes place during the pre-mastering stage.

Why the ISRC code is essential

Tracking streams and sales

Every time your track is played on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, or any other platform, it is the ISRC that allows the system to identify the recording and count the play. Without it, there is no way to know how many times your track was played — and therefore no way to pay you.

Royalty payments

Collective management organizations (such as SCPP and SPPF in France) use ISRC codes to:

• Collect neighboring rights tied to the broadcast of your recordings
• Distribute revenue between producers and performing artists
• Track international exploitation through reciprocity agreements

Without an ISRC, your neighboring rights simply fall through the cracks.

Radio airplay and synchronization

When a track is played on radio or used in a film, TV series, or advertisement, the ISRC allows the system to automatically trace the broadcast. Radio monitoring systems (like those used by SCPP) identify tracks through their audio fingerprint linked to the ISRC.

It is also thanks to the ISRC that sync revenue (placement in ads, films, video games) is correctly attributed.

How to get an ISRC code

There are three main ways to obtain an ISRC for your recordings:

1. Through your digital distributor

This is the simplest method. Most digital distributors (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, iMusician, Believe…) automatically assign an ISRC to each track you submit.

• Advantage: no extra steps needed
• Downside: if you switch distributors, you must keep track of your ISRCs to reuse them (otherwise, you risk duplicates)

2. Through a national agency

In France, it is SCPP (Societe Civile des Producteurs Phonographiques) or SPPF (Societe des Producteurs de Phonogrammes en France) that assign ISRC roots to producers. Internationally, it is IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) that manages the system.

You can apply for an ISRC root (registrant code) even if you are not a SCPP or SPPF member — applications are open to everyone. At SPPF, your request is reviewed within 48 business hours and you then access an online ISRC Space to manage your assignments. Once you have your root, you can assign ISRCs to your recordings yourself.

3. Through your label or producer

If you are signed to a label, it is generally the first owner of the recordings who handles ISRC assignment using their own producer root. This makes sense: under an artist contract, the label owns the masters and manages distribution. In the case of a license or representation deal, it is also the first owner who assigns the ISRC.

Key takeaway: Regardless of the method, always make sure to maintain an up-to-date database of all your ISRCs. This is a piece of metadata you need to keep for life. A tool like Muzisecur can help you centralize and manage all your metadata.

ISRC vs UPC: whats the difference?

ISRC and UPC (Universal Product Code, also called EAN in Europe) are often confused. Here is the distinction:

	ISRC	UPC / EAN
Identifies	An individual recording (a track)	A commercial product (an album, EP, single)
Granularity	Per track	Per release
Use	Broadcast tracking, royalties, sync	Store sales, cataloging, distribution
Assigned by	Distributor, SCPP, SPPF, IFPI	Distributor, GS1
Example	FRAB1260042	3700123456789

In short: the ISRC follows the track, the UPC follows the product. You need both for a complete music release.

Common mistakes to avoid with ISRC codes

• Reusing an ISRC for a different recording — Each version of a track (remix, remaster, live) must have its own ISRC. Never recycle a code.
• Forgetting to save your ISRCs — If you switch distributors and cannot find your old ISRCs, you risk creating duplicates. Result: your streams are split across two different entries.
• Confusing ISRC and ISWC — The ISRC identifies the recording, the ISWC identifies the musical work (the composition). They are two complementary but distinct systems.
• Not declaring your ISRCs to neighboring rights organizations — Having an ISRC is not enough. You also need to register with SCPP or SPPF and declare your recordings there to receive your rights.
• Letting the distributor handle it without checking — Even if your distributor assigns ISRCs automatically, always verify that the codes are correct and consistent across your catalog.

FAQ: ISRC codes

Is the ISRC mandatory to release a track?

Technically, you can distribute music without an ISRC — but it is strongly discouraged. Without an ISRC, your streams are not tracked, your neighboring rights are not collected, and your music is invisible to collecting societies. Every major platform requires or assigns an ISRC.

Is the ISRC free?

Yes, in most cases. Your digital distributor assigns it for free. If you apply directly to SCPP, SPPF, or IFPI for an ISRC root, there may be minimal administrative fees.

Do I keep the same ISRC if I switch distributors?

Yes, absolutely. The ISRC is attached to the recording, not the distributor. If you migrate to another distributor, you must reuse the same ISRCs to avoid duplicates.

What is the difference between ISRC and ISWC?

The ISRC identifies the sound recording (the master), while the ISWC identifies the musical work (the composition). A single ISWC can be linked to multiple ISRCs if the song has been recorded multiple times by different artists.

Does a featuring or remix need its own ISRC?

Yes. Each distinct recording needs its own ISRC. A remix is a new recording, so it requires a new ISRC, even if the underlying composition remains the same.

What is the difference between a phonogram ISRC and a videogram ISRC?

The last character of the ISRC (the unit code) distinguishes the two: 0 for a phonogram (audio recording) and 1 for a videogram (music video). A music video of your track will therefore have a different ISRC from the audio recording, even if it is the same song.

Do I need to be a SCPP or SPPF member to get an ISRC?

No. ISRC root applications are open to everyone, even without being a SCPP or SPPF member. You can contact SPPF’s legal department to obtain your root within 48 business hours.

Conclusion

The ISRC code is much more than a simple administrative formality — it is the passport for your recording in the global music industry. Without it, your music cannot be tracked, counted, or properly paid.

Whether you are an independent artist or signed to a label, make sure every track you release has a valid ISRC, that you store it in a reliable database, and that you declare it to the right organizations.

The good news is that it is simple to set up — and tools like Muzisecur are there to help you keep control of your metadata and your rights.