ISRC Code 2026: complete guide —
what it is and how to get it
Without an ISRC, your streams are not counted and your neighbouring rights are not collected. Here’s everything you need to know about this 12-character code before your next release — free, in 5 minutes.
What is a ISRC code ?
The ISRC code (International Standard Recording Code) is an international standard (ISO 3901) that uniquely identifies each sound or audiovisual recording. It enables Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, radio stations and rights organisations to know exactly which recording was broadcast, streamed or used.
Each track — and each version of a track (remix, live, acoustic, remaster) — receives its own ISRC code.
Key points: The ISRC identifies a specific recording — not the composition music as a composition. That's the role of theISWC, administered by SACEM.
Structure of an ISRC code
A ISRC code consists of 12 characters divided into 5 distinct blocks.
| Block | Content | Length | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country code | ISO country code | 2 characters | FR |
| Registrant code | Identifies the first owner / registrant | 3 characters | AB1 |
| Year of allocation | Last 2 digits of the year | 2 characters | 26 |
| Sequential code | Registration number | 4 characters | 0042 |
| Unit code | 0 = phonogram (audio) · 1 = videogram (clip) | 1 character | 0 |
FRAB12600421 — videogram (clip)
This format guarantees that no recording in the world can have the same code as another. Allocation usually happens at the pre-mastering, just before distribution.
Why the ISRC code is essential
Stream tracking
Each play on Spotify, Apple Music or Deezer is attributed using the ISRC. Without it, it's impossible to know how many times your track has been played — and therefore impossible to pay you.
Royalties payment
SCPP and SPPF use the ISRC to collect neighbouring rights, distribute revenues between producers and performing artists, and track exploitation internationally.
Radio & synchronisation
Monitoring systems radio identify tracks via their audio fingerprint associated with the ISRC. It's also thanks to it that sync revenues (ads, film, TV series) are correctly attributed.
Without an ISRC, your neighbouring rights fall through the cracks — even if your music If it's played thousands of times, no organisation can track and redistribute the corresponding revenues.
How to obtain an ISRC code — 3 methods
Via your digital distributor The simplest
Most distributors — DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, Believe, iMusician — automatically assign an ISRC to each submitted track. No extra steps required. Only drawback: if you change distributor, keep a record of your ISRCs to avoid duplicates.
Via a national organisation — SCPP or SPPF
In France, the SCPP or the SPPF assign ISRC roots to producers. Internationally, it's theIFPI which manages the system. You can request an ISRC root even without being affiliated with these organisations — requests are usually processed within 48 working hours.
Via your label or producer
If you're signed to label, it's usually the first owner of the recording (the label, which owns the masters) who assigns the ISRC via its own producer root. In the case of a licence or representation, it's also the first owner who handles it.
Always keep an up-to-date database of all your ISRCs — it's metadata you should keep for life, especially if you change distributor or label over the course of your career.
ISRC vs UPC: what's the difference ?
ISRC and UPC (Universal Product Code, also called EAN in Europe) are often confused. Here's the clear distinction:
| ISRC | UPC / EAN | |
|---|---|---|
| Identifies | An individual recording (a track) | A commercial product (album, EP, single) |
| Granularity | Per track | Per release |
| Usage | Tracking plays, royalties, sync | Sales, cataloguing, 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.
ISRC vs ISWC: recording vs composition
Another common confusion — the ISRC and theISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) do not cover the same thing.
🎙️ ISRC
- Identifies therecording
- Managed by distributors, SCPP, SPPF
- Related to neighbouring rights (producer, performer)
- A track can have multiple ISRCs (versions)
✍️ ISWC
- Identifies theœuvre musicale (composition)
- Managed by the SACEM
- Related to copyright (author, composer)
- An ISWC can be linked to multiple ISRCs
And before your ISRC? Protect your recording
The ISRC lets your recording be tracked and earn royalties once distributed. But a crucial step is often overlooked: what happens before you assign an ISRC to your track?
The problem: between the moment you finalise your master and the moment you distribute it with its ISRC, nothing proves you are the creator of that recording. If a demo circulates, or you send your file to a collaborator or a label before the official release — you have no dated proof.
That's exactly what it solves TuneLockr : a time-stamped proof of precedence on the Tezos blockchain, created in 2 minutes, before that your file doesn't circulate — well before the ISRC is assigned during final mastering.
🔐 TuneLockr — before release
Proof that you are the creator of the file, right from the demo, before any submission or collaboration.
🎵 ISRC — during mastering
Unique identifier for tracking plays and paying royalties after distribution.
The right workflow: 1) You create your demo → protect it on TuneLockr. 2) You finalise your master → assign your ISRC via your distributor. 3) You distribute → register with the SCPP/SPPF to collect your neighbouring rights. The three steps are complementary, not competing.
Common mistakes to avoid with the ISRC codes
❌ Reusing an ISRC
Each version of a track (remix, remaster, live) must have its own ISRC. Never recycle a code.
❌ Forgetting to retain your ISRCs
If you change distributor and lose your old ISRCs, you risk duplicates — your streams will be split across two separate listings.
❌ Confusing ISRC and ISWC
The ISRC identifies the recording, the ISWC identifies the composition. Two complementary but distinct systems.
❌ Failing to register your ISRCs
Having an ISRC isn't enough. You also need to register with the SCPP or the SPPF and declare your recordings there to collect your rights.
❌ Not checking your distributor
Even if your distributor assigns ISRCs automatically, always check they are consistent across your catalogue.
❌ Releasing without prior protection
Sending your demo without proof of prior authorship, before you even think about the ISRC, exposes you in the event of a dispute over authorship.
🔐 Protect your recording before mastering
TuneLockr — blockchain proof of precedence in 2 minutes. First upload free, no card required.
Protect my recording →After your ISRC: promotion
Once your ISRC is assigned and your track is distributed — the real question becomes: how do you get this track heard? The ISRC ensures you'll be paid correctly for each stream, but it won't generate any streams on its own.
Radio
A properly configured ISRC makes radio monitoring easier — but first your track needs to be submitted and scheduled. See: get on the radio.
Playlists
Spotify editorial playlists and independent curators are essential for generating streams tracked by your ISRC.
Media & press
Press coverage around your release boosts discovery of your track — and thus the number of streams counted.
Beathoven supports this stage — radio, media, playlists, TikTok and release strategy. See: our music promotion services.
FAQ — ISRC Codes
Technically you can distribute without an ISRC, but it's strongly discouraged. Without an ISRC, your streams aren't tracked, your neighbouring rights aren't collected and your music is invisible to collecting organisations. All major platforms require or automatically assign an ISRC.
Yes, in most cases. Your digital distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, Believe) assigns it free of charge. A direct request for an ISRC root from the SCPP, the SPPF or the IFPI may incur a small administrative fee.
Yes, absolutely. The ISRC is attached to the recording, not the distributor. If you move to another distributor, reuse the same ISRCs to avoid duplicates, which would split your streaming stats across two listings.
The ISRC identifies the sound recording (the master). The ISWC identifies the musical work (the composition), managed by SACEM. The same ISWC can be linked to several ISRCs if the song has been recorded multiple times by different artists.
Yes for a remix — it’s a new recording, so a new ISRC, even if the underlying composition remains the same. A featuring is part of the same recording as the main track and generally does not need a separate ISRC, unless it is distributed as a standalone release.
The last character (unit code) distinguishes the two: 0 for a phonogram (audio), 1 for a videogram (music video). A video will therefore have a different ISRC from the audio recording, even if it’s the same track.
No. Requests for an ISRC root are open to everyone, even without being affiliated with these organisations. Requests are processed within around 48 working hours by the SPPF.
Yes — it’s a step often overlooked. The ISRC allows you to trace your recording once it’s distributed, but before that, nothing proves you are the author in the event of a dispute. TuneLockr create this proof in 2 minutes, in addition to the ISRC assigned at mastering.
Additional resources
Music promotion
Radio, press, playlists, digital.
See →Release a single
Checklist J-30 to J+30.
Read →Protect your music
First registration free.
Protect →Get on the radio
2 offers from €500 excl. VAT.
See →Music copyright
Complete guide.
Read →Get onto Spotify playlists
Editorial pitching guide.
Read →Official sources: SCPP · SPPF · IFPI — ISRC · SACEM
