ISRC: the code for a recording
The International Standard Recording Code identifies one specific recording. It is an international standard (ISO 3901), administered by IFPI and issued through national ISRC agencies. An ISRC has 12 characters, often written with hyphens for readability, for example JP-ABC-26-00001:
- Two letters for the country of the registrant’s prefix.
- Three characters identifying the registrant — the label, artist or distributor issuing the code.
- Two digits for the year the code was assigned.
- Five digits that the registrant assigns, unique within that year.
The country part does not limit where the music is sold, and the year is the year of assignment, not necessarily the year of recording.
When a recording needs a new ISRC
Because the ISRC identifies a recording, not a song, each different recording gets its own:
- A remix, a radio edit, an acoustic version or a live recording: new ISRC.
- A re-recording of the same song: new ISRC.
- A remaster or other changed version: usually a new ISRC.
- The same recording on a single, then on the album, then on a compilation: the same ISRC.
UPC: the code for a release
The Universal Product Code identifies a product — in music, a release: a single, an EP or an album. It is a barcode number from the GS1 system: 12 digits as a UPC, or 13 as an EAN, which works the same way. A single and the album it later appears on have different UPCs, even if they share a recording.
In short: ISRC per recording, UPC per release. A five-track EP has five ISRCs and one UPC.
Who issues them
Most independent artists get both from their distributor, which assigns them during upload at no extra step. You can also issue ISRCs yourself by registering with your country’s ISRC agency, which is useful if you release through several channels and want one consistent set of codes. UPCs can be bought from GS1 or come from your distributor.
Where to find yours
Open the release at your distributor
Sign in to your distributor and open the release. Most show the UPC in the release details.
Look at each track
Each track’s ISRC is usually shown in the track list or track details of the same release.
Check your own files
If you assign ISRCs yourself, they are in your own records or your national ISRC agency’s system.
For older or other releases
Ask the distributor or label that delivered it, or search IFPI’s public ISRC search by artist and title.
Common mix-ups
- ISRC versus ISWC. The ISWC identifies the composition — the song as written — and is handled by music publishers and collecting societies. The ISRC identifies a recording of it. A cover version has its own ISRC but shares the song’s ISWC.
- One UPC for a single and its album. They are different products and need different UPCs, even when the recording is the same.
- A new ISRC for a re-upload. If you take a release down and upload the same recording again, reuse the original ISRC so its history stays together.
- Typing codes by hand. One wrong character points to a different recording. Copy and paste from your distributor instead.
Why they matter beyond the store
- Royalties. Performance rights and neighbouring rights organisations match plays and broadcasts to recordings by ISRC.
- Charts and reports. Sales and streams are counted per ISRC and per UPC.
- Linking the right version. A smart link that matches by code finds the exact recording, not a cover or a different version with the same title.
When you paste a Spotify, Apple Music or Deezer link into listenthru, it reads the ISRC or UPC that service reports and uses it to find the same recording or release on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and TIDAL. On release day it uses the same codes to find the release that a pre-save page was waiting for. See smart links explained.
Questions
What is the difference between ISRC and UPC?
An ISRC identifies a single recording; a UPC identifies a release (a single, EP or album). One album has one UPC and an ISRC for each track.
Does a remix need a new ISRC?
Yes. Each different recording or version gets its own ISRC. The same recording reused on another release keeps its ISRC.
Can I get ISRCs for free?
Most distributors assign them as part of uploading a release. Registering as an ISRC registrant with your national agency is another route; terms vary by country.
Is an EAN the same as a UPC?
An EAN is the 13-digit version of the same barcode system. Stores and distributors accept either for a release.