What is an ISRC?
The ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is the globally unique identifier of a single sound recording — essentially your track’s VIN number. Every stream, download and radio play is attributed to your recording through this code. Without an ISRC, no platform can correctly account for who a stream belongs to.
ISRC: What does the abbreviation stand for?
ISRC stands for "International Standard Recording Code", standardized as ISO 3901. The code identifies the recording, not the song: remixes, live versions, and remasters each get their own ISRC, as do cover versions. You don't need to apply for it as an artist — your distributor assigns it automatically at release.
How an ISRC is structured
An ISRC always has 12 characters in four blocks, for example DE-AB1-26-00007: the country code of the issuer (DE), the registrant code of the label or distributor (AB1), the year of assignment (26) and a five-digit serial number (00007). Important: the code identifies the recording, not the song — a remix, a live version or a remaster each get their own ISRC.
How do I get an ISRC?
As an independent artist, you don’t need to worry about anything: your music distributor automatically assigns the codes at release. At OGRECORDS™, this happens in the Release Wizard — every track gets its ISRC, and every release gets its UPC, without application or extra cost. Only if you bring already assigned ISRCs (e.g. from a previous distributor) do you enter them, so stores can recognize the release.
ISRCs when switching distributors
When you switch distribution, the ISRC is your most important tool: keep the code and Spotify & co. recognize the recording — playlists, streams and algorithmic data survive. A new ISRC for the same recording resets the counters to zero. So the rule is: same recording, same ISRC — always.
Frequently asked questions
Does an ISRC cost anything?
Via a distributor: no. OGRECORDS™ assigns ISRCs automatically and free of charge with every release. Only labels applying for their own registrant codes directly with the national ISRC agency may pay fees there.
What is the difference between ISRC and UPC?
The ISRC identifies a single sound recording (the track), the UPC/EAN identifies the release as a product (single, EP or album). An EP with five tracks therefore has five ISRCs and one UPC.
Does a remix need its own ISRC?
Yes. Every distinct recording — remix, live version, acoustic version, remaster — gets its own ISRC, because it is accounted and analyzed separately.
Can I take my ISRCs to a new distributor?
Yes, and you should: with the same ISRC, platforms can recognize the recording. This is the best foundation for your stream history. This isn't guaranteed: Spotify sometimes assigns new track IDs, so old numbers may be missing. At OGRECORDS™, you simply enter existing ISRCs in the Release Wizard.
Get your next release right.
The release wizard handles ISRCs, UPCs, credits and metadata for you — delivered to Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok and every other store.