What is a UPC?
The UPC (Universal Product Code, known in Europe as EAN) is your release’s barcode — the unique product number under which Spotify, Apple Music and every other store lists your single, EP or album. While the ISRC identifies the individual track, the UPC bundles the whole release as a sellable product.
Why does a release need a UPC?
Every release needs exactly one UPC — including a one-track single. Stores use it for catalog management, chart reporting and release-level accounting. Without a UPC, no DSP accepts your release. One UPC per release plus one ISRC per track is the addressing system of the entire music industry.
How do I get a UPC for my music?
Again: nothing to apply for. Your distributor generates the UPC automatically when you create the release. OGRECORDS™ assigns UPC/EAN free of charge for every release in the wizard. If you migrate an existing release from another distributor, enter the existing UPC — the stores keep treating the release as the same product and chart and playlist history survive.
UPC, EAN, catalog number — what is what?
UPC (12 digits, US standard) and EAN (13 digits, European standard) mean the same thing in a music context: the release’s product barcode. The catalog number is an internal label number (at OGRECORDS™ it is auto-generated in the format OGR-2026-00001) — it is for your own archive, not for the stores.
Frequently asked questions
Does a UPC cost anything?
Not at OGRECORDS™ — the UPC is generated automatically and free with every release. Individually purchased UPCs (e.g. from GS1) cost money and are unnecessary for music releases through a distributor.
Does a single need its own UPC?
Yes. Every release — even a one-track single — is its own product and needs its own UPC. The track inside additionally has its own ISRC.
Can I reuse the same UPC for a re-release?
Only if the release stays identical (same tracks, same order). If the tracklist or the format changes, it is a new product and needs a new UPC.
Enough theory — get going.
You now know what happens between upload and stream. The release wizard handles the rest.
Release now →