Quick Answer: What is the Difference Between ISRC and ISWC?
An ISRC identifies the sound recording (master), while an ISWC identifies the musical composition (publishing). You need both codes to ensure all your streaming royalties are tracked and paid out correctly by DSPs and PROs.
We at Six Eyes Music manage thousands of tracks for independent creators worldwide. Missing or incorrect music metadata ruins royalty payouts. Understanding the difference between ISRC and ISWC is non-negotiable for a professional music career.
What is an ISRC Code?
An ISRC tracks the sound recording itself. It acts as a digital fingerprint for your specific audio file, tracking streams and sales across all digital service providers.
ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. The IFPI allocates these globally. Every time your specific recording plays on Digital Service Providers (DSPs) like Spotify or Apple Music, the ISRC tells the platform exactly who owns the master rights.
The Anatomy of an ISRC
An ISRC is a 12-character alphanumeric code. It contains four distinct parts: the country code, the registrant code, the year of reference, and the designation code. This structure guarantees that no two audio files on the planet share the same identifier.
What is an ISWC Code?
An ISWC identifies the underlying musical composition. It tracks the lyrics and melody, ensuring songwriters and publishers receive performance and mechanical royalties regardless of who sings the song.
ISWC stands for International Standard Musical Work Code. CISAC allocates these globally through your local Performance Rights Organizations (PROs). If five different artists cover your song, all five master recordings will have different ISRCs, but they will all share your single ISWC. This connects all those versions back to your publishing rights.
ISRC vs ISWC: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between ISRC and ISWC is what they protect. The ISRC protects the audio file, while the ISWC protects the written song. You must understand this split to get paid.
| Feature | ISRC | ISWC |
| Stands For | International Standard Recording Code | International Standard Musical Work Code |
| Identifies | The Sound Recording (Master) | The Musical Composition (Publishing) |
| Allocated By | IFPI (via Distributors) | CISAC (via PROs) |
| Tracks For | Digital Service Providers (DSPs) | PROs and Publishing Administrators |
| Who Gets Paid | Record Label or Independent Artist | Songwriter and Publisher |
| Changes on a Cover? | Yes (New recording = New ISRC) | No (Same underlying song = Same ISWC) |
Do You Need New Codes for Remasters or Covers?
Yes, any change to the audio file requires a brand new ISRC to track the new recording correctly. However, the original ISWC remains the same because the lyrics and melody have not changed.
When you record an acoustic version or a radio edit of your original song, you are creating a new master. Therefore, you must generate a new ISRC for that specific file. If you record a cover of another artist’s song, your distributor will assign your recording a new ISRC, but it will be linked to the original songwriter’s ISWC.
How to Get Your Metadata Right
Securing your codes is straightforward when you use the right partners. You obtain ISWCs by registering your songs with your PRO, and you get ISRCs automatically through your distribution platform.
When you write a song, you register it with PROs to generate your ISWC. To fully understand how this impacts your income, read our breakdown on Mechanical vs Performance Royalties. Once your composition is registered, you need an ISRC for the master recording.
You can get your ISRC codes automatically when you distribute your music through our platform. Six Eyes Music embeds this code into your file before sending it to the DSPs. If you are uploading videos, check out how YouTube Content ID explained relies on this exact metadata to protect your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are the most common questions independent creators ask about music metadata. We break down exactly what you need to know about code generation and tracking.
Do I need to buy an ISRC code to upload to Spotify?
No. While you can purchase them directly from national agencies, most modern distributors assign them for free during the upload process.
How do I find my ISWC code?
You find your ISWC by logging into your PRO portal (like ASCAP, BMI, or PRS) and searching your registered catalog. It typically appears next to your song title once fully processed.
Can one song have multiple ISRC codes?
Yes, if the audio is altered. A radio edit, a live version, and a remix of the same track each require a unique ISRC.
Can I make up my own ISRC?
Absolutely not. ISRCs are official, globally recognized codes. Using a fake or improperly formatted code will cause your release to be rejected by DSPs.
Does Six Eyes Music provide ISRC codes for free?
Yes. We automatically assign free, official ISRC codes to all your tracks the moment you distribute your music through our system.