ISRC

Audiodrome | Last Updated: March 20th, 2026 | 4 min read | Glossary

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It is the unique identifier used for a specific sound recording or music video recording, helping platforms, distributors, labels, and rights teams track that exact recording across releases and services.

Quick facts:
Also called: International Standard Recording Code
Applies to: sound recordings and music video recordings
Used for: recording identification, distribution workflows, catalog management, and reporting
Not the same as: ISWC, UPC, copyright registration, or ownership proof.

Example:
If the same recording is delivered to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other services, the ISRC helps identify that recording consistently across platforms. That makes catalog tracking, metadata handling, and reporting much cleaner when a track moves through multiple release and distribution workflows.

Gotchas:

  • ISRC identifies the recording, not the song as a composition. That is why it should not be confused with ISWC or other publishing-side identifiers.
  • A sound recording and a music video recording need separate ISRCs, even when they use the same audio.
  • The code has 12 alphanumeric characters. The printed “ISRC” prefix and hyphens are display formatting, not part of the code itself.
  • ISRC helps with tracking and reporting, but it is not ownership proof and does not replace legal documentation.

FAQs

It identifies a specific sound recording or music video recording. It does not identify the musical work itself and it does not identify the release product as a whole.

No. It is a standard recording identifier used in distribution and catalog workflows, not a substitute for copyright registration or ownership records.

Yes. IFPI’s FAQ explains that once an ISRC has been assigned to a track, it should remain the same for the lifespan of that track, even if ownership changes.

Recording owners can assign ISRCs to their recordings. Self-releasing creators can use the official creator path, while labels can apply for an ISRC prefix and assign codes in line with the standard.

The ISRC is made up of three elements: Prefix Code, Year of Reference, and Designation Code. Together, they form the 12-character identifier.

Related terms

Metadata • Embedded Metadata • UPC • ISWC • Distribution Rights • Master Rights • Audio File • File Format • Track ID