Updated: November 2026 · Diskover Team
Quick answer: The ISRC is the code that identifies each recording (each song) and the UPC is the code that identifies the whole release (single, EP or album). Both are essential to release music on Spotify, Apple Music or TikTok and to make sure your royalties reach the right people. If you distribute with Diskover, we assign them free of charge when you upload your release, with no extra paperwork.
When you upload your first song to a distributor, two acronyms tend to raise plenty of questions: ISRC and UPC. They are not a minor technical detail: they are the codes platforms use to count your streams and pay you. In this guide we explain what they are, how they differ, how to get them and the mistakes we see most often at Diskover.
What is an ISRC?
The ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a recording’s ID card. It is an international standard (ISO 3901) managed by the IFPI, and it lets platforms, collecting societies and distributors know exactly which recording has been played, how many times and who needs to be paid.
Every track carries its own ISRC. If you release a five-track EP, you will have five different ISRCs.
How to read an ISRC
It has 12 characters split into three blocks. For example (a made-up code): ES-AB1-26-00001.
| Block | Example | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix (5 characters) | ES-AB1 | The registrant code, i.e. whoever assigns the ISRC. It is issued by the national agency and, since 2019, has no fixed geographical meaning. |
| Year (2 digits) | 26 | The year the code was assigned, which need not match the year of recording. |
| Designation (5 digits) | 00001 | The number of the recording within that year’s sequence. |
What is a UPC (or EAN)?
The UPC (Universal Product Code) identifies the product, meaning the whole release. It is the classic barcode applied to digital music. In Europe you will also see the EAN, which has 13 digits; the UPC has 12. For platforms they do the same job.
A single has one UPC and one ISRC. A 10-track album has one UPC and 10 ISRCs.
ISRC vs UPC at a glance
| ISRC | UPC / EAN | |
|---|---|---|
| Identifies | A recording | A release |
| How many you need | One per track | One per release |
| Format | 12 alphanumeric characters | 12 digits (UPC) or 13 (EAN) |
| What it is for | Counting streams and splitting royalties song by song | Cataloguing the product in stores and on platforms |
| You need a new one if… | You make a remix, an acoustic, a live version or a remaster | You put out another release (a different tracklist, a deluxe edition) |
Do not confuse the ISRC with the ISWC: the ISWC identifies the composition (lyrics and music), not the recording, and it is the one used for songwriting rights and publishing.
How to get an ISRC and a UPC
Option 1: through your distributor (the easiest)
For an independent artist, the usual route is for the distributor to assign the codes. At Diskover we do it free and automatically: you upload the audio and artwork, fill in the details and we generate the ISRC for each track and the UPC for the release. Your song can be live on Spotify in under 24 hours.
If you have a question about the codes, you talk to a real person: our customer support is human and fast, and you can find us in Madrid (Luis I 86, 28031). You will find the whole process in our guide on how to upload music to Spotify.
Option 2: apply for your own registrant code in Spain
If you are a producer or run a label and plan to release a lot, you can apply for your own prefix from the national ISRC agency. In Spain that is AGEDI, according to the IFPI’s official directory of agencies. With your own prefix you assign the codes yourself and keep a register of every recording.
Bear in mind that you then become responsible for never repeating codes and keeping the register up to date. For most artists it is not worth it: it is more work and you do not earn a penny more for having your own prefix.
What about getting a UPC myself?
Barcodes are managed by GS1, the international barcode standards organisation, through a company membership fee. For a digital release it only makes sense if you already run a label; otherwise, let your distributor assign it.
Common ISRC mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Reusing the ISRC from another version. A remix, an acoustic, a live take, a sped up version or a remaster are different recordings and each needs its own ISRC.
- Generating a new ISRC when you switch distributor. The ISRC does not change when you change distributor or rights holder. If you create a new one, the platform treats it as a different recording and you can lose your stream count and playlists. If you are bringing previously released songs to Diskover, message us before uploading them and we will help you.
- Using the same ISRC for different audio. Each code must match one exact recording.
- Not keeping a record of your codes. Note them in a spreadsheet with title, version, date, ISRC and UPC. You will need them to register your recordings with collecting societies, for YouTube Content ID or to report any issue.
Why the ISRC is tied to your income
The ISRC is the key to your income: it is how stream data gets matched to payouts. If a code is wrong or duplicated, your money can be delayed or end up in the wrong place. We go into detail in what song royalties are and how to collect them, and you can estimate what your streams generate with our Spotify royalty calculator.
What is more, your catalogue is safe with Diskover: if you ever stop paying, we do not delete your music. It moves to the free plan with an 80/20 split, so your songs, their ISRCs and their streams stay live.
Before you release: quick checklist
- Final audio in WAV and artwork ready.
- Correct credits: performers, songwriters and producers.
- Check whether any track already has an ISRC (for example, if it was released before) so you do not duplicate it.
- One UPC per release: if you change the tracklist, it is a new release.
Still recording? Artists on the Unlimited or PRO plan get 10% off at Diskover Studios, at our film set for your music video and on micro-influencer campaigns with ZYNK.
Ready to release? Upload your next release with Diskover: free ISRC and UPC, live on Spotify in under 24 hours and 3 free songs to get started on the Starter plan. Start distributing your music with Diskover.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ISRC code free?
With Diskover, yes: we assign an ISRC to every track and a UPC to every release free of charge when you upload your music. If you would rather have your own registrant code, you will need to apply to the national agency and manage the register yourself.
How many ISRCs does an album need?
One per track. A 10-track album has 10 different ISRCs and a single UPC for the whole release.
Does the ISRC change if I switch distributor?
No. The ISRC stays with the recording for good, even if you change distributor or rights holder. Keeping the same code is what lets you keep the song’s streams and history.
Where can I find my song’s ISRC?
Your distributor gives it to you when the release goes out. If you distribute with Diskover and cannot find it, drop us a message and we will send it over: our customer support is human and fast.
What is the difference between ISRC and ISWC?
The ISRC identifies the recording (the master) and the ISWC identifies the composition (lyrics and music). One song can have a single ISWC and several ISRCs, one for each recorded version.
