ISRC Finder
Find a recording’s ISRC by song, artist or Spotify URL, or enter an ISRC to find its track. Search the US or UK Spotify catalogue for free, with no sign-up.
02 What is an ISRC?
An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a 12-character code that identifies a particular sound recording, for example GBAYE0601498. Your distributor usually assigns one when you release. This finder displays the code held in Spotify’s catalogue.
03 Reading your ISRC lookup result
Compare the artist, title, album and duration before selecting a result. A live recording, remix or other version may appear alongside the track you intended to find.
Keep the code with the matching release details. If the result conflicts with your distributor’s metadata, ask them to confirm the correct entry before using it for release administration.
For more information about recording codes and how they are assigned, see IFPI’s ISRC guidance. Once your release details are ready, our Music PR service can help you introduce your music to relevant press and publications.
04 How to find an ISRC code for a song
Find an ISRC using Spotify
- Copy the Spotify track link for the recording you want, or enter its song title and artist above.
- Choose the UK or US catalogue and select Find ISRC.
- Compare the title, artist, duration and release details, then copy the code beside the correct result.
A direct track link helps distinguish versions with similar names. You can also paste an album link to look up codes for up to its first 50 tracks. If nothing appears, try the other catalogue; availability can differ between markets.
Find an ISRC for an Apple Music release
This finder uses Spotify data and does not accept Apple Music URLs. If the same recording is on Spotify, search for its title and artist here and compare the version carefully. For your own Apple Music release, confirm the ISRC in the metadata supplied by your distributor or label.
Check your distributor dashboard
- Sign in to the distributor that delivered your release and open the single or album.
- Open the track details and look for the ISRC field; the release-level UPC is a different identifier.
- If the code is missing, ask the distributor or label to confirm it before assigning another.
For example, DistroKid lists assigned ISRCs beside the track titles on the release page. Your dashboard is also the place to check an unreleased recording that is not yet in Spotify’s catalogue.
05 How to look up a song by its ISRC
Reverse ISRC lookup starts with a code and returns its matching recording details. It is useful when a statement or release spreadsheet gives you an ISRC but you need to check which track it identifies.
- Paste the code, for example
GBAYE0601498orGB-AYE-06-01498, into the finder. - Choose the UK or US catalogue and select Find ISRC.
- Compare the returned title, artist and version. More than one release can carry the same recording.
The finder accepts lowercase letters, spaces and hyphens. Results are limited to matching ISRCs returned by Spotify in the selected market; an empty result is not proof that the code does not exist.
06 How an ISRC code is structured
An ISRC has 12 characters. Using GB-AYE-06-01498 as an example:
| Part | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix | GBAYE | Five characters allocated through an ISRC agency. Traditionally described as a two-letter country code plus a three-character registrant code. |
| Year of reference | 06 | The last two digits of the year the ISRC was assigned, which may differ from the recording or release year. |
| Designation | 01498 | Five digits distinguishing the recording within the prefix and reference year. |
Hyphens make the code easier to read but are not part of its 12 characters. A correctly formed code alone does not confirm a catalogue match or ownership. See IFPI’s explanation of ISRC structure.
07 ISRC vs UPC: what’s the difference?
| Identifier | Identifies | Example use |
|---|---|---|
| ISRC | An individual recording | Matching a track across releases and royalty reports |
| UPC / EAN | A release product, such as a single or album | Identifying the release delivered to stores |
An album can have a release barcode and a separate ISRC for each recording. An unchanged recording can keep its ISRC when it appears on another release. Use the track’s ISRC when checking recording metadata; use the release barcode when discussing the album or single product with your distributor.
08 How to get an ISRC code and what it costs
First check whether the recording already has a code. This free ISRC lookup finds existing metadata; it does not assign new codes.
Through your distributor
Check whether code assignment is included in your distribution plan. DistroKid, for example, assigns ISRCs automatically without a separate charge. Distribution subscriptions or release fees are separate from the cost of the identifier.
Through your label or an ISRC manager
Ask the organisation handling your recordings whether it assigns codes on your behalf and what its service costs. Request the assigned codes with the release metadata so you can keep your own records.
Through an ISRC agency or assignment service
IFPI provides guidance on obtaining a prefix for assigning your own codes and an online assignment route. Check the applicable agency or service’s current fees and terms; there is no single price that covers every route or territory. Start with IFPI’s Get ISRC guidance.
If you do not have a code, confirm the assignment route before delivery. Keep an existing ISRC for the same recording; a new remix or materially different recording may need its own code.
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