Alongside the ISRC, there’s a second code attached to your music: the UPC. If the ISRC identifies a single recording, the UPC identifies the whole release it belongs to. Here’s what that means and how to get one.
What is a UPC?
UPC stands for Universal Product Code — the same 12-digit barcode standard you see on products in shops. In music, it identifies a release as a single product. Whether you’re putting out a single, an EP or a full album, that release gets one UPC. If your album has 10 tracks, the album has one UPC and each of the 10 tracks has its own ISRC.
UPC vs ISRC, the simple version
- ISRC = one recording (one track or version).
- UPC = one release (the single, EP or album that holds the tracks).
A 3-track EP, for example, has one UPC and three ISRCs.
Why your release needs a UPC
- Release-level tracking — it lets platforms and chart companies count your EP or album as one product.
- Charting — album charts are reported using the UPC.
- Store catalogues — it’s how digital stores file and find your release.
- Keeping versions separate — a deluxe edition or a re-release is a new product, so it gets its own UPC.
Where to get one
Same as the ISRC: your distributor assigns a UPC to each release automatically, usually for free, so you generally don’t need to buy one. (If you ever release outside a distributor and need your own, UPCs come from GS1, the body that manages the barcode standard — but that’s rarely necessary for independent artists.)
Quick FAQ
- Is a UPC the same as a barcode? Yes — a UPC is a type of barcode, and for digital releases it’s the number that matters.
- Do singles need a UPC? Yes — a single is still a release, so it gets one UPC and one ISRC.
- Can I reuse a UPC for a re-release? No — a new product, like a remaster or deluxe version, needs a new UPC.
