UPC and EAN
A UPC (Universal Product Code) is a 12-digit product number from the GS1 system, the same one that puts barcodes on everything in a supermarket. Outside North America the 13-digit EAN is common; it is the same system, and a UPC can be written as an EAN by adding a leading zero. Stores accept either.
In music, the UPC identifies the release as a whole: its title, its artwork, its track list and its label. Stores, charts and sales reports use it to tell one release from another.
UPC versus ISRC
| UPC / EAN | ISRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Identifies | A release — single, EP or album | A recording — one track |
| Length | 12 or 13 digits | 12 characters |
| How many | One per release | One per track |
| Changes when | The release changes | The audio changes |
A single has one UPC and one ISRC. An album of twelve tracks has one UPC and twelve ISRCs. If one of those tracks was released as a single first, it keeps its ISRC on the album, but the album has its own UPC. More on that in What is an ISRC code?
When a release needs a new UPC
- A new release — every single, EP, album and compilation gets its own
- A changed track list — adding a bonus track or a remix makes it a new product
- A deluxe or expanded edition released alongside the original
Keep the same UPC when you only correct a typo, update artwork or move the release to another distributor. Re-using the UPC is what lets stores recognise the release and keep its history.
How to get a UPC
You can buy a GS1 company prefix and issue barcodes yourself, which mostly makes sense for labels selling physical products as well. For digital releases a distributor provides one.
On TempoDigital the platform creates a UPC for every release, free, on every plan. If the release already has a UPC from an earlier delivery, enter it instead.