If you're about to release your music on iTunes or Apple Music, you need to know which barcode for iTunes you actually require before uploading anything. The short answer: every release (album, EP or single) needs an EAN or UPC code that identifies it as a product, and every individual track needs its own ISRC. They are two different things, and here we explain exactly which one applies to you, how many to buy and how to get your EAN the same day.
EAN/UPC versus ISRC: the difference you need to understand
This is the question every artist or label has the first time around, so let's get straight to the point:
- EAN or UPC = identifies the RELEASE (the album, EP or single as a product). It's the good old barcode, the same one a physical disc would carry in a shop. In digital distribution it works as the unique identifier of your "release". Worldwide, this number is known as what an EAN barcode is (GTIN), and it covers both the European EAN-13 and the US UPC-A.
- ISRC = identifies each SONG (each individual recording). It's the International Standard Recording Code and it's used to track plays, sales and royalties track by track.
In other words: the EAN/UPC wraps up the whole package, and the ISRCs label what's inside. A ten-track album carries one EAN/UPC and ten ISRCs.
Comparison table: EAN-13, UPC-A and ISRC
| Code | What it identifies | Format | Who assigns it |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 | The release (album/EP/single) | 13 digits (includes the country prefix, e.g. 84x for Spain) | GS1 system (you can buy it from a reseller like EAN CODA) |
| UPC-A | The release (album/EP/single) | 12 digits (format used in the US and Canada) | GS1 system |
| ISRC | Each individual song or recording | 12 alphanumeric characters (country + registrant + year + designation) | National ISRC agency or your distributor/aggregator |
EAN-13 and UPC-A are interchangeable for digital catalogue purposes: both are valid GTINs and every platform accepts them. If you want to dig into why some are 13 digits and others shorter, we cover it in the difference between EAN-13 and EAN-8. One important note: there is NO such thing as an "EAN-84"; 84 is just the country prefix that goes inside the Spanish EAN-13, and it's managed by GS1.
Which code you need depending on what you're releasing
You're putting out an album, an EP or a single
You need one EAN or UPC per release. It doesn't matter if the single has just one song: as a product, it's still a release and carries its own barcode. If in the same month you put out an album and a standalone single, those are two releases and therefore two codes.
You're registering individual songs
Every track needs its own ISRC, no exceptions. That's what lets iTunes, Apple Music and the collecting societies know which recording was played or sold and pay out the corresponding royalties.
You want to appear on charts like Billboard
For your sales to count in chart-tracking systems, a UPC tied to the release is required. The barcode number is, once again, the one that identifies the product being sold.
Practical example: I'm releasing a 5-track EP
Let's say you put out an EP with five tracks. This is exactly what you need:
- 1 EAN or UPC code for the complete EP (the release).
- 5 ISRC codes, one for each of the five songs.
With that your EP is perfectly identified: the EAN/UPC for the whole, and one ISRC per track. If you later re-release one of those songs on another release, you reuse its original ISRC (the recording is the same) but the new release will carry its own EAN/UPC.
iTunes, Apple Music and aggregators in 2026
It's worth clarifying something, because there's a lot of outdated information floating around: the old iTunes Store for song downloads has been all but replaced by Apple Music and the streaming ecosystem. Today, the norm isn't uploading your music directly to Apple, but doing it through a distributor or aggregator: DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, Believe and the like.
This raises a key question: do I have to buy the code myself or is it given to me? It depends on the aggregator. Many generate the release UPC and the song ISRCs automatically and free of charge. But there are good reasons to want your own code:
- You want to own the identifier and keep it even if you switch distributors.
- Your aggregator plan doesn't include codes or charges you for them.
- You're also going to sell in physical format (CD/vinyl) or through other channels and prefer a single, consistent EAN for everything.
- You distribute independently and need the GTIN yourself.
If you also sell on other platforms, you'll want to check out the barcode for Amazon, the EAN for Google Shopping or the barcode for eBay, because the same EAN works for you across multiple channels.
Important: what we sell and what we don't
To avoid any confusion: at EAN CODA we sell you EAN and UPC codes (the barcodes that identify your release). They are legitimate GS1 codes that we assign as a reseller, a faster and cheaper alternative to registering with GS1 yourself.
What we do not issue is the ISRC. You get the ISRC through your national ISRC agency or, in most cases, your aggregator generates it directly (DistroKid, CD Baby, etc.) when you upload each song. So the split usually ends up like this: you buy your EAN/UPC with us and let the distributor handle the ISRC.
How to get your EAN code for iTunes
Buying your EAN takes just a few minutes and you receive it by email the same day. The process is very simple:
- State how many codes you need (remember: one per release you're going to publish).
- Complete the payment. It's a one-off payment, with no annual fees, with prices from €3.
- You receive your code by email within minutes. Each code is unique and permanent: it's yours forever.
You can buy your EAN code for iTunes directly in our panel, or use the purchase widget on the home page to choose the quantity and pay in a couple of clicks.
In what format do I receive the code?
For digital distribution you usually only need the number: that's what your aggregator or iTunes attaches to the release listing, not the printed image. Even so, if you also want it as an image (for example for a physical CD or vinyl), we deliver it in a print-ready graphic format:
- JPEG: the most common format, lightweight and compatible with any program.
- TIFF: ideal when you need a transparent background or maximum quality.
- EPS: vector, the favourite of designers for final artwork.
Common mistakes when choosing the code
- Confusing EAN/UPC with ISRC. Buying an ISRC thinking it's the album's barcode (or vice versa) is the most frequent mistake. Remember: EAN/UPC = the release; ISRC = each song.
- Buying one code per song for the album. A ten-track album needs a single EAN/UPC, not ten.
- Reusing the same EAN on two different releases. Each release needs its own unique code.
- Paying twice for the code. If your aggregator already includes UPC and ISRC for free and you don't need to own the number, you may not need to buy it separately. Decide based on whether you want to keep the identifier.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a UPC or an EAN for iTunes?
Either one works: both are valid GTINs and digital platforms accept them interchangeably. EAN-13 is the European standard (13 digits) and UPC-A the US one (12 digits). For an album, EP or single you need one per release.
Does the EAN work for Apple Music?
Yes. Apple Music and iTunes use the EAN/UPC as the release identifier, just like any store. The code you buy for "iTunes" is exactly the same one that works for Apple Music and for your distributor.
What's the difference between UPC and ISRC?
The UPC (like the EAN) identifies the complete release as a product. The ISRC identifies each individual recording. A single with one song carries a UPC and an ISRC; a ten-track album carries one UPC and ten ISRCs.
How much does an EAN code for an album cost?
At EAN CODA, from €3 per code, as a one-off payment with no annual fees. Since each album needs a single EAN/UPC, that's the cost per release.
How long until I receive the code?
You receive it by email within minutes, usually the same day you buy. The code is unique and permanent, so it's yours for life.
Get your code now to release your music
If you're sure, don't wait until release day to have your code ready. Buy your EAN or UPC from €3, a one-off payment with no fees, and receive it by email within minutes to upload it to iTunes, Apple Music or your aggregator. Choose the quantity and buy your code here.
Selling in more places? Take a look at our barcode guides by platform to make the most of the same EAN across all your channels.