Music Royalty Calculator
Estimate master and publishing royalties and split them between collaborators.
1. Streams and rates
2. Fees and publishing
Publishing is paid on top of the master money, through your publisher, PRO and mechanical agency. The defaults are rough starting points. Change them to match your deals.
Gross streaming
$645
Master (after fee)
$581
Mechanical
$48.38
Performance
$48.38
3. Splits
| Name | Master % | Writing % | Estimate | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $455 | ||||
| $223 |
Master 100%
Writing 100%
Default rates are approximate public averages in US dollars, not exact figures. Rates vary by country, subscription type, distributor and month, so edit them to match your own statements. Results are estimates, not exact payouts.
How to use the royalty calculator
- 1
Enter your streams
Type streams for each platform. Edit the rate if your statements show a different figure.
- 2
Set fees and publishing
Add your distributor fee and a publishing estimate for mechanical and performance money.
- 3
Add collaborators
Give each person a master share and a writing share. Each column must total 100%.
- 4
Read each person's estimate
The tool shows each person's share of master plus publishing money.
The royalties a song earns
Master royalties
Paid to whoever owns the recording, usually through your distributor or label.
Mechanical royalties
Paid to songwriters and publishers each time the song is copied or streamed. Collected by agencies such as The MLC in the US.
Performance royalties
Paid to songwriters and publishers when the song is played in public or streamed. Collected by PROs such as ASCAP, BMI or PRS.
Master split vs writing split
The master split covers the recording. The writing split covers the song. A producer can own part of one and not the other.
Questions about music royalties
Does this show my exact royalties?
No. It gives an estimate from approximate public rates and your inputs. Your distributor, PRO and publisher statements show the real amounts.
What is the difference between master and publishing royalties?
Master royalties are paid for the recording. Publishing royalties, which include mechanical and performance money, are paid for the song itself.
Why must the splits total 100%?
Every share of the money has to belong to someone. If the total is not 100%, the tool shows a red lamp and holds the results.
What should I put for the publishing percentage?
It depends on the country and service. The 15% default is a rough starting point. Use your own statements if you have them.
Should I put splits in writing?
Yes. Agree splits with every collaborator and sign a split sheet before you release the song.