What is a split sheet, and how do you get one signed?

What goes on a split sheet

• The song: its title, the date it was written, and the version or working title if it changed.
• Each writer: legal name, what they wrote (lyrics, music or both) and their share, in percent.
• For royalties: each writer’s collection society (PRO), their IPI number, and their publisher if they have one.
• The total: the shares add up to exactly 100%.
• Signatures: every writer, with the date.

When to do it

1. At the end of the writing session, before anyone leaves.
2. Again if someone new adds to the song, with everyone signing the new sheet.
3. In every case before the song is released, registered with a society, or sent to a publisher, label or sync agent.

Composition and master: two different splits

The writers own the composition. Whoever paid for or made the recording usually owns the master. Producers often have a share of both. Keep them in two separate tables so nobody reads one as the other.

Getting everyone to sign

• Send each writer their own link, not one PDF passed around a group chat.
• Make sure everyone signs the same version: if a share changes, every signature starts again.
• Keep the signed sheet with the song’s audio and lyrics, where you will find it in five years.

Common questions

Is a split sheet a legal contract?

It is a written agreement between the writers, and it is the record publishers, collection societies and lawyers ask for first. It is not a publishing or label deal. For anything with money attached, ask a music lawyer.

Who should be on the split sheet?

Everyone who wrote part of the song: lyrics, melody or the music. Producers who wrote parts of the music are writers too. Who gets what is agreed by the people on it; there is no fixed rule.

What is the difference between composition and master splits?

The composition is the song itself (words and music), owned by its writers and their publishers. The master is one recording of it, usually owned by the artist, producer or label. They are separate, and a sheet can list both.

What is an IPI number?

The number a collection society (ASCAP, BMI, PRS, GEMA and others) gives each writer and publisher, so royalties reach the right person. Put it on the sheet next to each writer’s name.

What if we change the splits later?

Write a new sheet and have everyone sign it again. A sheet signed before the change no longer says what was agreed.

Or do it in Songcase

Songcase keeps a split sheet with each song: composition and master in two tables that must each add up to 100%, every person’s role, society, IPI number and publisher. Each person signs by link with their typed name, the signed sheet downloads as a PDF, and changing any share asks everyone to sign again. Songcase is free to start; sending a sheet for signatures comes with membership. See Songcase.

This guide explains common practice. It is not legal advice.