Song Length & Release Cost Calculator: Single, EP or Album?

How to use the song length and release cost calculator

List your tracks with their lengths (m:ss). The calculator adds up the total runtime, shows the average and the start time of each track, and tells you whether the release counts as a single, EP or album under the guideline most distributors use. Then fill in your own costs for distribution, mastering, mixing, artwork, ISRC and UPC codes, marketing and anything else to see the total budget, the cost per track and roughly how many streams it takes to break even. The numbers already in the boxes are examples only, so replace them with your real quotes.

Frequently asked questions

How long can a single be?

Under the common distributor guideline a single is 1 to 3 tracks, each under 10 minutes, with a total under 30 minutes. Check your distributor’s own rules before you upload.

What counts as an EP?

Usually 4 to 6 tracks with a total under 30 minutes, or 1 to 3 tracks where at least one runs 10 minutes or more.

How many songs make an album?

7 or more tracks, or any release that runs 30 minutes or longer, is normally treated as an album.

How much does it cost to release a song?

It depends on your choices. The main costs are distribution, mixing and mastering, artwork, codes like ISRC and UPC, and marketing. Enter your own quotes to get a total and a per-track cost.

How many streams do I need to break even?

Divide your total budget by what you earn per stream. Payouts vary by platform, country and deal, so use the rate from your own statements if you have one.

Is my data saved or sent anywhere?

No. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.

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