What is an IPI Number and How to Find Yours

If you've ever tried to register a song with ASCAP or BMI, you've probably seen a field asking for your IPI number. Most new songwriters skip it or guess. That's a mistake that can delay your royalties for months.

What an IPI number actually is

IPI stands for Interested Party Information. It's a globally unique identifier, typically 9 to 11 digits long, that's assigned to you when you join a PRO (Performance Rights Organization) like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.

Think of it like a Social Security number for your music career. It identifies you as a songwriter or publisher across every PRO database worldwide. When a song gets played in Germany and earns performance royalties, the collection society there uses your IPI number to figure out who gets paid.

Your IPI number is different from your PRO member number or account ID. Your member number is internal to your specific PRO. Your IPI number is international and works across all PROs globally.

Why it matters for split sheets

When you fill out a split sheet with co-writers, each contributor needs to list their IPI number. This is the identifier that gets used when the song is registered with each writer's respective PRO.

If you leave the IPI field blank on a split sheet, your co-writers can't properly register you on their end. Their PRO won't be able to match you in the system, which means your share of the royalties may go unclaimed or get held up in a matching queue.

If you enter the wrong IPI number, it's even worse. Someone else might receive your royalties, and untangling that can take months of back-and-forth with your PRO.

How to find your IPI number

If you're with ASCAP: Log into your ASCAP member portal (my.ascap.com). Your IPI number appears on your member profile, sometimes labeled as "CAE/IPI." You can also search the ASCAP repertory database (ascap.com/repertory) and look up your own name. Your IPI number will appear next to your writer or publisher entry.

If you're with BMI: Log into your BMI account at bmi.com. Your IPI number is listed on your profile or can be found by searching the BMI repertory catalog. Look for a 9-to-11-digit number near your writer name.

If you're with SESAC: Contact SESAC directly or check your member portal. Since SESAC is invitation-only and smaller, their support team can usually provide it quickly.

The public database shortcut: You can also search the CISAC database (iswcnet.cisac.org) which aggregates IPI data from PROs worldwide. Search your name and your IPI should appear if it's been registered.

IPI vs CAE — what's the difference?

You'll sometimes see "CAE number" used interchangeably with "IPI number." CAE stands for Compositeur, Auteur, Editeur (French for Composer, Author, Publisher). It's the older term for the same system. In 2001, the system was renamed from CAE to IPI, but many PROs and databases still reference both.

If someone asks for your CAE number, give them your IPI. They're the same thing.

What to do if you don't have one yet

You get an IPI number by joining a PRO. The process is simple. Sign up with ASCAP (free for both writers and publishers) or BMI (free for writers, one-time $175 for publisher registration). Once your membership is active, your IPI number is assigned automatically.

The signup process usually takes a few days to a few weeks depending on the PRO. ASCAP tends to be faster. Once you're approved, your IPI is permanent. It stays with you even if you switch PROs later.

Keep it handy

Once you have your IPI number, save it somewhere accessible. Put it in your phone notes, your email signature for music contacts, or wherever you keep your business info. Every time you co-write, you'll need to provide it. Every time someone registers a song you wrote, they'll need it.

The 30 seconds it takes to look up and share your IPI number saves everyone hours of registration headaches and ensures your royalties actually reach your account.