Split sheets for, songwriters
A split sheet is the single most important document in songwriting collaboration. It records who wrote what percentage of a song — and it determines how royalties are divided. Learn how to create one, what to include, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
What is a split sheet?
A split sheet is a written agreement between all songwriters who contributed to a composition. It documents each person's ownership percentage, contact information, PRO affiliation, and publisher details.
Split sheets should be completed immediately after a writing session — before the song is recorded, released, or generating any revenue. Waiting leads to disputes, and disputes lead to frozen royalties.
The split sheet is the source document that publishers, PROs, and collection societies use to determine how to divide royalties. Without one, your royalties may be held indefinitely.
What to include
Required fields are marked with *. Optional fields are marked +.
Song Title *
The official title of the composition as it will be registered
Date of Creation *
When the song was written — establishes timeline for copyright
Songwriter Names (Legal) *
Full legal names of all contributing songwriters
Ownership Percentages *
Each songwriter's share of the composition (must total 100%)
PRO Affiliations *
Which PRO each songwriter is registered with (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)
IPI/CAE Numbers *
Unique identifier assigned by PROs to each songwriter
Publisher Information +
Publishing entity name and IPI for each songwriter
ISRC Code +
International Standard Recording Code for the specific recording
ISWC Code +
International Standard Musical Work Code for the composition
Contact Information *
Email and phone for each songwriter
Signatures *
All parties must sign to make the agreement binding
Sample/Interpolation Notes +
Documentation of any third-party compositions used
Common songwriter split arrangements
There's no universal rule for how to split a song. Here are the most common arrangements and when they apply.
Two equal co-writers
The simplest and most common arrangement. Both writers contributed equally to melody, lyrics, and arrangement.
Songwriter + Producer
If the producer contributes to the composition (melody, lyrics, structure), they typically receive a writing credit. Beat-only contributions may or may not count as songwriting.
Three co-writers, equal
Equal splits among three writers. Note the rounding — percentages must total exactly 100%.
Lead writer + two contributors
When one writer contributes the majority of the song (core melody and lyrics) with others making smaller contributions.
Band (4 members)
Many bands split everything equally regardless of individual contribution to simplify and avoid internal conflict.
Topliner + Track producer
In pop/electronic music where a topliner writes melody/lyrics over a producer's track. The split depends on how much the track contributed to the final composition.
6 split sheet mistakes that cost songwriters money
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1
Waiting until after release
Disagreements about percentages after the song is generating money — leading to frozen royalties and legal disputes.
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2
Verbal agreements only
No legal documentation means no enforceable rights — 'he said/she said' disputes that can take years to resolve.
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3
Not including all contributors
Missing songwriters can claim ownership later, potentially blocking the song from distribution or sync licensing.
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4
Forgetting the producer
If a producer contributed to the composition (beyond just engineering), they may have a legal claim to songwriting credit.
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5
Assuming equal splits by default
Not all contributions are equal — discuss and agree on percentages based on actual creative input.
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6
Not accounting for samples
Interpolations and samples create additional ownership claims that must be documented and cleared.
Manage split sheets digitally
JukeHouse lets you create, share, and store split sheets directly in your dashboard — linked to song registrations for seamless royalty distribution.