How Do Co-Writer Splits Work?

When two or more people write a song together, the publishing ownership of that song is divided among the contributors according to agreed-upon percentages called splits. These splits determine how publishing royalties — performance royalties, mechanical royalties, and sync fees — are divided and paid out.

There is no legal formula for how splits must be divided. Common approaches include equal splits (each co-writer gets an equal share), contribution-based splits (percentage reflects how much of the melody, lyrics, or composition each person wrote), and negotiated splits (agreed upon independent of contribution). The key is that all parties agree and sign off before the song is released.

Splits are documented in a split sheet — a written agreement that lists each contributor, their PRO affiliation, their publisher (if any), and their agreed-upon ownership percentage. All splits must add up to exactly 100%. Each party should sign and retain a copy before the song is distributed.

Once splits are documented, each songwriter registers their share with their own PRO under their own account. If you own 50% of a song, you register a 50% share. Your co-writer registers their share — whatever percentage was agreed upon — with their PRO. The PROs coordinate payment to each party independently.

Producers who contribute only beats or instrumentals may or may not have a publishing split, depending on your agreement. If there is no written agreement, disputes can arise after a song generates income. Clarify all split arrangements in writing before you record, and certainly before you release.