Split Sheet Generator
A split sheet is the one page that says who wrote the song and who owns what. Add every writer and producer, split the publishing and the master to exactly 100%, then print a signature-ready document. Free, no sign-up, and nothing you type leaves your device.
Built for rap sessions, where the producer is a co-writer and the splits get real. Settle it before you leave the room.
1. Start from a common rap split
2. The song
Noting a sample here documents it. It does not clear it. You still license it with the owner directly.
3. The writers
Your split sheet (updates as you type)
What is a split sheet?
A split sheet is a single page that names everyone who wrote a song and the exact percentage each person owns. It lists the writers, what they did, their PRO and IPI numbers, and their splits, and then everyone signs it. That is the whole job: turn a memory of who did what into a signed record that survives the song getting big.
The reason it matters is that a song is not one thing you own, it is a stack of royalties paid out over years by your PRO, the MLC, and your distributor. Every one of them needs to know who to pay. The split sheet is the document they all point to. No split sheet, and the money either sits unclaimed or goes to whoever filed first.
It is not a contract for the recording, not a sample clearance, and not a copyright registration. It is the ownership map for the writing, made the day the writing happened. This page is a tool and a guide, not legal advice.
Why you need one before you release
Here is how it goes wrong without one. Three people make a song, everyone is happy, nobody writes anything down. The song does numbers. Now the producer has it as 50/50 in his head and the writer has it as 70/30, and there is real money on the table. When the splits two writers register do not match, the PRO freezes the royalty until it is resolved. The song earns, and nobody gets paid while it gets sorted.
A signed split sheet ends that fight before it starts. It is the cheapest insurance in music: two minutes on the day you wrote the song, against months of locked royalties and a lost friendship later. Make it while everyone is still in a good mood and the session is still fresh.
What to put on a split sheet
The generator above asks for all of this, but here is the full list so you know why each field is there:
| Field | Why it is there |
|---|---|
| Song title and date | Pins the splits to one specific song, written on one specific day. |
| Recording artist | Who the song is released under, which is not always who wrote it. |
| Each writer's legal name | Royalties pay a legal name, not a stage name. Both go on the sheet. |
| Role and contribution | Wrote the hook, produced the beat, added verse two. It explains the percentage. |
| PRO and IPI / CAE number | Ties each writer to ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC so the money routes to the right account. |
| Publisher | If a writer has a publishing company or admin, it collects their share. |
| Writer and master percentages | The actual splits. Each column has to total exactly 100%. |
| Signature and date | The part that makes it real. Unsigned, it is just notes. |
A writer without a PRO or IPI yet can leave those blank and add them after they join one. The names, the splits, and the signatures are the parts you cannot skip.
Master vs publishing splits: the two columns explained
Every song is two copyrights, and they are owned separately. This trips up more rappers than anything else, so here it is plainly:
The song itself: the lyrics, the melody, the beat. This is what a split sheet is really about. It pays out through your PRO and the MLC, and the writers own it.
The specific recording you uploaded. This pays the streaming and sync money through your distributor or label, and whoever owns the recording owns it.
They can be split differently on the same song. A producer might own 50% of the publishing for making the beat, but 0% of the master if you paid for the recording outright. That is why the generator gives you a separate column for each. Turn on "track the master split too" when the two are not the same, which in rap is most of the time.
Want the money side of this in detail? The streaming royalty calculator breaks down what each stream pays and shows the songwriter slice most calculators skip.
Who owns the beat? Producer splits for rappers and beatmakers
This is the split rap fights about most, so it gets its own section. In a rock band the producer often takes no writer share. In rap, the beat is the composition. The producer who made it is a co-writer of the song, full stop. The only question is how much, and the answer lives in the deal you made for the beat.
- - You bought an exclusive beat. The producer usually keeps a publishing share, often starting around 50%, because they co-wrote the composition. Put that share on the split sheet.
- - You used a lease. A standard beat lease splits publishing too, and the lease contract states the percentage. Read it, then copy that number onto the sheet.
- - It was work-for-hire. If the producer sold the beat outright and signed away the rights, they keep no publishing, and they do not go on the split sheet as a writer. That has to be in writing, or it is not work-for-hire.
Two producers who traded stems on the beat split the producer share between themselves first, then that combined producer share sits next to the writer's share on the sheet. The cleanest move is to settle the beat split the moment a placement looks real, on its own signed sheet, before the song gets finished.
And the master is a separate question. Owning a piece of the publishing on the beat does not give the producer a piece of your master recording, unless your deal says so. Keep the two columns straight.
How to calculate fair splits
There are two honest ways to split a song. Equal split: everyone in the room gets the same share, no matter who did what. It is fast, it keeps the peace, and a lot of crews use it on purpose. Contribution split: you weigh it by who actually did more of the writing. Most songs land somewhere between the two.
If you want a starting point before you negotiate, these are common ranges. They are conventions, not rules, and every song is its own deal:
| Role | Typical writer share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main songwriter / lyricist | 30 - 50% | Wrote the verses and the words you hear |
| Producer / beatmaker | 20 - 50% | In rap the beat is the composition, so this runs higher than in other genres |
| Topline / hook writer | 15 - 30% | Wrote the melody or the chorus the song lives on |
| Co-writer | 10 - 30% | Added a verse, a bridge, or a chunk of the writing |
| Featured artist | Their verse's share | Usually splits only the part they actually wrote |
| Mixing / mastering | 0%, or a flat fee | Mixing is not writing, so it rarely earns a writer share |
A worked example. A rapper writes both verses and the hook over a beat from one producer. A fair starting split is often the producer on 50% for the composition that is the beat, and the rapper on 50% for all the words and melody. Add a second writer who came in for the hook, and you might move to producer 50%, lead rapper 35%, hook writer 15%. Then you talk, and you adjust until everyone signs.
The "split evenly" buttons in the generator give you a clean equal split in one tap, which is a fine place to start the conversation even if you end up adjusting it.
How to use this generator
- 1. Pick a starting scenario, or just start typing. Enter the song title, the date, and who it is released under.
- 2. Add every writer and producer. Fill in the legal name and as much of the PRO and IPI info as you have. Blanks are fine for now.
- 3. Set the publishing percentages until the total reads 100% in green. Turn on the master split if it is different, and balance that too.
- 4. Hit print or save as PDF. The document below the form is exactly what prints, with a signature line for every writer.
Your draft saves automatically on your device, so you can close the tab and finish later. Nothing is uploaded, and there is no account.
What to do after you fill it out
The signed sheet is the start, not the finish. To actually collect, the same numbers have to flow into the places that pay:
- Get every signature. A split sheet with a missing signature is the one that fails when you need it. Sign before anyone leaves.
- Register the song with your PRO. Each writer enters the song with their share at ASCAP, BMI, or wherever they are affiliated, using the IPI numbers on the sheet. Not sure which to join? Read BMI vs ASCAP for rappers.
- Match the splits in your distributor. DistroKid, TuneCore, and the rest let you set publishing splits per collaborator. Enter the exact same percentages, or the records fight and the money freezes.
- Register the mechanical side. US writers register works with the MLC to collect streaming mechanical royalties, which a PRO does not cover.
- Consider a copyright registration. For a song you believe in, registering with the US Copyright Office adds a layer of protection the split sheet does not.
When you should not use a split sheet
A split sheet is the right tool for splitting a song you all wrote together. It is the wrong tool for a few things people try to use it for:
- - A work-for-hire beat. If a producer sold you the beat outright, that is a contract, not a split. They are not a co-writer.
- - Clearing a sample. A split sheet does not give you rights to someone else's song. License the sample separately.
- - Paying a session musician or the person who mixed the track. If their work is not songwriting, pay them a fee instead of giving away a writer share.
For the deals that are real agreements, a split sheet is a starting point, and a full producer agreement or contract is the finish. When the numbers get big, get those reviewed by a music lawyer.
Common split sheet mistakes that cost artists money
- - Doing it later. Later is when memories drift and money shows up. The day of the session is the only easy day to agree.
- - Splits that do not total 100%. Ninety-five percent or 105% gets a song rejected at registration. The generator flags this live so you never ship a broken one.
- - Stage names only. Royalties pay legal names. A sheet with only rap names is a sheet a PRO cannot use.
- - Confusing the master and the publishing. They are two different splits. Agreeing one and assuming the other is how disputes start.
- - Registering different numbers everywhere. The sheet, the PRO, and the distributor all have to say the same thing, or the royalty freezes.
Keep the songs and the credits in one place
A split sheet protects one song. The harder part is writing the songs and keeping track of who was in the room six months later when it is time to register. That is the app: your whole catalog saved, so the credits are not a memory test.
- Every song saved and synced. When a track takes off, you already know what you wrote and who you wrote it with.
- Rhyme Highlighting as you type. Every rhyme family lights up in color, so you build the scheme instead of guessing at it.
- Flow on the Beat Grid. Map every bar to a 4/4 grid and record takes line by line, so the song is ready before the booth.
RhymeFlux is a rap songwriting app, not a publisher or a distributor. It does not register splits or pay royalties. It is where the songs get written and kept, so the writer behind the splits stays organized.
Free to start. No card. Works in your browser and on iPhone.
BMI vs ASCAP: why the percentages look different
When you start registering, you will notice the same song reads as different numbers on different statements, and it throws people off. It is not an error. ASCAP counts on a 100% scale, where the writer's share and the publisher's share are tracked separately, each totaling 100. BMI has historically used a 200% scale, where the writer half and the publisher half add up to 200. Same ownership, two ways of writing it down.
On your split sheet, ignore the scales and use plain writer-share percentages that total 100. Let each PRO translate it on their end. If you have not picked a PRO yet, the full breakdown is in BMI vs ASCAP for rappers.
Key takeaways
- A split sheet records who wrote the song and the exact percentage each writer owns. Make it the day you write the song.
- Publishing and master are two separate splits. In rap they are often owned differently, so set both.
- The producer who made the beat is usually a co-writer. The deal you signed for the beat decides their share.
- Every column has to total exactly 100%, and the same numbers go on the sheet, the PRO, and the distributor.
- Get it signed before anyone leaves the room. Unsigned, it is just notes.
Split sheet FAQ
What is a split sheet?
A split sheet is a one-page document that lists everyone who wrote a song and the exact percentage of the songwriting each person owns. It records the writers, their roles, their PRO and IPI numbers, and the splits, then gets signed by everyone in the room. It is the paper trail that tells your PRO, your publisher, and your distributor who to pay when the song earns. Without it, the people who streamed the song decide who wrote it, and that goes badly.
Is a split sheet legally binding?
A split sheet signed by every writer is a written agreement, and a signed agreement carries real weight. It is the evidence everyone points to when a publishing or royalty dispute starts, and PROs and publishers rely on it to register the song. It is not a substitute for a full producer agreement or for registering your copyright, and this page is not legal advice. But a signed split sheet beats a verbal handshake every single time, and most rap royalty fights happen because nobody ever made one.
Do split sheets need to be notarized?
No. A split sheet does not need a notary or a lawyer to be valid. It needs the full legal name, the agreed percentage, and the signature of every writer, plus the date. A notary or a witness signature adds a layer of proof if you want it, and our generator leaves room for both, but the signatures of the writers are what actually matter. Get it signed before everyone leaves the session.
When should you fill out and sign a split sheet?
Before anyone leaves the studio. The day the song is written is the one day the contributions are clear to everyone and the room is still friendly. Wait until the song is buzzing and suddenly memories get creative and the splits get tense. Fill it out while the beat is still playing, get the signatures, and you never have to have the awkward conversation later.
What is the difference between the publishing split and the master split?
Every song is two separate copyrights. The composition, or publishing, is the song itself: the lyrics, the melody, the beat. The master is the specific recording of it. They earn through different pipes and they can be split differently. A split sheet is mainly about the publishing split, which is what your PRO and the MLC pay out on. The master split is who owns the recording, which matters for streaming royalties and sync deals. Our generator lets you set both, because in rap the same people often own different shares of each.
Do producers get publishing on a beat?
In rap, usually yes. The beat is the instrumental composition, so the producer who made it is a co-writer of the song, not just a vendor. A common starting point is a 50/50 publishing split between the producer and the writer, then you adjust from there based on who did more. The big exception is a beat lease or a work-for-hire deal, where the producer sold the beat outright and keeps no publishing. The contract you signed for the beat decides which one applies, so check it before you fill in the split.
What is a PRO, and what is an IPI or CAE number?
A PRO is a Performing Rights Organization, like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC in the US, that collects performance royalties when your song gets played. When you join one as a writer, you get an IPI number, sometimes called a CAE number, which is the unique ID that ties every royalty back to you. Putting each writer's PRO and IPI on the split sheet is what lets the song get registered cleanly, so the money actually lands in the right account. If you do not have one yet, the field can stay blank and you add it after you join.
Why do BMI and ASCAP percentages look different?
ASCAP works on a 100% scale, where the writer's share and the publisher's share are counted separately and each adds up to 100. BMI historically uses a 200% scale, where the writer share and publisher share are added together to 200. It is the same ownership described two ways, which is why a song can read as 50% on one statement and 100% on another. On a split sheet, keep it simple and use plain writer-share percentages that total 100, then let each PRO translate. We break the two scales down in our guide on choosing a PRO.
Can you change a split sheet after it is signed?
Yes, but only the same way you made it: everyone agrees and everyone signs again. You write a new split sheet with the corrected numbers, every writer signs and dates it, and the new one replaces the old. One writer cannot quietly change their share after the fact. If the song is already registered with a PRO or a distributor, you also update the splits there to match, or the two records fight and the royalties freeze.
Can you use a split sheet to clear a sample?
No. A split sheet records who wrote your song. It does not give you the right to use someone else's recording or composition. If you sampled or interpolated another track, you have to clear it directly with whoever owns that master and that publishing, which usually means a separate license and a payment. Our generator has a field to note a sample so it is documented, but noting it is not the same as clearing it. Clear the sample first, then split your own song.
What happens if you release a song without a split sheet?
The song can still go up, but nobody has agreed who owns it, so the royalties pile up unclaimed or get paid to whoever registered first. When the song earns real money, that is when the disagreement starts, and now there is cash on the table and no paper to settle it. Best case you lose months sorting it out. Worst case you lose the share you earned. A two-minute split sheet on the day you wrote it is the cheapest insurance in music.
Is this split sheet generator really free?
Yes. It is free, with no sign-up, no email, and no watermark. It runs entirely in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to a server, and your draft is saved on your own device so you can come back to it. It is built by RhymeFlux, a rap songwriting app, because the people writing the songs should be able to protect them without paying for a template. Fill it out, print or save the PDF, get it signed.
Split it before you leave the room
The split sheet is the easy part, and it is done. The songs are the work. Write them in a real workspace, keep your whole catalog, and stay ready to register. Start with the rap writing guide or try the other free tools.
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