Guide · Releasing music
How many songs are on an album?
There is no single rule. A single is one song (sometimes with a couple of extras), an EP is usually about three to six songs, and a full album is usually around nine to twelve or more. Streaming services, charts and award bodies each set their own cut-offs, so check the one that matters to you.
Updated 20 Oct 2026
Single, EP, album: the usual sizes
| Release | Usual number of songs | Usual length |
|---|---|---|
| Single | One, sometimes with a remix or a b-side | A few minutes |
| EP (extended play) | About three to six | Roughly 10 to 30 minutes |
| Album (LP) | About nine to twelve, often more | Roughly 30 to 60 minutes |
These are habits, not laws. Distributors and charts draw their own lines between a single, an EP and an album, so if a label or chart matters to you, read its rules before you name the release.
Why albums used to be about ten songs
A vinyl LP holds roughly 20 to 25 minutes a side, and longer sides can lose sound quality, which is one reason many albums ended up at around 8 to 12 songs. Streaming has no such limit, and some artists now release albums of 20 songs or more, or smaller releases more often.
How many songs should your release have?
- Fewer finished songs beat more half-finished ones. Five songs you are proud of make a better EP than twelve you are not.
- First release? Singles or a short EP let you learn what people respond to before you commit to an album.
- Think about the money and the time. Every song you record, mix and master costs both.
- Look at what fits together. A good release has a feel: a sound, a theme or a story that runs through it.
How to choose which songs go on it
- List every finished demo. Not the ideas, the songs that are done.
- Listen to them back to back. Cut anything that sounds like a different record.
- Pick the strongest as the lead single. Then decide the order so the release has a shape.
- Leave something out. It is easier to add a song later than to explain a weak one.
Keep every finished demo in one place
Choosing the songs for a release is easier when every demo is in one place. In songdrafts you set up the stages of your board however you like. The Band board template starts with Finished demos and Released, so you can see what is ready and what is out. Every take of a song stacks on one card, with the lyrics, key and tempo on the song.
Common questions
How many songs is an EP?
Usually about three to six songs. Charts and distributors set their own limits.
How long is an average album?
Roughly 30 to 60 minutes, which is about nine to twelve songs for many releases.
Is a single always one song?
Usually one main song, sometimes with extra tracks such as a remix or a b-side.
Do I need an album to be taken seriously?
No. Many artists build a following with singles and EPs first.
Should I release songs one at a time or all together?
Both work. One at a time gives each song its own moment. A full release gives fans something to dig into. Pick the one that suits the songs and the time you have.
Want this done for you? songdrafts is a board for your voice memos: every take stacked on one card, songs that move across stages, merging half songs, and one share link with comments pinned to the second. Works offline, and nothing you upload trains AI. What is songdrafts?