Free tool · Split sheet template

Split sheet template

List every writer and their share. The tool checks the shares add up to 100 percent. Then print it and have each writer sign. This is a simple record, not legal advice.

How to fill it in

1. Use each writer's full legal name, as it appears on your performing rights registration if you have one.
2. Agree the split out loud first. The sheet records it, it does not settle an argument.
3. Check the total is 100 percent.
4. Everyone signs and dates it, and everyone keeps a copy.

Why bother

Disputes over who owns a song can come up later, often once the song earns money and memories differ. A page signed on the day costs nothing and can help prevent them. Collecting societies and publishers also ask who the writers are and what share each has when you register a song.

Common questions

What is a split sheet?

A written record of who wrote a song and what share of it each writer owns. Writers usually all sign it.

When should I fill one in?

As soon as the song is written, while everyone remembers who did what. Agreeing later is harder, especially once the song earns money.

Do the splits have to be equal?

No. Writers can agree any split, as long as the shares add up to 100 percent. Many co-writers split equally; some split by who wrote the words and who wrote the music.

Is a split sheet legally binding?

It depends on where you live and how it is signed. It can help show what everyone agreed, but whether it is enforceable depends on where you live and how it is signed. This is not legal advice. For anything important, ask a music lawyer.

Is anything saved?

No. It works in your browser only and nothing is sent or stored. Copy or print it, and have each writer sign.

Keeping a song? songdrafts keeps the key, tempo and lyrics on every song, next to every take of it.