Looking for a free split sheet template? You're in the right place. Below you'll find everything you need to document your song splits properly - whether you prefer paper or digital.

What is a Split Sheet?

A split sheet is a written agreement that records:

Who contributed to a song
What their role was (songwriter, producer, topliner, etc.)
How much of the song each person owns (the percentage)

It's the single most important document in the music business, and yet most independent artists skip it entirely. Don't be that person.

What Should a Split Sheet Include?

A proper split sheet template must contain these fields:

Required Fields

Song Title - The working or final title of the composition
Date of Creation - When the song was written/recorded
Contributor Names - Legal names of all writers/producers
Contributor Roles - What each person did (Lyrics, Music, Production, etc.)
Ownership Percentages - Must total 100%
Signatures - Each contributor must sign

Recommended Fields

PRO Affiliation - ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, PRS, etc.
IPI/CAE Number - Your unique songwriter identifier from your PRO
Publisher Name - If the writer has a publishing entity
ISRC - International Standard Recording Code (for the master recording)
ISWC - International Standard Musical Work Code (for the composition)

Download: Free Split Sheet Template (PDF)

[!WARNING] Important Legal Note: The free template provided above is a basic structural framework for record-keeping. By contrast, the split sheets generated within the SplitChord app are comprehensive, legally binding agreements complete with industry-standard clauses, warranties, and representations designed to fully protect your copyrights under US and International law.

You can also use a generic paper split sheet like this:

Field	Writer 1	Writer 2	Writer 3
Legal Name	_______________	_______________	_______________
Role	_______________	_______________	_______________
Ownership %	_______________	_______________	_______________
PRO	_______________	_______________	_______________
IPI Number	_______________	_______________	_______________
Publisher	_______________	_______________	_______________
Signature	_______________	_______________	_______________
Date	_______________	_______________	_______________

Song Title: _______________________________________________

Date of Creation: _______________________________________________

The Problem with Paper Split Sheets

Paper templates work... in theory. In practice:

📄 They get lost. In backpacks, in studio trash cans, in email threads nobody checks.
✍️ They need everyone in the room. What if your co-writer is in another city? Another country?
📊 They're hard to organize. After 10 songs, you have 10 pieces of paper. After 100? Good luck.
⚖️ They're hard to enforce. A scanned PDF of a coffee-stained paper doesn't hold up well in disputes.

The Better Way: Digital Split Sheets with SplitChord

SplitChord replaces the paper template entirely:

✅ Create in seconds - Input song title, contributors, roles, and percentages right from your phone.

✅ Remote e-signatures - Collaborators don't need the app. Send a secure link and they sign from any device, anywhere in the world.

✅ Professional PDF export - Generate a clean, timestamped PDF that's far more credible than a handwritten sheet.

✅ "Studio to Office" workflow - Draft splits quickly while the vibe is high. Add ISRC, publisher details, and other metadata later.

✅ iCloud sync - Your split sheets are encrypted, backed up, and always accessible.

Common Split Sheet Scenarios

Scenario 1: Two Writers, Equal Split

Writer A (Lyrics + Melody): 50%
Writer B (Production + Music): 50%

Scenario 2: Three Writers, Nashville Rule

Writer A: 33.33%
Writer B: 33.33%
Writer C: 33.34%

Scenario 3: Producer + Topliner

Producer (Beat/Track): 50%
Topliner (Melody + Lyrics): 50%
Note: This is the composition split. The master recording may have different ownership.

Scenario 4: Four Writers, Unequal Contribution

Writer A (Majority of lyrics): 40%
Writer B (Melody): 30%
Writer C (Beat): 20%
Writer D (Ad-libs/hook): 10%

When Should You Fill Out a Split Sheet?

Before you leave the studio session. Period.

The longer you wait, the more likely disagreements arise. In the heat of creation, everyone remembers who did what. A week later? Memories get fuzzy. Six months later when the song blows up? Suddenly everyone contributed more than they actually did.

Master vs. Publishing: Two Separate Splits

Remember: every song has two copyrights:

The Composition (Publishing) - The melody and lyrics. This is what a split sheet covers.
The Master (Recording) - The actual .wav file. Ownership is usually determined by who paid for the session.

A split sheet primarily addresses the composition copyright. If you also need to split the master, that's a separate agreement (though SplitChord handles both).

Stop Using Paper. Start Using SplitChord.

A split sheet template is a good starting point, but SplitChord is the destination. Create professional, digitally signed split sheets in seconds - no printer required.

👉 Download SplitChord on the App Store

Note: SplitChord provides split sheet generation for record keeping. For legal advice, please consult a music attorney.