HOW MUCH DOES SPOTIFY PAY PER STREAM?
Spotify doesn't pay a fixed amount per stream. Here's how payouts actually work and roughly what independent artists can expect.
WHY THERE'S NO FIXED RATE
Spotify pools its revenue and pays rights holders based on their share of total streams in each market. So your rate changes month to month and country to country.
WHAT AFFECTS YOUR PAYOUT
Where your listeners live, how many are Premium versus free users, your distributor's share, and Spotify's minimum stream rules for a track to earn royalties. Check Spotify for Artists for current rules.
ESTIMATE YOUR EARNINGS
Use our free streaming royalty calculator to estimate what your streams pay across services. Treat any result as a rough guide, not a promise.
STREAMS ARE ONLY ONE INCOME STREAM
Songwriters also earn performance royalties through a PRO when songs are played on radio or in public. Register your songs so radio play can pay you too.
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COMMON QUESTIONS
How much is 1 million Spotify streams?
At commonly reported rates of about $0.003 to $0.005 per stream, roughly $3,000 to $5,000 before your distributor's share. Actual payouts vary.
Does radio play pay royalties?
Songwriters can earn performance royalties for radio play through a PRO like BMI or ASCAP. Register your songs before you pitch.