Sync
Sync licensing
Sync licensing means licensing a song for use with visual media. Fees are negotiated, so they are a wide range: about $5 for a micro-sync to $250,000 or more for a national commercial. Estimate yours below, then see what you would keep.
Key takeaways
No fixed rate
Neither the US nor Canada sets a minimum for sync, so every fee is negotiated deal by deal.
Two licenses, two paychecks
Sync needs permission for the master and the composition. Performance royalties from your PRO come later, separately.
Get the music ready first
Own both sides, agree splits in writing and clear samples before anyone pitches it.
How a sync license works
A sync license is permission to put a song with pictures. Because a song is two copyrights, the recording (the master) and the composition (the publishing), a user normally needs permission for both. If you own both sides, you collect both. Velveteen: sync license fees · checked October 20, 2026
There is no compulsory license for sync in the US, and no statutory minimum fee in the US or Canada. The price is whatever the parties agree, shaped by the license term, the territory and the scope of use.
Upfront fee vs performance royalties
The upfront fee is paid by the production when the deal closes. Performance royalties are a second payment, collected by your PRO when the finished program airs or streams, and they can lag the broadcast by months. PROs do not issue sync licenses; sync rights come from the rights holder.
Estimated fee by project type
| Project type | Estimated range | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Social media or digital ad | $5 to $5,000 | Velveteen, DropCue |
| Indie or student film | $0 to $5,000 | Velveteen, DropCue |
| Documentary | $1,000 to $10,000 | Velveteen |
| TV episode, background use | $250 to $5,000 | Velveteen, DropCue |
| TV episode, featured use | $1,500 to $15,000 | Velveteen, DropCue |
| Streaming series | $1,000 to $50,000 | Velveteen, DropCue |
| Video game, indie | $500 to $5,000 | Velveteen |
| Video game, mid-tier or AAA | $2,000 to $50,000 | Velveteen, DropCue |
| Local or regional ad | $1,000 to $15,000 | Velveteen, DropCue |
| National TV commercial (US) | $10,000 to $250,000 | Velveteen, DropCue |
| Film trailer (major studio) | $5,000 to $200,000 | Velveteen, DropCue |
Some top ends are open-ended in the guides (for example “$250,000+”).
What you would keep
Enter the fee, how much of each side you own, and any commission a library or agent takes.
Sync-ready checklist
Tick what is true for your song. This is a readiness check, not a guarantee of placements.
Not sure of your splits? Use the split sheet generator. Need a code? See the ISRC checker.
Questions people ask
What is sync licensing?
Sync licensing is giving permission for a song to be used with visual media, such as TV, film, ads or games. It usually needs a license for the recording (master) and one for the composition (publishing).
How much does sync licensing pay?
There is no fixed rate. Industry guides put typical fees from about $5 for a micro-sync up to $250,000 or more for a national commercial. Use the estimator for a range by project type; these are estimates, not quotes.
Do PROs issue sync licenses?
No. The guides we cite say PROs such as ASCAP and BMI collect performance royalties after a placement airs, but sync rights come directly from the rights holder.
Is there a minimum sync fee?
No. Neither the US nor Canada sets a statutory minimum for sync, so every fee is negotiated.
How do I get a sync placement?
Two common routes: put your music with a library or sync agency that pitches it, or pitch music supervisors yourself. Either way you need the music ready to clear first; see the checklist on this page.
Will a library take part of my fee?
Yes. The libraries that publish their terms keep a share, for example 40% at CD Baby and 70% at Pond5 for music. See the library finder for each company’s own figures.