Join ASCAP for Free Today!

If you're a songwriter, composer or music publisher, you belong at ASCAP.

We're ASCAP – the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. We are the only performing rights organization (PRO) in America operating on a not-for-profit basis, and the only one that puts creators first.

We pay you royalties when your music is played publicly by the businesses we license. And that’s just one way we can help you sustain a music career. When you become an ASCAP member, you get members-only benefits, networking opportunities, educational workshops and more.

ASCAP is FREE to join for writers, or if you're joining as a writer and publisher at the same time.

Here’s why joining the ASCAP family is a great decision:

We get you paid when your music is played

ASCAP’s main job is to get you paid public performance royalties when your music is played in businesses around the US. And we’re really good at what we do! In 2025, ASCAP reported record-high financial results of $1.945 billion in revenues and $1.759 billion available in royalty distribution monies to its members.

Read about how we pay
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We put music creators first

As America's only PRO operating on a not-for-profit basis, we pay our music-making members all of the music licensing revenue we take in, minus our operating expenses (among the lowest in the industry). Our governing documents require us to pay music creators first – a claim that only ASCAP can make.

Pictured: ASCAP member Dua Lipa

We’re led by music creators like you

ASCAP is the only PRO in the US founded and governed by songwriters, composers and music publishers. Every decision about how we operate is made by music creators like you – not broadcasters, corporations and investors, like our competitors.

Pictured: ASCAP President & Chairman of the Board Paul Williams, the Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning, Hall of Fame songwriter of "The Rainbow Connection," "Evergreen," "We've Only Just Begun"

Meet the ASCAP Board

We represent the world’s top music creators

ASCAP is home to more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers and music publishers. That includes the most respected music creators in every genre, from Beyoncé to Kelsea Ballerini, Marc Anthony to Hans Zimmer, Cardi B to Philip Glass.

Pictured: ASCAP member Cardi B

We help creators navigate evolving technology

Artificial intelligence is raising both exciting new possibilities and real concerns for music creators. ASCAP has protected the value and the dignity of our members’ music for more than a century of technological disruption, and we’ll continue to do so as AI evolves.

Pictured: ASCAP CEO Beth Matthews at the ASCAP AI Symposium

Read about ASCAP & AI

We educate

ASCAP is dedicated to supporting your music creator journey. Want to sharpen your skills or understand the music biz better? Visit the ASCAP Learning Center, join an ASCAP workshop, or take part in our members-only ASCAP Experience conference.

ASCAP Experience on demand

We advocate

ASCAP is on the frontlines of the fight to protect the rights of music creators everywhere. That's what we mean by "creator first, future forward." We will always put the rights of music creators first, just like we have since 1914.

Pictured: ASCAP songwriters Muni Long and Mozella outside the US Capitol Building during our annual ASCAP Walk the Halls event

We innovate

ASCAP offers the most advanced data processing systems of any PRO, to ensure that you get paid fairly and accurately. Our ASCAP Lab explores how new technologies and new business approaches can drive value for our members and the businesses that use their music.

Explore the future of music

Joining ASCAP is free

ASCAP is totally free to join for writers, and for anyone joining as a writer and publisher at the same time. We can't wait to welcome you to the family!

Join now for free

We support the whole you

Our ASCAP Wellness Program is designed to help music creators nourish their body, mind and spirit so they can be their creative best.

Be well

We listen

Our dedicated Global Member Services team is available to answer questions about your ASCAP account from 9am-6pm ET, Monday – Friday.

Hit us up

Joining ASCAP FAQs

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Top 5 Reasons to Join ASCAP as a Writer and a Publisher

Read 'em all

There are so few people who are fighting for us. ASCAP supports composers and they always support me.

— Hans Zimmer

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