Billboard is introducing a new tool called “Royalty Calculator,” which helps artists and creators accurately calculate how much their streams on Spotify and Apple Music are worth. Developed by Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, it allows each musician to see their true financial data based on their own agreement, bringing transparency to the music industry.
Billboard is ushering in a new era of transparency in the music industry with the introduction of the Royalty Calculator – a groundbreaking tool that allows artists, songwriters and producers to understand exactly what they are getting for every stream of their songs. The tool, designed by law and consulting firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, aims to make creators more informed and empowered against labels and streaming platforms.
The logic behind the project is simple but revolutionary: most artists have little idea of how streams translate into real income. With the new Royalty Calculator, each user can enter their personal details – from the percentages they receive to the type of deal they have – and see with absolute precision how much each stream is worth. This is not a general estimate, but a real financial mirror of their career.
As Jordan Bromley, head of Manatt Entertainment, explained, the goal is to give artists the power to know. “The tool doesn’t just show what the average musician gets, but what you personally get,” he says. Knowledge, he emphasizes, is the most powerful tool in negotiation.
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The Royalty Calculator is based on data that is updated monthly, directly from streaming services. This makes it one of the most accurate and up-to-date tools on the market. Manatt developed the model based on statistics from the entire US market, looking at how revenue is distributed between platforms, labels, publishers and creators. So the numbers are not just estimates, but reflect the reality of the industry.
According to data from the last five years, royalty income for artists and songwriters is on an upward trend. New partnership models, such as those of Virgin, The Orchard and ADA, have changed the balance. Instead of the classic percentages of 18%-22%, partnerships with 50%-70% profits on net revenues are now appearing, giving creators a greater share of the profits and control over their music.
Bromley explains that this change is not just numerical — it’s substantive. New platforms are enabling musicians to distribute their work without being completely dependent on major labels, leading to more independence and profit.
Billboard emphasizes that this effort is not just about the numbers. It is also a move to inform and empower creators, who are often in the dark about their true income. Bromley notes that, despite technology, an artist's greatest strength is information and transparency — two elements that can determine their long-term success.
Another interesting aspect of the tool is that it doesn't just focus on major labels, but also on independent artists, who are now a huge part of the market. As Bromley explains, even if someone doesn't have a major label behind them, they can evaluate what their streams are really worth and make better decisions about where to invest.
Billboard, known for its contribution to the global music industry, actively supports initiatives that promote transparency and artistic independence. Through the Royalty Calculator, it shows once again how it seeks to offer practical tools to music professionals to better understand the financial landscape of streaming. The tool is already available on Billboard, and is accompanied by instructions so that every musician can use it easily and for free.
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The new version of the tool comes as discussions around royalties and streaming revenue are in the spotlight. Major labels and creators are struggling to find the “golden mean” between accessibility and fair compensation. Through initiatives like these, Billboard seeks to make the music industry more transparent, fairer and more sustainable for everyone.
Royalty Calculator is not just a digital tool. It’s a new form of information, putting knowledge in the hands of creators, giving them the power to control the value of their work. For the first time, artists can calculate how much their streams are making, not in theory, but in reality — and it could change the way music is viewed as a profession.
