Tidal
Market: Worldwide
Overview
Tidal is a global music streaming service known for its high-resolution audio quality, exclusive releases, and strong focus on artist support. It delivers lossless FLAC and Hi-Res FLAC audio (up to 24-bit/192kHz) to all subscribers, along with Dolby Atmos support. Tidal also provides editorial curation, playlisting, and unique artist features.
Market / Platform Focus
Operating in over 60 countries, Tidal caters to listeners who value superior sound quality and curated music experiences. Its user base includes audiophiles, dedicated fans, and listeners seeking exclusive artist content and early access releases.
Yes — LabelGrid delivers your releases to TIDAL. Distribution is included on every plan, for record labels, distributors, and independent artists alike.
TIDAL AT A GLANCE
- Typical go-live: 1–5 business days from submission for western majors like TIDAL.
- Audio accepted: WAV or FLAC — 16-bit/44.1 kHz for HiFi (Lossless), up to 24-bit/192 kHz for Max (HiRes).
- HiRes FLAC & Dolby Atmos: HiRes served as open-source FLAC (no MQA needed since July 2024); native Dolby Atmos supported with a stereo fallback.
- Territory: worldwide.
- Artist profile: claim and verify via TIDAL Artist Home; via-distributor verification is the fastest route.
- Royalties: tracked in LabelGrid’s royalty accounting with automated splits on every plan.
LABELGRID
LabelGrid Integration
LabelGrid delivers your music to Tidal in high-quality formats that preserve audio fidelity. We ensure your releases meet Tidal’s technical and metadata standards, making them eligible for playlisting, editorial features, and hi-res streaming tiers.
Getting Started
To release music on Tidal via LabelGrid, prepare your audio, artwork, and metadata according to our specifications, select Tidal as a distribution partner when scheduling your release, and we’ll handle ingestion, quality checks, and rights delivery.
LabelGrid provides the tools you need beyond distribution: catalog management for your metadata and releases, royalty accounting with automated artist statements, and promotion tools including smart links and pre-saves.
TIDAL delivery specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Audio formats accepted | WAV or FLAC — 16-bit/44.1 kHz for HiFi (Lossless), 24-bit/96 kHz or 24-bit/192 kHz for Max (HiRes); deliver the highest-quality source, never upsample |
| Lossless / HiRes support | Yes — HiFi Lossless FLAC (16-bit/44.1 kHz) and Max HiRes FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz; open-source FLAC, no MQA encoding needed since July 2024 |
| Spatial audio / Dolby Atmos | Yes — ADM BWF master (Dolby Atmos Renderer), 24-bit/48 kHz, -18 LUFS / -1 dBTP, native mix only, stereo fallback required (no upmixes) |
| Artwork requirements | 3000×3000 px recommended (1600×1600 minimum), 1:1 square, JPG/JPEG/PNG, sRGB, max 10 MB; no promo text, URLs, or misleading imagery |
| Metadata required | ISRC per track (12-character), UPC (12–13 digits), (P) and (C) copyright lines, accurate explicit flag, comprehensive Credits (songwriter, production, musician, misc) |
| Territory / availability | Worldwide |
| Monetization model | Subscription streaming (high-fidelity tiers); royalties tracked in LabelGrid accounting with automated splits |
| Artist-profile linking | TIDAL Artist Home — claim, verify, and manage your profile (via-distributor verification is fastest) |
| Pre-save / scheduling | Pre-save supported; standard releases go live at midnight local time per country |
| Typical go-live after submission | 1–5 business days for western majors like TIDAL; HiRes classification may take an extra 24–48 h after ingestion |
| Delivery method | DDEX feed delivery by LabelGrid |
Specifications verified against TIDAL’s official documentation, July 2026 — requirements change, confirm current specs.
How long until my release is live on TIDAL?
Most releases are live on TIDAL within 1–5 business days of submission for western majors like TIDAL. LabelGrid processes and reviews your release, then delivers the DDEX feed to TIDAL, which ingests and publishes it. HiRes classification can take an extra 24–48 hours after ingestion. Planning a specific release date? Submit at least 2 weeks ahead — standard releases go live at midnight local time per country.
Related: music distribution · royalty accounting · automated royalty splits · pricing · compare distributors · LabelGrid for labels · TIDAL help article
WHY TIDAL
Artist Benefits
Distributing to Tidal offers access to a quality-conscious audience and higher per-stream payouts compared to many DSPs. The platform’s editorial team and exclusive content initiatives can help elevate an artist’s profile. Estimate your Tidal earnings with our free royalty calculator.
Key Features
-
High-resolution and lossless audio streaming
-
Exclusive artist content and early release options
-
Higher artist payout rates than many platforms
-
Curated playlists and editorial features
-
Available in over 60 countries
DEEP DIVE
What You Should Know About Tidal
Platform Scale & Reach
Tidal is a premium music streaming service available in 60+ countries, known for its artist-first philosophy and audiophile-grade sound quality. While its user base is smaller than Spotify or Apple Music, Tidal's subscribers are among the most engaged and highest-paying in the industry.
Highest Per-Stream Rates
Tidal pays approximately $0.008 to $0.013 per stream — the highest among major streaming platforms. This premium rate reflects Tidal's subscription-only model (no free tier) and its commitment to fair artist compensation. At these rates, artists need roughly half the streams they'd need on Spotify to earn the same revenue. Estimate your Tidal earnings with our free royalty calculator.
Premium Per-Stream Rates
Tidal's subscription-only model (no free tier) means every stream comes from a paying listener. Combined with the platform's premium per-stream rate of $0.008–$0.013, Tidal delivers some of the highest per-play revenue in the industry. Artists with engaged, quality-focused fanbases benefit the most from Tidal's audience demographics.
Audio Quality Leadership
All Tidal subscribers receive lossless FLAC (CD quality, 16-bit/44.1kHz) and Hi-Res FLAC (up to 24-bit/192kHz) streaming at no extra cost. Tidal also supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio. The platform attracts audiophile listeners who value sound quality and are willing to pay premium subscription prices. Delivering high-resolution masters ensures your music sounds its best.
Tips for Success on Tidal
- Deliver 24-bit masters to maximize quality on Tidal's Hi-Res FLAC tier
- Tidal's audience values artistic integrity and quality — present your releases thoughtfully
- Take advantage of Tidal's higher per-stream rates by promoting your Tidal links alongside other platforms
- Consider Tidal's exclusive content features for premium releases
- Tidal's premium subscription model rewards loyal fanbases — encourage your fans to follow you on Tidal
- For detailed delivery guidelines, see our Tidal distribution guide
RESOURCES
Tidal Resources
Official tools, portals, and documentation for Tidal.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Try LabelGrid?
Start distributing to Tidal and all major platforms. 7-day free trial. Published pricing. No credit card required.