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How do you read a Discogs release page?
A Discogs release page describes one specific edition of a record: one label, catalog number, country, year and set of manufacturing details. Read it top to bottom. The header tells you what the edition is, the identifiers section tells you whether your copy matches it, and the statistics show how many collectors own or want it and what it has recently sold for.
Master release vs release
Discogs separates the work from the object. A release is a single edition, like a 1973 UK first pressing. A master release is, in Discogs' words, "a folder that holds two or more Discogs releases": every pressing, reissue and format of the same album, shown under one title and cover chosen from a "key release".
Master pages are for browsing. You can't add a master to your collection; you have to pick the exact release. Each master has a versions list you can filter by format, country, year and label, and each release links back to its master.
The header: label, format, country, released
The top of the page holds the basics:
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Label and Cat# | Who issued it and the catalog number printed on it |
| Format | Size and type plus descriptors such as Album, Reissue, Stereo, Promo or Unofficial Release |
| Country | Where it was released, or a region like Europe |
| Released | Release date, sometimes only a year |
| Genre and Style | Broad genre and narrower styles |
The format descriptors carry a lot of weight. Discogs only applies "Promo" when the item is clearly marked or reliably documented as promotional, and "Unofficial Release" marks bootlegs, counterfeits and other releases made without the rights holder's consent.
Barcode and other identifiers
This section is how you match the record in your hand to the right page. It can include the barcode, label code, rights societies and, most usefully, the Matrix / Runout: the characters stamped or etched in the dead wax between the last groove and the label. One release can list several runout variants when different stampers or plants were used for the same edition.
If your barcode matches but your runout doesn't, you may hold a different pressing that shares the same cover. Our guide to matrix numbers explains how to read those markings.
Companies, credits and notes
Companies, etc. names the businesses involved: who pressed it, where the lacquer was cut, copyright holders, distributors. Credits lists people, from performers to mastering and cutting engineers. Notes is free text where contributors record what makes this edition distinct, such as sticker variations or label typos.
All of it is community-entered. Discogs requires contributors to have the exact release in front of them when adding it, and other users vote on entries, from "Correct" to "Needs Major Changes". Entries flagged as needing changes are marked in red on several pages, so treat them with extra care.
Statistics and marketplace data
| Statistic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Have | Users who list this release in their collection |
| Want | Users who list it in their wantlist |
| Avg Rating | Community rating out of 5 |
| Last Sold | Date of the most recent Discogs Marketplace sale |
| Low, Median, High | Prices from up to the 30 most recent marketplace sales |
Have and want are signals, not a census: they only count Discogs users who logged the record. Low, median and high mix every condition sold, so open the sales history by selecting "Last Sold". It shows the condition of each copy sold, which matters more than the headline median. Separately, "For sale on Discogs" shows how many copies are currently listed and the cheapest asking price.
Discogs release page FAQ
What is the difference between a master and a release on Discogs?
A master release groups every version of the same album. A release is one specific version. Collections, wantlists and sales history are tied to releases, not masters.
What does Have and Want mean on Discogs?
Have is the number of Discogs users who have the release in their collection, and Want is the number who have it in their wantlist. A high want count relative to have is often read as a sign of demand, but it only reflects Discogs users.
How is the Discogs median price calculated?
Discogs calculates low, median and high values from the release's 30 most recent marketplace sales, when that many exist. Because those sales mix conditions, check the detailed sales history before pricing a copy.
Why does my record's runout not match the Discogs page?
You may have a different pressing, a variant nobody has documented yet, or the wrong release page. Check the other versions under the same master. If none match, the Discogs database forum is the usual place to ask.
Can anyone edit a Discogs release page?
Any registered user can submit edits, and changes go live immediately. Users with voting rights then rate the data, and edits are expected to follow the database submission guidelines.
Last updated September 30, 2026.
Sources: Discogs Database Guidelines 16: Master Release; Discogs Database Glossary; Discogs Database Guidelines 6: Format; Contributing to Discogs; Where Can I Access Sales History?; Discogs on sales history; How To Add To Your Collection On Android.
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