2022 NAICS national industry in sector 51 Information

512240 Sound Recording Studios

NAICS 512240 is the US industry code for sound recording studios. It covers establishments primarily engaged in providing the facilities and technical expertise for sound recording in a studio.

Code: 512240 (2022 NAICS)
Title: Sound Recording Studios
Part of: Sound Recording Industries
SBA small business limit: Average annual receipts up to $11 million
Closest UK SIC: 59200 (details)

Changes coming. The NAICS 2027 revision applies to data from 1 January 2027, and SBA proposed new size standards on 20 August 2026. The values on this page are the ones in force today; we update this page when the official files change.

Official definition

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing the facilities and technical expertise for sound recording in a studio. This industry includes establishments that provide audio production and postproduction services to produce master recordings. These establishments may provide audio services for film, television, and video productions.

Source: US Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS descriptions.

When to use a different code

Census classifies these close-sounding activities somewhere else. Businesses mainly engaged in:

Record production and/or releasing, promoting, and distributing sound recordings are classified in Industry 512250, Record Production and Distribution.
Providing mass duplication of recorded products are classified in Industry 334610, Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media.

Source: US Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS cross-references.

Businesses that use this code

Recording studio or music producer

Activities listed under 512240

The Census index assigns these 4 activities to this code. If your business matches one, this is your code.

Audio recording postproduction services
Audio recording restoration services
Recording studios, sound, operating on a contract or fee basis
Sound recording studios (except integrated record companies)

Source: US Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS index file.

SBA size standard for 512240

To count as a small business for SBA loans and federal contracts under NAICS 512240, your business (including affiliates) must not exceed $11 million in average annual receipts. Check your business.

Source: SBA table of size standards, effective March 17, 2023.

Closest UK SIC 2007 codes

There is no official one-to-one link between NAICS and UK SIC. These codes share the same international class (ISIC Rev. 4: 5920), so treat them as a starting point and check the definition.

59200Sound recording and music publishing activitiesUK SIC

Built from Census concordances 2022→2017 NAICS and 2017 NAICS→ISIC Rev. 4.

Similar codes to compare

Data last changed November 14, 2026. How this page is built.