How to add music to a video

The process depends on what software you're using, but the basic steps are the same across most video editors: import your video, import your audio file, place the audio on a separate track below your video, and adjust the volume so both play together. Most free and paid editors — DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie, Windows Photos — handle this the same way. The main difference is where you find the buttons and how many options you get for fine-tuning the sound.

You'll need your video file and an audio file in a common format. Video files are usually MP4, MOV, or WebM. Audio files are usually MP3, WAV, or AAC. If your audio file is in an uncommon format, you may need to convert it first using a free tool like Audacity or FFmpeg, but most editors will tell you immediately if they can't read what you've chosen.

Key Takeaways

  • Import your video and audio into your editor, then drag the audio onto a separate track below the video track.
  • Adjust the volume of the music and the original video sound separately so both are audible at the right levels.
  • Trim or cut the audio to match the length of your video, or loop it if the music is shorter than the video.
  • Export your finished video in a format your intended platform accepts — MP4 for most social media, MOV for Apple devices.

Import your video and audio files

Open your video editor and create a new project. Most editors will ask you to choose a resolution and frame rate — if you're unsure, match the settings to your original video file. Then import your video by going to File > Import or by dragging the file directly into the editor's media library or timeline.

Next, import your audio file the same way. Some editors have a separate audio import button; others let you import audio through the same menu as video. Once both files are in the editor, you should see them listed in a media library or panel on the left or right side of the screen. Drag your video onto the main timeline first, then drag your audio file onto a track below it. The audio should snap into place on its own track, separate from the video.

Sync and trim the audio to your video length

Once the audio is on its own track, check whether it lines up with the start of your video. If your music should begin at a specific moment — not at the very start — click and drag the audio clip to move it to the right position on the timeline. You can see the exact frame number in most editors to make sure you're placing it precisely.

Next, check the length. If your audio is longer than your video, you'll need to trim it. Click on the end of the audio clip and drag it left to shorten it, or right-click the audio and look for a "Trim" or "Cut" option. If your audio is shorter than your video, you have two choices: leave the video silent at the end, or loop the audio so it plays twice. To loop, right-click the audio clip and select "Loop" or "Repeat," then drag the looped section to fill the remaining time.

Adjust volume levels for both audio and video

Your original video may have sound — dialogue, ambient noise, or both. You now have two audio sources playing at once, and they need to balance. Click on your video track and look for a volume slider or level meter. Lower the video's original audio so it doesn't overpower the music. A common starting point is to set the video sound to 30 to 50 percent and the music to 70 to 100 percent, but this depends on what you want the viewer to hear.

Click on your audio track and adjust its volume slider until it sounds right. Most editors show you a visual waveform — the taller the wave, the louder the sound. If the music's waveform is much taller than the video's, the music will likely be too loud. You can also use a keyframe to change volume at specific moments. For example, you might fade the music down during dialogue and back up during action scenes. Look for a keyframe button (usually a diamond icon) on the audio track to add these points.

Fade in and fade out the music

A sudden start or stop of music sounds jarring. Most editors let you add a fade by right-clicking the audio clip and selecting "Fade In" or "Fade Out," or by dragging small handles at the corners of the audio clip. A fade-in usually takes one to two seconds; a fade-out takes two to three. Adjust these by dragging the fade handles longer or shorter until it sounds natural.

If you're looping audio, add a fade-out at the end of the first loop and a fade-in at the start of the second loop so the transition is smooth rather than a sudden restart.

Export your video with the audio included

Once you're happy with the mix, export your video. Go to File > Export or File > Render. The editor will ask you to choose a format and quality. For social media (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram), use MP4 at 1080p or 4K resolution. For Apple devices, use MOV. For web use, MP4 is the safest choice because nearly all browsers and devices play it.

The export process can take several minutes to several hours depending on your video length and your computer's speed. The audio is automatically included in the exported file — you don't need to do anything extra. Once the export is complete, play the file on your device to make sure the audio and video are synced and the volume levels sound right.

Common issues and how to fix them

If the audio and video are out of sync after export, re-open the project and check that both clips start at the same frame on the timeline. Sometimes an editor will shift them slightly during export. If the audio is much louder or quieter than expected in the exported file, the issue is usually that your computer's audio output was too high or too low when you were editing. Re-import the video, lower or raise the audio track's volume, and export again.

If your audio file won't import, the editor may not support that format. Convert the file to MP3 or WAV using Audacity (free, works on Windows and Mac) or an online converter, then try importing again. If the audio plays but sounds distorted or crackles, the file itself may be corrupted. Try a different audio file to confirm, or re-download the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use copyrighted music in my video?

Using copyrighted music without permission is technically illegal, but enforcement depends on where you post it. YouTube and TikTok scan for copyrighted audio and either mute it, block the video, or let the copyright holder claim revenue from your video. If you want to avoid this, use royalty-free music from sites like Pixabay, Pexels, or Epidemic Sound, or create your own.

What if my audio file is in a format my editor won't read?

Download Audacity (free) and open your audio file in it. Go to File > Export and choose MP3 or WAV as the format. Save the converted file and import it into your video editor. This works for almost any audio format.

How do I make the music fade out when someone starts talking?

Add a keyframe to your audio track at the moment the dialogue begins. Click the keyframe button (diamond icon) on the audio track, then drag the volume slider down at that keyframe. The music will fade from full volume to the lower level you set. Add another keyframe when the dialogue ends and raise the volume back up.

Can I add multiple music tracks to the same video?

Yes. Import a second audio file and drag it onto a third track below the first music track. Adjust the volume of each track separately so they blend together. You can add as many audio tracks as your editor supports, though most free editors support at least three or four.

Why does my exported video have no sound at all?

Check that the audio track is not muted. Most editors have a speaker icon next to each track — if it has a line through it, the track is muted. Click it to unmute. Also check that you didn't accidentally delete the audio during editing. If the audio is still there but silent, the volume slider may be all the way down — drag it back up.