The fastest way to add music during upload

YouTube's built-in audio library is the simplest route: you pick a song while uploading your video, and it's added before the video goes live. You don't need separate editing software, and the music is copyright-cleared for YouTube. The catch is that YouTube's library is smaller than what you'll find in dedicated music sites, and you're limited to what they have.

To use it, start uploading a video to YouTube as you normally would. Before you publish, look for the Audio tab on the left side of the upload screen. Click it, then search by mood, genre, or instrument. When you find a track you want, click Add next to it. The music will play over your entire video at the volume you set. You can trim the song to match your video length, or let it loop if your video is longer than the track.

This method works best if you're uploading a finished video and just need background music. If you want to layer music under existing audio (like voiceover or dialogue), you'll need to edit the video first in a separate tool.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube's audio library lets you add copyright-cleared music during upload without using outside software.
  • If you want to mix music with existing audio in your video, you need to edit the video file itself before uploading.
  • Third-party sites like Epidemic Sound and Artlist offer larger music libraries but require a subscription and separate editing software.
  • Always check a music site's license terms before using a song, because some require attribution even on YouTube.
  • If you're adding music to someone else's video or a copyrighted clip, the song choice matters — some tracks will trigger copyright claims.

Editing music into your video before upload

If your video already has audio you want to keep — like talking, interviews, or ambient sound — you'll need to edit the video file itself to layer music underneath. This means using a video editor on your computer or a free online tool. Most editors let you import your video, add a music track on a separate audio layer, and adjust the volume of each so they blend together.

Popular free options include DaVinci Resolve (Windows and Mac), CapCut (Windows and Mac), and Shotcut (all systems). Each has a timeline where you can place your video on one track and music on another, then adjust volumes so both are audible. Once you're happy with the mix, export the edited video as an MP4 file, then upload that file to YouTube.

This approach takes longer than using YouTube's audio library, but it gives you full control. You can fade music in and out, change the volume at different points in the video, and use any music file you own or have permission to use.

Where to find music you can legally use

YouTube's audio library is free and copyright-cleared, but it's limited. If you want more options, several sites offer music for video creators. Some are free with attribution, some are free without, and some require payment.

Free sites with no payment required: Pixabay Music, Incompetech, and Free Music Archive let you download tracks and use them in videos without paying or crediting the artist (though crediting them is appreciated). These libraries are smaller than paid services, but they're genuinely free and legal to use on YouTube.

Free sites that require attribution: Epidemic Sound's free tier and YouTube Audio Library both require you to credit the artist in your video description or on screen. Some creators add a text overlay at the end listing the song and artist.

Paid subscription services: Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and AudioJungle charge monthly or per-track fees but offer much larger libraries and higher-quality music. These are worth it if you make videos regularly and want professional-sounding audio.

Before downloading music from any site, read the license terms. Some free music is free only for personal use, not for videos you monetize. YouTube will tell you if a song has restrictions when you upload.

Handling copyright claims when you upload

If you use music that YouTube recognizes, you may get a copyright claim after you upload. This doesn't mean your video will be taken down — it means the copyright holder (usually the artist or their label) has claimed the rights to that audio. YouTube will either mute the music, show ads on your video, or let the claim stand depending on what the copyright holder chose.

If you used music from YouTube's audio library or a site that explicitly licenses music for YouTube, you won't get a claim. If you used music from a free site or your own collection, a claim is possible. When you see the claim notification, you can dispute it if you believe you have the right to use the music, but most creators just accept it.

To avoid claims entirely, stick to YouTube's audio library or music sites that explicitly say their tracks are cleared for YouTube use. The license terms will usually say "royalty-free for YouTube" or "no copyright claims on YouTube."

Adjusting music volume so it doesn't drown out other audio

If your video has dialogue, interviews, or ambient sound you want to keep, the music needs to be quieter than the main audio. In most video editors, you control this by lowering the volume of the music track relative to the video track.

A common starting point is to set music at 30 to 50 percent volume while keeping your main audio at 100 percent. This lets viewers hear both clearly. If you're using music only as background (no other audio), you can set it to 70 to 100 percent. The exact level depends on the song — some tracks are naturally louder than others.

Most editors let you create volume keyframes, which means you can make the music fade in at the start of your video, drop lower when someone speaks, and fade back up during pauses. This takes a few extra minutes but makes the final video sound much more polished.

Adding music to specific sections of your video

You don't have to use the same music for your entire video. If you're editing in a tool like DaVinci Resolve or CapCut, you can add multiple music tracks and layer them so different songs play at different times. This is useful for videos with distinct sections — for example, an upbeat track during the intro, calm music during a tutorial, and energetic music during the outro.

To do this, import your video and add a music track on the timeline. Trim that track to end where you want the next song to start. Then add a second music track below it, positioned to start when the first one ends. Adjust the volume of each track so they don't overlap, and make sure the transition feels natural. You can add fade-outs and fade-ins to smooth the transition between songs.

This technique works best when the songs have similar energy or when there's a clear reason for the change (like moving from one scene to another). Jarring switches between very different music styles can feel unprofessional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use music from Spotify or Apple Music in my YouTube video?

No. Spotify and Apple Music music is copyrighted, and using it in a video without permission will trigger a copyright claim. YouTube may mute the audio, block the video in some countries, or allow the copyright holder to monetize your video. Always use music from sites that explicitly allow YouTube use.

What happens if I use copyrighted music and get a claim?

YouTube will notify you of the claim. The copyright holder decides what happens next — they may allow the claim to stand (you keep the video, they get ad revenue), mute the audio, or block the video in certain regions. You can dispute the claim if you believe you have the right to use the music, but most creators accept it.

Do I have to credit the artist if I use music from YouTube's audio library?

No, YouTube's audio library music is copyright-cleared and doesn't require credit. However, crediting the artist in your description is a nice gesture and helps viewers find music they like.

Can I add music to a video after it's already published on YouTube?

Yes. Go to YouTube Studio, find the video, click Details, then scroll to the Audio section. You can add music from the audio library to an already-published video. However, you cannot edit the video file itself after upload — if you want to layer music under existing audio, you must edit the file, re-export it, and upload it as a new version or re-upload the video.

Is it better to add music in YouTube or in a video editor?

YouTube's audio library is faster if you just need background music and have no other audio to preserve. A video editor gives you more control if you're mixing music with dialogue, voiceover, or ambient sound. If your video is simple and YouTube has a song you like, use YouTube. If you need precise audio mixing, edit the file first.