To add music to a YouTube video, you can use YouTube's built-in editor for videos you've already uploaded, or add your audio track in video editing software before you upload. Both paths work, but which one you need depends on where your music comes from.
YouTube Studio's post-upload editor only pulls tracks from YouTube's own Audio Library. You cannot import a music file from your device, a track you licensed from a third-party platform, or anything from outside YouTube's library. If the music you want isn't in the Audio Library, you need to add it in editing software before the upload, not after.
This guide covers how to add background music to a YouTube video inside YouTube Studio, how to add music before uploading using tools like CapCut and Adobe Premiere Pro, how to avoid copyright issues, how to add music to YouTube Shorts, how to balance your audio levels and voiceover, and where to find royalty free music for YouTube when the Audio Library falls short.
When the Audio Library falls short, don't settle.
Find cleared tracks the free library doesn't have.
How to add music in YouTube Studio (step by step)
Per YouTube's official audio editor guide, this is the fastest way to add music to YouTube video content you've already uploaded. The Studio editor runs in a desktop browser and requires no additional software. Every track in this method comes from the YouTube Audio Library, which is free and copyright-cleared for monetized videos. It's also the simplest way to add background music to YouTube video content after the fact, without re-exporting the file.
What you need before you start
This method works on desktop browsers only. The mobile YouTube app does not include the Studio video editor. Your video must be under six hours long. All tracks available through this method come from the YouTube Audio Library, so confirm your preferred track is there before you start. Some tracks carry an attribution requirement, meaning you paste a credit line into your video description. YouTube shows the exact text on each track's detail page.
Step-by-step: adding audio in YouTube Studio
Step 2: Click "Content" in the left menu to see your uploaded videos.
Step 3: Select the video you want to edit, then click "Editor" in the left menu.
Step 4: In the Editor, click "Audio" to open the YouTube Audio Library panel.
Step 5: Use the genre, mood, instrument, or duration filters; click the play icon to preview tracks.
Step 6: Click "Add" next to your chosen track. It appears on the audio timeline beneath the video.
Step 7: Drag the track left or right to set its start point; use the edge handles to trim its length; adjust the volume/mix slider to balance the music against the video's existing audio; then click "Save."
How to add music before uploading to YouTube
When your music comes from outside YouTube's Audio Library, this approach gives you the most creative control. You can use any licensed track, layer multiple audio sources, and apply precise fades before the file ever reaches YouTube. Once you export a finished MP4, it uploads to YouTube the same way any other video file does.
Creators in the r/NewTubers community most commonly recommend CapCut for this workflow. Canva's online video editor is a browser-based option that requires no download at all. Riverside's audio and video editing guide covers the pre-upload workflow for creators who already record in Riverside. If you're still setting up your full channel workflow, starting a YouTube channel walks through the production setup from account creation to first upload.
Why add music before uploading
Three reasons to use this approach:
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You can add music to YouTube video projects using any licensed track, not just Audio Library picks;
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You get full control over fades, volume curves, and layering;
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You preview the exact final mix before publishing. The exported file uploads to YouTube with no special settings required.
Step 2: Import your video file into the editing app.
Step 3: Download or import your licensed audio track to your device.
Step 4: Drag the audio file onto a new audio track in the editor's timeline.
Step 5: Adjust the track's start point, volume, and fade-in/fade-out handles to blend naturally with the video.
Step 6: Export the finished video as an MP4 file.
Step 7: Upload the exported file to YouTube.
Using CapCut (free, mobile and desktop)
CapCut's free video editing app works on iPhone, Android, and desktop browsers. Import your video, tap "Add Audio" or "Sound," select your downloaded licensed track, adjust the volume, trim the clip, and export as MP4. It's the fastest option for mobile creators and YouTube Shorts editors.
Using Adobe Premiere Pro
Premiere Pro is a subscription desktop app. Import your video and audio track into a new project, drag the audio file onto an audio track in the timeline, adjust levels in the Audio Track Mixer panel, add fade handles at the clip edges, and export as H.264 MP4.
Using DaVinci Resolve (free desktop option)
DaVinci Resolve is free on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Import your files, drag the audio file onto a new audio track in the timeline, adjust levels in the Fairlight audio mixer, and export. Resolve supports unlimited audio tracks, making it a strong no-subscription option for creators who want professional-level audio mixing.
Can I add music to a YouTube video after uploading?
Yes, you can add music to a YouTube video after uploading, but only tracks from YouTube's own Audio Library, not from external files or third-party licensed libraries.
What YouTube Studio's editor can and cannot do
YouTube Studio's editor CAN:
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Add an Audio Library track to an existing video
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Adjust the track's start point and duration
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Trim the audio clip
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Blend background music with the video's existing audio using the mix slider
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Process the change in a few minutes without re-uploading
YouTube Studio's editor CANNOT:
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Import a music file from your device
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Use a track licensed from Soundstripe, Bandcamp, or any third-party source
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Add multiple independent audio tracks
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Make frame-level video edits in the same session
Once your video is uploaded, you can't import background music from anywhere other than the YouTube Audio Library.
When the post-upload editor is (and isn't) the right choice
Use the post-upload editor when: you need to add background music to YouTube video content after the upload, a YouTube Audio Library track fits well, or you want a quick fix without re-exporting.
Skip the post-upload editor when: the track you want is licensed from outside YouTube's library, you need multi-layer audio, or you need precise dB control and volume automation. In those cases, add your music in editing software, re-export, and re-upload.
How to add music to a YouTube video without copyright
Getting youtube music without copyright issues means choosing a source that already clears the rights for your specific use case. There are four main options, each with different cost and flexibility trade-offs.
Option 1: YouTube Audio Library
The YouTube Audio Library is free and available inside YouTube Studio. When you add background music to YouTube video projects through this library, no additional license is required. Every track is copyright-safe for monetized videos. Filter by genre, mood, instrument, duration, and attribution requirement. The main trade-off is range: the library covers common moods well but has less depth for brand-specific or genre-specific sounds.
Option 2: Licensed music platforms
Licensed platforms give you royalty free music for YouTube and other social platforms under a subscription. The license travels with the track, so you get no Content ID conflicts and no attribution text required in your description. The genre and mood range is far wider than the Audio Library, and most platforms include stems and cut-down versions for intros and outros. You can also explore YouTube Analytics for music to track which tracks correlate with stronger viewer retention over time. Soundstripe's catalog of 116,000 artist-made tracks, mixed in Nashville, is a strong example of what this kind of licensed catalog provides compared to free options.
Option 3: Creative Commons music
Creative Commons tracks are free to download, but the license type determines what you can do. CC BY requires a credit line in the video description. CC BY-NC prohibits commercial use, including monetized YouTube videos. Per the U.S. Copyright Office on music licensing and fair use, the specific license terms control your rights. Free Music Archive is a common source for creative commons music. Always verify the exact license before using a track in a video you plan to monetize.
Option 4: Public domain music
Public domain music is music whose copyright has expired. In the U.S., compositions published before 1931 generally qualify (sound recordings follow a separate, later timeline). This covers classical and historical instrumentation well. For contemporary sounds, modern production styles, or most genres creators actually use, public domain music won't cover what you need.
The table below covers all four paths to youtube music without copyright issues on your channel.
| Music source | Cost | Safe for monetized videos? | Genre range | Attribution required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Audio Library | Free | Yes | Moderate | Sometimes |
| Licensed platform (e.g., Soundstripe) | Subscription | Yes | Extensive | No |
| Creative Commons | Free | Depends on license type | Moderate | Usually yes |
| Public domain | Free | Yes | Classical/historical | No |
Based on YouTube, Creative Commons, and U.S. Copyright Office guidance, 2026. Verify current license terms before using any track in a monetized video.
Can I put any song in my YouTube video?
No. Using a copyrighted song without a license or explicit permission from the rights holder can result in Content ID claims, video muting, demonetization, or channel strikes.
How YouTube Content ID works
YouTube scans every upload against a database of registered works. Rights holders who register music with Content ID can choose to block the video globally or in specific countries, mute the audio, or claim all ad revenue the video earns. Owning a song on Spotify or Apple Music does not give you the right to sync it with video. That requires a separate sync license from the rights holder.
Copyright claim vs. copyright strike
A copyright claim (a Content ID match) is a rights holder collecting revenue from your video. Your video stays up, but demonetization removes your ad revenue on that content. A copyright strike is a formal DMCA takedown request. The video is removed and your account receives a strike. Three copyright strikes result in permanent channel termination per YouTube's policies. For a full breakdown of how these rules work in practice, YouTube's music copyright rules covers the Content ID system and dispute process in depth.
What fair use actually covers
Commentary, criticism, parody, and education may qualify as fair use under U.S. copyright law. But fair use is determined by courts, not by YouTube, and it does not prevent a rights holder from filing a Content ID claim. You may need to dispute the claim manually. Disputing incorrectly can escalate to a copyright strike. Reference U.S. copyright law's four-factor test when evaluating a potential fair use case.
How to add music to YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts music has its own set of options depending on where you are in the creation process.
Method 1: Add music in the YouTube app
During upload on the YouTube mobile app, tap the music icon at the top of the editing screen to browse and add a track from YouTube's Shorts audio library. This is available during recording (for camera Shorts) and during upload (for pre-recorded clips). This feature is available in the mobile app only, not on desktop.
Method 2: Add music before uploading a Short
Edit your Short in CapCut (or any mobile or desktop editor) before uploading. Add your licensed audio track, set the volume, and export as a vertical video in 9:16 aspect ratio. Upload the file directly to Shorts. This approach lets you use any pre-cleared track as your youtube shorts music, including tracks from a licensed catalog like Soundstripe.
Method 3: Use YouTube Studio on desktop
After uploading a Short, open YouTube Studio on desktop, click Content, select the Short, click Editor, click Audio, and add a track from the YouTube Audio Library. Same click path as for long-form videos. Audio Library tracks only.
How to balance background music with your voiceover
Keeping your background music from overpowering your voiceover comes down to setting the right levels before you export. When you add background music to YouTube video content, the numbers below tell you exactly where to place each element. Per Adobe's guide to audio mixing in Premiere Pro and standard audio engineering practice, the targets are specific and measurable.
Setting the right audio levels
Set your voiceover to a peak of -12 to -6 dBFS. Set your background music at -18 to -30 dBFS so speech sits clearly above the track. YouTube normalizes uploads to approximately -14 LUFS integrated, so mixing to that target reduces how much automatic normalization YouTube applies on the way in. These are standard audio production guidelines, not YouTube-enforced rules.
For cleaner source audio that makes these targets easier to hit, recording audio for YouTube covers microphone placement, room acoustics, and gain staging.
Using YouTube Studio's mix slider
In YouTube Studio's Editor Audio panel, the volume/mix slider reduces the added track relative to the video's existing audio. Drag left to lower the music volume. This is a global adjustment that applies the same reduction across the entire track. For more precise control (ducking the music only during speech sections), use editing software before uploading.
Adding fades in editing software
A 1-to-3-second fade-in at the track's start and a 1-to-3-second fade-out at the end prevent jarring audio cuts. In CapCut, use the Volume section and drag the fade handle. In Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, use the clip gain envelope or the Fade In/Fade Out option on the clip edge.
Where to find licensed music for YouTube videos
What the YouTube Audio Library doesn't cover
The YouTube Audio Library handles general-use background music well. It falls short for creators who need a specific sound or a genre that feels emotionally distinctive. No stems, no alternate versions, no cut-downs for intros and outros. Attribution is required on some tracks. Genre depth for brand-specific or emotionally precise video work is limited compared to a dedicated licensed catalog.
What a licensed catalog gives you
When the YouTube Audio Library doesn't have a track that matches the feeling you're after, the answer isn't settling. Soundstripe's catalog of 116,000 tracks, made by real artists and mixed in Nashville, covers YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and beyond under one comprehensive digital license. No Content ID conflicts. No attribution required in the video description. Search by mood, tempo, or genre; preview in your browser; download the moment you find the right fit. Create a free Soundstripe account and have your next video's royalty free music for YouTube sorted before you upload.
For format-specific guidance, royalty-free intros and outros covers the best track lengths and structures for opening and closing your videos cleanly.
Music that fits makes your videos land harder
The method you need depends on where your music comes from. For tracks already in the YouTube Audio Library, YouTube Studio's Editor handles the job in minutes without re-uploading. For any audio track licensed elsewhere, add it in your video editing software before you export. Either way, you can add music to YouTube video content cleanly and keep your channel protected from copyright claims and copyright strikes.
Skip the attribution line and the claims.
Find cleared music you can drop in pre-upload.
Frequently Asked Questions
Open YouTube Studio, click Content, select your video, click Editor, then Audio, and add a track from YouTube's Audio Library. This method works on desktop only, for videos under six hours. The added track appears on the audio timeline; drag it to set the start point, trim with the edge handles, and adjust the mix slider to balance the music against your video's existing audio.
Yes, you can add music after uploading using YouTube Studio's Editor, but only from YouTube's own Audio Library, not from external files. Navigate to YouTube Studio, open Content, select the video, click Editor, then Audio. You cannot import a track licensed from a third-party platform through this method. That music must be added in editing software before the upload.
Use tracks from the YouTube Audio Library, or license music from a royalty-free platform; both give you copyright-safe music for monetized videos. For youtube music without copyright claims, the YouTube Audio Library and licensed platforms like Soundstripe are the two most reliable paths. Licensed platforms provide royalty free music for YouTube with a comprehensive digital license and no attribution requirements.
No. Using a copyrighted song without a license or explicit permission can result in Content ID claims, video muting, demonetization, or channel strikes. Owning a song on a streaming platform does not grant you the right to sync it with video. You need a sync license from the rights holder, or you need pre-cleared music from the YouTube Audio Library or a licensed platform.
The YouTube Audio Library is a collection of free, copyright-cleared music and sound effects available in YouTube Studio for use in your videos. Access it via YouTube Studio, then Audio Library. Some tracks require attribution in the video description; YouTube shows the exact credit text on each track's detail page. Filter by genre, mood, instrument, duration, and attribution requirement.
YouTube Studio's post-upload editor only allows tracks from the YouTube Audio Library; you cannot import a custom music file after uploading. If you've licensed a track from a third-party platform, add it in your editing software before uploading. Re-export the finished video and re-upload it to YouTube.
Open the YouTube app, tap Create or Upload, select your Short, and tap the music icon to add a song from YouTube's Shorts audio library. You can also add music before uploading by editing the Short in CapCut or a similar app. For Shorts already uploaded, use YouTube Studio's Audio tab on desktop to add an Audio Library track.
YouTube's Content ID system detects copyrighted music and lets the rights holder block your video, mute the audio, or claim any ad revenue it earns. A Content ID match results in a copyright claim, not automatically a copyright strike. A formal DMCA takedown results in a copyright strike; three strikes lead to permanent channel termination per YouTube's policy.
Set your voiceover at -12 to -6 dBFS and background music at -18 to -30 dBFS so speech stays clearly audible. In YouTube Studio's editor, use the volume/mix slider on the added audio track to reduce the music relative to your video's existing audio. In editing software, use keyframe volume automation to duck the music during speaking sections and raise it during non-narrated segments.
Use an app like CapCut to add music to your video on your phone before uploading, or use the YouTube app's music feature for Shorts. YouTube Studio's Audio Library feature and the full video editor are only available on desktop browsers, not on the mobile YouTube app. For long-form videos on mobile, add your audio in a third-party editing app first, then upload the finished file.
YouTube Studio's built-in editor allows you to add one additional audio track from the Audio Library per video, alongside the video's existing audio. For multi-track audio, including multiple music layers, separate voiceover tracks, and sound effects, use editing software before uploading. DaVinci Resolve (free) and Adobe Premiere Pro both support unlimited audio tracks.
Some tracks in the YouTube Audio Library require attribution in the video description; YouTube shows the exact credit text on the track's detail page. Filter the Audio Library by "Attribution required" or "No attribution required" to find tracks that fit your workflow. Tracks marked with a Creative Commons license include the exact attribution text YouTube provides on the track detail screen.
CapCut is free and works on mobile and desktop; Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve offer more control for desktop editing with no licensing restrictions. CapCut is the most commonly recommended option in creator communities for quick mobile edits and YouTube Shorts. DaVinci Resolve is free on desktop and supports professional-level audio mixing with Fairlight.
YouTube Studio's built-in video editor, including the Audio feature, only works on videos shorter than six hours in length. Videos longer than six hours cannot be edited with the Studio editor at all. For longer videos, add music in your editing software before uploading.
