For personal use, pick a song from TikTok's built-in Sounds library when you create a video. For commercial content, the TikTok Commercial Music Library (which holds over 1 million pre-cleared tracks) is the default route, since business accounts cannot access TikTok's standard Sounds library in the in-app editor. Business accounts can also post videos containing music they have licensed themselves, after completing TikTok's Music Usage Confirmation at upload.
The copyright and licensing information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
TikTok music copyright rules split into five paths depending on your account type and how you plan to use the content:
- Use TikTok's built-in Sounds library (personal accounts, non-commercial posts)
- Use the TikTok Commercial Music Library, or CML (business accounts, brands, and ads)
- Enable TikTok's copyright check before every post
- Add externally licensed music by editing it in before uploading
- Use original music you own outright
This guide covers the personal vs. commercial rule split, step-by-step walkthroughs for each method, the 10-second myth, what happens when TikTok flags your audio, and where to find royalty free music for TikTok that's cleared for commercial use.
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Personal vs. commercial: which rules apply to you?
TikTok music copyright policy divides into two tracks: personal and commercial. Your account type determines which music libraries you can access. Using the wrong library is a direct route to music copyright infringement on your account.
What personal accounts can use
A personal TikTok account gets access to TikTok's full Sounds library, which includes tracks licensed directly from major labels. TikTok holds those licenses for non-commercial posts, so you don't need to secure any rights yourself. The library includes popular hit songs, trending audio, and tracks from independent artists.
The copyrighted music TikTok makes available through its Sounds library is cleared for personal, non-commercial TikTok posts only. It does not cover branded content, paid promotions, or use on any other platform.
What business accounts can use
A TikTok business account sees only the Commercial Music Library in the in-app editor. The standard Sounds library disappears automatically when you switch to a business account. This restriction is account-level: it applies to every post from a business account, including organic content with no paid promotion attached.
Per TikTok's commercial music policy, using music outside the CML for any commercial post violates platform terms. If a brand brings in music from outside the CML, a valid license from the rights holder is required, and TikTok's Music Usage Confirmation must be completed before the post goes live. That in-app limit governs which tracks you can select inside TikTok, not what audio your uploaded video is allowed to contain.
Side-by-side at a glance
| Personal account | Business account | |
|---|---|---|
| Available library | Full Sounds library (major-label licensed) | Commercial Music Library in-app, plus music you license yourself |
| Popular hit songs | Yes, for non-commercial posts | No |
| Music for ads | CML only | CML only |
| License required from you | None (TikTok holds it) | None for CML tracks; required for outside music |
| Content disclosure | Required for branded content | Required for all commercial posts |
Based on TikTok's commercial music policy. Verify current rules at support.tiktok.com before posting.
How to legally add music to a TikTok video
Personal accounts follow all eight steps. Business accounts follow steps 1 through 5 and 7 through 8, skipping step 6 because the Commercial Music Library replaces the Sounds library automatically.
- Open TikTok and tap "+"
Access the camera or upload screen.
- Record or upload your video
Record in the app or tap "Upload" to select a pre-edited clip from your camera roll.
- Tap "Add sound"
This opens the Sounds library for personal accounts or the Commercial Music Library for business accounts.
- Search or browse
Search by song title, artist, or mood, or browse trending and featured audio.
- Select and trim the track
Pick the audio clip, trim it to the section you want, and tap the checkmark to apply.
- Add content disclosure
For personal accounts posting branded content only. Tap "More options" before posting, tap "Content disclosure," toggle it ON, and select "Your brand" or "Branded content."
- Verify the copyright check is active
Confirm "Video sound copyright check" is enabled in Creator Tools. The scan runs automatically when you tap "Post."
- Tap "Post"
Your video goes live.
How to use TikTok's Sounds library (personal)
The TikTok Sounds library is available to every personal account and includes millions of tracks, from chart hits licensed from major labels to trending audio clips from other creators' videos. For non-commercial posts, this library covers you completely. No separate music licensing step is required on your end.
Adding music while recording or uploading
- Tap "+" to open the camera or upload screen.
- Record or select a video from your camera roll.
- Tap "Add sound" at the top of the editor.
- Search by song title, artist, or mood, or browse trending audio.
- Select the track, trim the clip to the section you want, then tap the checkmark to apply.
Using audio from another creator's video
Tap the spinning disc icon on any TikTok video, then tap "Use this sound." This pulls the exact audio clip from the original creator's post into your editor. The same license that applies to the Sounds library applies here.
Tracks from TikTok's Sounds library are cleared for personal, non-commercial posts on TikTok only. You cannot extract the audio, use it on other platforms, or include it in branded content. For any of those uses, the CML or an external license is the right path.
How to use the Commercial Music Library
The TikTok Commercial Music Library holds over 1 million pre-cleared music tracks for brands, businesses, and creators running commercial content on the platform. Business accounts see only these tracks in the in-app editor. No toggle is required; the standard Sounds library is replaced automatically when the account is set to business.
Accessing the CML in the TikTok app
Business accounts open the TikTok editor and see the CML directly. If you want to browse before a shoot, the CML web browser at ads.tiktok.com lets you filter by mood, genre, or tempo. Planning content around a specific sound is faster when you can search before the camera is rolling.
Enabling content disclosure for branded posts
Before posting, complete the content disclosure TikTok requires for branded and commercial content. Tap "More options," then "Content disclosure," toggle it ON, and select "Your brand" or "Branded content." If you're bringing in audio from outside the CML, the Music Usage Confirmation prompt appears at this step and requires confirmation that you hold rights to the music. Brands that cannot confirm rights should switch to a CML track before proceeding.
New tracks: the Artist Impact Program
The Artist Impact Program connects global artists with TikTok's commercial catalog, expanding the tracks available to brand creators on a rolling basis. If a track wasn't in the CML six months ago, it may be available now. Brands following TikTok audio trends closely should check the CML for new additions before each campaign.
How to enable TikTok's copyright check
The copyright check TikTok offers is a pre-post audio scan that alerts you when a track in your video is registered in TikTok's system. Every creator and brand should have this enabled. It won't grant you any rights, but it catches problems before your video goes live instead of after.
The exact steps to turn it on
- Go to your TikTok profile.
- Tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines, top right).
- Tap "Creator tools."
- Find "Video sound copyright check" and toggle it ON.
- From this point forward, TikTok will automatically scan audio before you post and alert you if a track is flagged.
Once the scan runs, you have three options if a flag appears: swap the audio, mute it, or cancel the post before anything publishes.
What the check catches (and what it misses)
TikTok's copyright check uses audio fingerprinting to match spectral signatures against tracks registered in TikTok's database. Even a short clip of a well-known song triggers the same flag as the full track.
The check has real limits. It may miss newer releases, lesser-known tracks, or audio not yet registered with TikTok's fingerprinting system. A clean scan result means TikTok detected no conflict at that moment. It does not mean the music is cleared for use.
Can you use 10 seconds of a copyrighted song?
No. There is no 10-second rule in copyright law, and even a brief clip of copyrighted music TikTok has registered in its fingerprinting database can trigger detection and result in a copyright claim.
Fair use analysis under U.S. copyright law evaluates four factors: the purpose of use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount used relative to the whole, and the effect on the market for the original. Per the U.S. Copyright Office's fair use guidance, duration alone is not determinative. Using a famous 10-second chorus can capture more protected expression than 60 seconds of an obscure instrumental passage.
TikTok's automated system does not adjudicate fair use. It flags, mutes, or removes content based on registered fingerprints. A 10-second hook from a hit song triggers a match the same as the full track.
| Common belief | Reality |
|---|---|
| 10 seconds is safe under fair use | No duration threshold exists in copyright law |
| Short clips avoid fingerprint detection | Audio fingerprinting identifies any clip length |
| Fading out the music prevents detection | Fingerprinting matches the spectral pattern regardless of fade |
How to add a song that isn't on TikTok
If the track you want isn't in TikTok's library, you can still use it as long as you hold a valid license. This method works for personal accounts using licensed tracks and for business accounts using externally licensed commercial music.
Edit the audio in before you upload
For a full platform-agnostic walkthrough, our guide on adding music to video covers the editing and export process in detail. The TikTok-specific steps are:
- Confirm you hold a valid license for the track (a royalty-free subscription, a single-track license, or original music you own outright).
- Add the audio to your video using a third-party editor such as CapCut, iMovie, or Premiere Rush.
- Export the finished video with audio embedded to your camera roll.
- In TikTok, tap "+" then tap "Upload" (not "Record"). Uploaded videos carry their embedded audio through intact; TikTok's in-app Sounds library does not apply to uploaded files.
- Complete TikTok's Music Usage Confirmation when prompted, confirming you hold rights to the music.
- Review the audio in the final preview, then post.
Confirming your license before you post
Before you upload, confirm that your license explicitly covers TikTok or "social media commercial use." A synchronization license (also called a sync license) grants permission to pair a specific piece of music with a video. For royalty free music for TikTok, the platform's license typically handles this work, replacing the need to negotiate a separate sync license, but only if TikTok or social media is listed in the license terms.
If TikTok isn't listed in the platform's terms, contact the platform before posting. For a deeper explanation of how license terms apply to video, see our music licensing terms guide. If you enabled content disclosure and the audio is not from TikTok's library, the Music Usage Confirmation will appear and you need to confirm rights before the post goes through.
What happens when TikTok flags your audio
Any copyrighted music TikTok detects through fingerprinting triggers one of three responses from the platform, depending on what the rights holder has instructed.
Audio muting and regional blocks
The most common response is an audio mute. TikTok removes the flagged track but leaves the video live. In some cases, rights holders request regional blocks instead of a full mute, meaning your video stays audible in some countries but is silenced in others.
Enforcement runs automatically through TikTok's fingerprinting system and typically takes effect within hours of posting for any track registered in the database.
Video removal and account strikes
When a rights holder requests full removal, TikTok takes the video down entirely and issues a copyright claim against your account. Business accounts face additional risk: repeated violations can trigger account suspension, not just individual content removal.
Repeated claims build a record. A single mistake is usually recoverable. A pattern of violations is not.
How to dispute a wrongful claim
If TikTok flagged music you have the rights to use, open the in-app notification for the flagged video and tap "Appeal." Submit a counter-notice with documentation (a valid license, proof of original authorship, or a written permission letter from the rights holder). Under the DMCA, once a valid counter-notice is filed, the platform must restore the content in 10 to 14 business days unless the rights holder files a lawsuit.
Keep your license documentation somewhere accessible. If you're using royalty-free music from a subscription platform, a screenshot of your active subscription and the track's license certificate is typically enough to support a dispute.
Licensed music from outside TikTok: your options
When the TikTok Commercial Music Library doesn't have the right track for your content, externally licensed music is the correct solution. The key is choosing a source where the license terms explicitly cover your intended use.
Royalty-free libraries cleared for social media
Royalty free music for TikTok should meet one clear standard: the platform's license terms must explicitly list TikTok or "social media commercial use." When that language is present, the platform's license replaces the need to negotiate a separate sync license. When it's absent, you're exposed.
Not every royalty-free music library covers TikTok explicitly. Look for "social media" or "TikTok" in the license documentation before you download. For a clear breakdown of what a royalty-free license actually grants, see our guide on royalty-free music basics. Understanding what the license covers keeps you from discovering a gap after you've already posted.
Music licensing from a platform built for commercial social use gives you the license the moment you download, no per-use fee, and documentation ready if you ever need to dispute a flag.
Original music: the zero-risk option
Original music you composed and recorded yourself carries zero copyright risk on any platform. If you own both the composition and the master recording, no license is required and no fingerprint match is possible (unless someone else samples your work without permission).
For brands running high-volume content production, investing in original music often pays for itself compared to per-track licensing or the legal exposure that comes from improperly licensed commercial audio.
When the TikTok Commercial Music Library doesn't have the sound that fits your content, you still have options, as long as the music you bring in is properly licensed for commercial use. Soundstripe's catalog of 116,000+ tracks by real artists is pre-cleared for social media including TikTok, so you hold the license the moment you download. Browse by mood, tempo, or instrument, bring the track into your video editor before uploading, and post with confidence.
When the CML doesn't fit your content.
Find music pre-cleared for commercial TikTok use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, through TikTok's built-in Sounds library for personal posts, or the Commercial Music Library for brand and business content. TikTok holds licenses from major labels that allow personal creators to use popular songs in non-commercial posts. Brands use the CML, which contains over 1 million pre-cleared tracks, or music they have licensed themselves. Using music outside these libraries without your own license violates TikTok's IP policy and can result in muting, blocking, or account removal.
Personal accounts tap "Add sound" in the TikTok editor and select any track from the built-in Sounds library, which TikTok has already licensed. The library includes tracks from major labels and trending audio from other creators' videos. Tapping the spinning disc icon on any video lets you "Use this sound," and the same license applies. Personal library tracks cover personal, non-commercial TikTok posts only and do not extend to branded content, ads, or other platforms.
Brands use the TikTok Commercial Music Library, which is available exclusively to business accounts for all commercial posts, organic and paid. Business accounts see only CML tracks in the in-app editor; the standard Sounds library is not accessible. For music from outside the CML, brands need a valid sync or commercial license and must complete TikTok's Music Usage Confirmation before posting.
The CML is TikTok's catalog of pre-cleared tracks (over 1 million songs) that brands can legally use for commercial posts and ads. Business accounts access it automatically in the TikTok editor with no separate toggle required. A web version lives at ads.tiktok.com for pre-production browsing. The CML expands regularly through TikTok's Artist Impact Program, which connects artists with brand creators who need commercial-safe audio.
Yes. A business account can post a video containing externally licensed music, provided it holds a valid license covering commercial use on TikTok and completes TikTok's Music Usage Confirmation at upload. The in-app editor shows only CML tracks, but that limit applies to selecting audio inside the app rather than to the audio already in the video file. Edit the track into your video before uploading rather than trying to select it in the app.
No. There is no 10-second rule in copyright law, and TikTok's audio fingerprinting detects even brief clips of registered songs. Copyright fair use analysis evaluates four factors (purpose, nature of the work, amount used, and market effect), and duration is not among them. A 10-second hook from a hit song can capture more protected expression than a full instrumental passage. TikTok's automated system doesn't adjudicate fair use; it flags, mutes, or removes content regardless of clip length.
Use only music from TikTok's Sounds library, the TikTok Commercial Music Library, or externally licensed royalty-free music you hold the rights to. Enabling the copyright check TikTok added to Creator Tools gives you a pre-post scan that warns you before the video goes live. For commercial content, sticking to the CML removes the music-side copyright risk, since every track in the library is already cleared for business use. Externally licensed music works too, provided you complete TikTok's Music Usage Confirmation at upload.
Go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select Creator Tools, and toggle on "Video sound copyright check." Once enabled, TikTok scans your audio automatically before you tap "Post" and alerts you if the track is flagged. The copyright check TikTok provides is a warning tool, not a rights clearance. If a scan returns a flag, swap the track, mute the audio, or cancel the post before anything goes live.
Add the music in a third-party video editor, export the finished video to your camera roll, then upload it directly to TikTok. Tap "Upload" (not "Record") in TikTok's camera screen; uploaded videos carry their embedded audio through without triggering the in-app Sounds library. Confirm you hold a valid license for the track before posting, and complete TikTok's Music Usage Confirmation when prompted. Royalty-free platforms that cover social media commercial use in their license terms are the simplest source for commercially safe external audio.
Brands using music outside the Commercial Music Library need a sync license from the rights holder before posting commercial content on TikTok. A synchronization license grants permission to pair a specific piece of music with a video. TikTok's CML handles this automatically for its own catalog. For royalty-free platform music, the platform's license terms typically cover TikTok commercial use, replacing the need to negotiate a separate sync license.
No. Business accounts see only the TikTok Commercial Music Library in the in-app editor, for all content including organic posts, ads, and promoted videos. Switching to a business account removes access to TikTok's standard Sounds library, and the CML appears in its place. That limit applies to selecting audio inside the app; a business account can still upload a video containing music it has licensed itself.
TikTok may mute the audio, block the video in certain regions, or remove it entirely, depending on what the rights holder has instructed. Enforcement runs automatically via audio fingerprinting and typically takes effect within hours of posting for registered tracks. Business accounts with repeated violations risk account suspension. You can appeal through TikTok's dispute flow by submitting a counter-notice with evidence of rights; under the DMCA, content is restored in 10 to 14 business days unless the rights holder files suit.
No. Downloading music from Spotify or YouTube to use in a TikTok video violates both platforms' terms of service and copyright law. Spotify and YouTube license music for streaming within their own platforms only. The only safe options are TikTok's own libraries, original music you own, or externally licensed tracks from a platform that explicitly covers your intended use in its license terms.
