Where to find and add music in Canva

Canva lets you add music to videos and animated designs through the Audio tab on the left sidebar. Open your project, click the music note icon in the left panel, and you'll see Canva's music library — thousands of tracks sorted by mood, genre, and length. Search for what you need, click a track to preview it, then click again to add it to your timeline. The music appears as a colored bar beneath your video or animation, and you can trim, adjust volume, or move it around just like any other element.

Canva's built-in library includes royalty-free music you can use without worrying about copyright strikes or licensing fees. Every track is cleared for use in your finished design, whether you're making a social media video, a presentation with background music, or an animated graphic. You don't need to credit the artist unless Canva's label says you do — most tracks don't require it.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the Audio tab on the left sidebar, search or browse by mood and genre, preview the track, and click to add it to your timeline.
  • Canva's music library is royalty-free, meaning you can publish your finished design without copyright issues or licensing payments.
  • You can trim music to fit your video length, adjust the volume, and fade it in or out using the controls on the timeline.
  • If you have your own music file, you can upload it as long as you own the rights or have permission to use it.

Searching for the right track by mood and length

The easiest way to find music is to search by the feeling you want — type "upbeat," "calm," "dramatic," or "funny" into the search box and Canva shows you tracks tagged that way. You can also filter by length: if your video is 15 seconds, search for "15 second music" or look at the duration listed under each track name. Canva shows you how long each piece is before you add it, so you won't waste time on a three-minute song when you need something shorter.

Genre filters also help narrow things down. Click the filter icon and choose from categories like Pop, Electronic, Acoustic, Hip-Hop, or Cinematic. If you're making a professional presentation, Cinematic or Corporate tracks usually fit better than Pop. For social media videos, Upbeat or Trending often work well. Listen to a few options before deciding — the preview button plays the first 10 seconds so you can hear whether it matches your video's pace and tone.

Adjusting volume, trimming, and fading music

Once music is on your timeline, you control how it sounds. Right-click the audio bar and you'll see options to adjust volume, trim the start and end points, and add fade-in or fade-out effects. Trimming is useful when a track is longer than your video — drag the edges of the audio bar to cut it down. Fading makes the music start quiet and build up, or end by getting quieter, which sounds more polished than an abrupt stop.

The volume slider lets you make the music quieter if it's overpowering your voiceover or other sounds. If you have multiple audio tracks — music plus a voiceover, for example — you can adjust each one separately so they balance. Click on the music bar, then use the volume control that appears. Test how it sounds by playing the video before you finish.

Uploading your own music files

If you want to use a song you own or have permission to use, click the Upload tab in the Audio section and select the file from your computer. Canva accepts MP3, WAV, and M4A files. Once it uploads, the track appears in your Audio library and you can add it to your project the same way you'd add a Canva track — click it and it goes onto your timeline.

Make sure you own the rights to any music you upload. If it's a song from Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube, you likely don't have permission to use it in a published design, and uploading it to Canva doesn't change that. If you're unsure whether you can use a track, check the artist's website or the platform where you found it. Using music without rights can result in your video being taken down or muted on social media.

Music in different Canva project types

Music works differently depending on what you're making. In video projects — like Instagram Reels, YouTube videos, or TikTok clips — music sits on the timeline alongside your video clips and animations. In presentations, you can add music to individual slides so each one has its own background track, or use one song throughout. In animated graphics, music syncs with your animations so you can time text or movement to beat drops or key moments.

For static designs like posters or social media graphics, music isn't available because there's no timeline to play it on. If you're making a slideshow or animated template, the Audio tab will be visible. If you don't see it, you're working in a format that doesn't support audio — switch to a video or presentation template if you need to add music.

Syncing music to your video timing

To make your video feel intentional, sync key moments to the music. If a beat drops at the 5-second mark, time a text reveal or scene change to happen at that same moment. Canva shows you the timeline in seconds, so you can see exactly where beats and changes occur. Play your video and watch where the music peaks or changes, then adjust your clips and animations to match.

This takes practice, but it's what separates a video that just has music from one that feels designed. Start by placing your music first, then build your video around it. Watch the preview frequently — small timing shifts make a big difference in how polished the final video feels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Canva's music on YouTube or TikTok without getting copyright strikes?

Yes. Canva's music library is royalty-free and cleared for use on all major platforms. You won't get copyright claims or strikes for using these tracks. If you upload your own music, you're responsible for making sure you have the rights to use it.

What if the music I want is longer than my video?

Trim it. Right-click the audio bar on your timeline and drag the edges to cut it to the length you need. You can also fade it out near the end so it doesn't stop abruptly. If you want the full song, make your video longer or loop the music, though looping can sound awkward unless the track is designed for it.

Can I add multiple songs to one video?

Yes. Add one track, then click Audio again and add another. Each track gets its own bar on the timeline. You can adjust when each one starts and stops, and control the volume of each separately so they don't overlap awkwardly. This works well if you want different music for different sections of your video.

Why can't I find the Audio tab in my project?

The Audio tab only appears in projects that support sound — videos, presentations, and animated designs. If you're making a static poster or image, there's no timeline to play audio on, so the tab won't show. Switch to a video or presentation template if you need to add music.

Do I have to credit the artist when I use Canva's music?

Most of Canva's tracks don't require a credit. If a specific track does, Canva will show a label saying so when you preview it. You can publish without crediting unless the track specifically asks for it, but crediting the artist is always a nice gesture if you have space.