The basic process works the same way across most tools

To add music to a video, you import both the video and audio file into your editing software, place them on separate tracks in the timeline, and adjust the volume so both play together. The music track sits below or above your video track — you can see them both at once and move them independently. Most software lets you trim the music to fit your video length, fade the volume in and out, and lower the music so dialogue or other sounds still come through.

The simplest tools handle this in three clicks: upload video, upload audio, export. More advanced editors let you add multiple music tracks, sync music to specific moments, and control exactly how loud each sound is at every second. The core idea stays the same regardless of which tool you use.

Key Takeaways

  • Import your video and music file as separate elements, then place them on different tracks so you can control each one independently.
  • Trim the music to match your video length by dragging the edge of the audio track in the timeline, or cut sections out entirely.
  • Lower the music volume if your video has dialogue or other important sounds, using the volume slider or keyframes to change levels at specific moments.
  • Fade music in at the start and out at the end to avoid jarring silence, which takes seconds in any editor and makes the result feel polished.
  • Export your final video with both tracks mixed together — the software combines them into one file automatically.

Where to find and import your audio file

Before you open your editor, have your music file ready on your computer. Common formats are MP3, WAV, and M4A — most editors accept all three. If you have music from a streaming service like Spotify, you cannot use it directly because of copyright protection; you will need to use royalty-free music from a site like Pixabay, Pexels, or YouTube Audio Library instead. These sites let you read music free and use it in your own videos without permission.

Once your editor is open, look for an "Import" or "Add Media" button — it is usually in the top menu or the left sidebar. Click it and select your music file from your computer. The file will appear in a media panel or library. Drag it down into the timeline below your video, placing it on its own audio track. If the timeline does not show an audio track yet, right-click in the timeline area and select "Add Audio Track" or similar.

Trim the music to fit your video length

Your music file is probably longer or shorter than your video. To shorten it, hover over the right edge of the audio track in the timeline until your cursor changes to a resize arrow, then drag left to cut off the end. To lengthen the visible portion (if the music is longer than the video), drag right. You are not deleting the music — you are just deciding where it stops playing.

If you want to remove a section from the middle of the song, click on the audio track to place your playhead where you want the cut, then right-click and select "Split" or "Cut." This divides the track into two pieces. Delete the middle piece by clicking it and pressing Delete, then drag the right piece left to close the gap. The remaining music will play without the section you removed.

Adjust volume so music and other sounds work together

If your video has dialogue, narration, or important ambient sound, the music will drown it out unless you lower the music volume. Look for a volume slider on the audio track itself — it is usually a horizontal line running through the middle of the track. Click and drag this line downward to reduce the volume. A good starting point is around 50 to 70 percent of full volume, but listen to a preview and adjust until dialogue is clear and music supports rather than overpowers it.

For more control, use keyframes — markers that let you change volume at specific moments. Click the keyframe button (usually a diamond icon) at the point in the timeline where you want the volume to change, then drag the volume line up or down at that spot. For example, you could lower the music during dialogue and raise it again during a silent moment. This takes practice but gives you professional-level control.

Fade music in and out for a polished sound

Abrupt silence at the start or end of music sounds unfinished. A fade makes the transition smooth. Most editors have a fade tool in the toolbar — look for an icon that looks like a triangle or curve. Click the fade tool, then click and drag from the very start of the audio track inward about one second to create a fade-in. Do the same at the end to create a fade-out. The audio will gradually increase from silence at the start and gradually decrease to silence at the end.

If your editor does not have a dedicated fade tool, you can create the same effect with keyframes: place a keyframe at the start with volume at zero, place another keyframe one second later with volume at full, and repeat in reverse at the end. Preview the result by pressing the spacebar or clicking Play — you should hear the music smoothly enter and exit.

Preview and export your final video

Before you export, play through the entire video to check that the music timing feels right, the volume balance works, and there are no awkward gaps or overlaps. Use the spacebar or Play button to watch from the beginning. If something does not sound right, pause, adjust the music track, and preview again.

When you are satisfied, go to File > Export or File > Render (the exact wording varies by software). Choose your video format — MP4 is the most common and works everywhere. The software will combine your video and audio tracks into a single file. This usually takes a few minutes depending on your video length and your computer speed. Once it finishes, you will have a complete video with music included.

Common problems and how to fix them

If the music does not play when you export, check that the audio track is not muted — look for a speaker icon on the track and click it if it has a line through it. If the music is out of sync with the video (starting too early or late), click the audio track and drag it left or right in the timeline to shift it. If the music sounds distorted or too quiet, lower the volume slider — distortion usually means the volume is set too high.

If your editor will not import your music file, the file format may not be supported. Try converting it to MP3 using a free tool like Audacity or an online converter, then import the MP3 instead. If you cannot hear the music during preview but it plays in the exported file, your computer speakers may be muted — check your system volume or plug in headphones to test.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not without permission. Streaming services and YouTube protect their music with copyright, and using it in your own video will trigger a copyright claim or takedown notice. Use royalty-free music from Pixabay, Pexels, YouTube Audio Library, or Epidemic Sound instead — these are designed for creators and let you use the music legally.

What if my music is shorter than my video?

You can loop the music to make it repeat. Most editors have a "Loop" or "Repeat" option — right-click the audio track and look for it. Alternatively, duplicate the audio track by copying and pasting it, then drag the copy to start where the first one ends. This creates a seamless repeat if the song ends and starts cleanly.

How do I make the music fade out before the video ends?

Use the fade-out tool or keyframes to lower the volume to zero at the point where you want the music to stop. If you want the music to stop abruptly at a specific moment instead, place your playhead there, split the audio track, and delete everything after the split.

Can I add multiple music tracks to the same video?

Yes. Add a second audio track by right-clicking in the timeline and selecting "Add Audio Track," then import a second music file and place it on that track. You can overlap them, fade one out as the other fades in, or play them simultaneously. Control each track's volume independently.

Why does my exported video have no sound at all?

Check that the audio track is not muted (look for a speaker icon with a line through it on the track itself). Also verify that you selected an export format that supports audio — some formats like GIF do not. If both are correct, try exporting again; sometimes the first attempt fails silently.