YouTube's built-in editor lets you add music during upload, but you lose that option once the video is live

You can add music to a YouTube video in two ways: before you upload it (using your own editing software or YouTube's upload editor) or after it's already on your channel (using YouTube Studio's audio library). The timing matters because YouTube's upload editor only works while you're in the middle of uploading — once your video is published, you'll need to use the audio library instead, which replaces or layers music over what's already there.

If you're starting from scratch with raw footage, you'll get better results editing the music in before upload. If your video is already live and you want to add a soundtrack, YouTube Studio's audio library is your fastest path.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube's upload editor includes a music library you can browse and add during upload, but this option disappears once the video publishes.
  • YouTube Studio's audio library (available after upload) lets you add or swap music on published videos without re-uploading.
  • Music from YouTube's library is free to use, but some tracks require attribution in your video description.
  • If you want to use your own music file or music from outside YouTube, you must add it in a desktop editing program before uploading.
  • Copyright-protected music will trigger a claim, and YouTube may mute it, place ads on your video, or block it in certain countries depending on the rights holder's choice.

Adding music during upload using YouTube's editor

When you upload a video to YouTube on a desktop, you'll see an option called "Add music" in the upload editor. This appears on the second step of the upload flow, after you've chosen your file but before you publish. Click it to open YouTube's audio library, which contains thousands of tracks sorted by mood, genre, and length.

Browse or search for a track that fits your video. You can preview it by clicking the play button. Once you've chosen, click "Select" and the music will be added to your video. You can adjust where the music starts and stops using the timeline, and you can set the volume so your original audio (voiceover, dialogue, ambient sound) stays audible underneath.

This method works only during upload. Once you click "Publish," the upload editor closes and this music option is gone. If you publish first and then want to add music, you'll need to use YouTube Studio instead.

Adding or changing music after your video is published

Go to YouTube Studio (studio.youtube.com), click "Content" on the left menu, and select the video you want to edit. Click "Details" to open the video editor, then scroll down to find "Audio" or "Music" depending on your account region. Click "Browse" to open the audio library.

The library works the same way as the upload editor: search or browse by mood and genre, preview tracks, and select the one you want. When you add music this way, it layers over your existing audio — your original sound stays in place. You can adjust the volume of both the new music and your original audio using the sliders that appear.

If you want to replace the music entirely (remove what's there and put something new in its place), you'll need to re-upload the video using the upload editor instead. YouTube Studio's audio tools are for adding or adjusting, not removing.

Using your own music files or music from other sources

YouTube's audio library is free and copyright-cleared, but it's limited. If you want to use music you've purchased, created yourself, or found elsewhere, you need to add it in a desktop editing program before uploading to YouTube.

Common free editing tools that handle audio include DaVinci Resolve (Windows, Mac, Linux), CapCut (Windows, Mac), and iMovie (Mac only). Open your video file, import your audio file, place it on the timeline, adjust the volume and timing, then export the finished video. Upload that file to YouTube as you normally would.

If the music you're using is copyrighted and you don't own the rights, YouTube will detect it during upload. The rights holder can choose to mute the audio, place ads on your video, or block it in certain countries. You won't be able to monetize a video with a copyright claim against it unless you own the rights.

Understanding YouTube's copyright detection and what happens next

YouTube scans every upload against a database of copyrighted music. If your video contains a match, YouTube issues a "Content ID claim" — this is not the same as a strike or takedown. The rights holder decides what happens: they can let the video stay as-is (usually with ads placed on it), mute the audio in certain regions, or block the video entirely.

You'll see the claim in YouTube Studio under "Copyright" in the left menu. You can dispute it if you believe you have the right to use the music, but disputes are rarely successful unless you own the rights or have explicit permission from the rights holder. If you want to avoid claims altogether, stick to YouTube's audio library or music you own.

Tracks that require attribution and how to add it

Most music in YouTube's audio library is free to use without attribution, but some tracks require you to credit the artist in your video description. YouTube will tell you during selection whether attribution is required. If it is, copy the exact credit text YouTube provides and paste it into your video description before publishing.

Attribution requirements vary by track and by the license the artist chose. Some artists require only their name; others require the track title and a link to their profile. YouTube's interface shows you exactly what's needed, so there's no guessing.

Adjusting music volume and timing after you've added it

In YouTube Studio, after you've selected a track, you'll see volume sliders for both the music and your original audio. Drag the music slider down if you want it quieter, or drag your original audio slider down if you want the music to be the main focus. You can also set where the music starts and stops on the timeline — useful if you want it to fade in during an intro or fade out before dialogue.

These adjustments are non-destructive, meaning you can change them anytime without re-uploading. If you added music during upload and want to adjust it later, you'll need to re-upload the video or use YouTube Studio's audio tools to layer different music on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add music to a video that's already been watched by people?

Yes. Using YouTube Studio's audio library, you can add or change music on any published video without re-uploading. Your view count and comments stay the same. The change takes effect within a few minutes.

What if I want to use a song from Spotify or Apple Music?

You can't legally use those songs in a YouTube video unless you own the rights or have permission from the rights holder. If you upload a video with that music, YouTube will detect it and the rights holder will likely claim it or block it. Use YouTube's audio library instead, or purchase a license from a music licensing site like Epidemic Sound or Artlist.

Do I have to give credit to artists whose music I use from YouTube's library?

Only if YouTube tells you the track requires attribution during selection. Most tracks don't. If attribution is required, YouTube shows you the exact text to paste into your description, and you must include it before publishing.

Can I remove music I added if I change my mind?

If you added it during upload, you'll need to re-upload the video to remove it. If you added it in YouTube Studio after publishing, you can adjust the volume to zero, but there's no "remove" button — you'd need to re-upload to get rid of it entirely. Plan ahead if you think you might want to change it later.

What happens if YouTube detects copyrighted music in my video?

YouTube issues a Content ID claim, not a strike. The rights holder decides whether to allow ads on your video, mute it, or block it in certain regions. You can dispute the claim if you believe you have rights to the music, but disputes rarely succeed unless you own the rights or have written permission.