The basic steps work the same way in every video editor

Adding music to a video means importing an audio file into your editor, placing it on the timeline below your video track, and adjusting its volume so it doesn't drown out dialogue or sound effects. Most editors handle this the same way: you drag the music file into the project, position it where you want the sound to start, and trim or fade it as needed. The differences between editors are mainly in how many clicks each step takes and whether the software warns you about copyright.

The music file itself needs to be in a format your editor recognizes — MP3, WAV, and AAC are the most common and work in nearly every editor. If you have music in an unusual format, you can convert it using free tools like Audacity or VLC before you start editing. The file size doesn't matter much; a three-minute song takes up far less space than your video does.

Key Takeaways

  • Import your audio file by dragging it into the editor or using the File menu, then place it on a separate audio track below your video.
  • Position the music to start where you want it, trim the end if it's longer than your video, and fade in or out to avoid jarring cuts.
  • Lower the music volume if you have dialogue or other sounds you need to hear, using the audio mixer or the track's volume slider.
  • Music from YouTube, streaming services, and social media platforms usually has copyright restrictions; royalty-free music sites let you use tracks legally without permission.

How to import audio into your editor

The import process depends on which editor you're using. In DaVinci Resolve (free version available), go to File > Import > Audio, select your music file, and it appears in the media pool. In Adobe Premiere Pro, drag the file directly onto the timeline or use File > Import. In CapCut (free, phone and desktop), tap the plus icon, select Audio, and choose your file. In iMovie on Mac, click the audio button in the toolbar and drag your file in.

Once the file is imported, you'll see it as a waveform — a visual representation of the sound — on the timeline. If your editor doesn't automatically create a separate audio track, right-click the video track and select "Add Audio Track" or similar. This keeps your music separate from your video's original sound, so you can adjust each one independently.

Positioning and trimming the music to fit your video

Drag the audio file along the timeline to move it left or right. Moving it left makes the music start earlier; moving it right delays when the sound begins. Most editors snap the audio to the playhead (the vertical line showing where you're currently viewing) so you can line it up precisely with a specific moment in your video — like the beat of a song matching a cut, or music starting when a title appears.

If your music is longer than your video, click and drag the right edge of the audio waveform to shorten it. The audio will stop playing at that point. If your music is shorter than your video, the video will play in silence after the music ends; add another audio file or loop the first one by copying and pasting it on the timeline right after the original ends.

Adjusting volume so dialogue and music work together

If your video has dialogue, narration, or important sound effects, the music needs to be quieter so people can hear those sounds. Most editors show a volume slider on each audio track — look for a line running horizontally through the waveform. Click and drag that line downward to lower the volume, or right-click the track and enter a specific percentage like 50% or 30%.

A common approach is to set music at 30 to 50 percent volume when dialogue is playing, then raise it to 80 to 100 percent during scenes with no talking. You can create these changes by clicking the volume line at different points on the timeline and dragging each section up or down. Play back your video to hear how it sounds; if you can't hear the dialogue clearly, lower the music more.

Fading music in and out to avoid harsh cuts

A fade makes the volume gradually increase (fade in) or decrease (fade out) over a few seconds instead of jumping from silent to loud or loud to silent. Most editors add fades automatically to the start and end of audio clips, but you can adjust how long the fade lasts. Look for small triangles or handles at the corners of the audio waveform and drag them inward to make the fade longer or outward to make it shorter.

If your editor doesn't show fade handles, right-click the audio clip and look for "Fade In" or "Fade Out" options, or check the Effects panel. A typical fade lasts one to two seconds. Fading out is especially useful at the end of your video so the music doesn't stop abruptly; fading in at the start makes the music feel intentional rather than accidental.

Finding music you can legally use in your video

Music from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok, and other streaming platforms is copyrighted, and using it in a video you upload or share can result in the platform muting the audio, removing your video, or claiming the revenue from ads. If you want to use commercial music, you need a license, which usually costs money and comes with restrictions on where you can use it.

Royalty-free music sites let you read tracks that you can use in videos without asking permission or paying per use. Popular free options include YouTube Audio Library (built into YouTube Studio if you have a channel), Pixabay Music, Pexels Music, and Free Music Archive. Paid services like Epidemic Sound and Artlist offer larger libraries and higher-quality tracks. Always check the license terms for each site; some require you to credit the artist, and some restrict commercial use.

Syncing music to the beat or action in your video

Matching music to what's happening on screen makes a video feel intentional. If you want a beat to land on a cut or a moment of action, zoom in on the timeline so you can see the waveform in detail. The waveform shows peaks (loud parts) and valleys (quiet parts); a beat usually appears as a sharp peak. Drag your video clip or audio clip so the peak lines up with the moment you want to emphasize.

If you're working with a song that has a clear structure — verses, chorus, bridge — you can plan your cuts around those sections. A chorus often works well for a montage or a moment of impact, while verses suit slower, more detailed scenes. Listen to the music before you start editing and mark the timestamps where sections change, then use those as guides when you arrange your video clips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a song from Spotify or Apple Music in my video?

Not without a license. Streaming services own the rights to the music, and uploading a video with that music to YouTube, TikTok, or other platforms will likely result in the audio being muted or removed. Use royalty-free music instead, which is designed for this purpose and is legal to use.

What audio format should my music file be in?

MP3, WAV, and AAC work in nearly every video editor. If you have music in a different format, you can convert it using free software like Audacity or VLC. Most editors will tell you if they don't recognize a file format when you try to import it.

How do I make the music fade out at the end of my video?

Look for small triangles or handles at the corners of the audio waveform on the timeline. Drag the handle at the right end inward to create a fade-out effect. The further you drag it, the longer the fade lasts. If you don't see handles, right-click the audio clip and select "Fade Out" from the menu.

Can I use multiple songs in one video?

Yes. Import each song as a separate audio file on the timeline, position them end-to-end or overlapping, and adjust the volume and fades so transitions between songs sound smooth. Overlapping the end of one song with the start of another for a second or two creates a crossfade effect.

What if my music is shorter than my video?

You can copy and paste the audio clip on the timeline to loop it, or import a different song to fill the remaining time. If you loop the same song, make sure the fade-out and fade-in between repeats sound natural so it doesn't feel jarring.