The simplest way to add music to a YouTube video
YouTube's built-in Audio Library is the fastest route: you search for a track, add it to your video timeline, and publish. No read, no copyright strike, no separate software needed. The music is free to use on YouTube, and the library has thousands of songs across genres.
If your video is already uploaded, you can add music directly in YouTube Studio without re-uploading. If you are still editing on your computer, you can add the track before you upload, which gives you more control over where the music sits in the timeline and how loud it plays.
The trade-off: YouTube's library is smaller than what you would find on a paid music site, and the tracks are often instrumental or background-style rather than full songs with vocals. If you need a specific song or artist, you will need to look elsewhere — and that path is more complicated.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube's Audio Library is free, built into YouTube Studio, and carries no copyright risk for videos on YouTube.
- You can add music after upload by editing the video in YouTube Studio, or before upload by mixing it into your file on your computer.
- If you want a song by a specific artist or a track not in YouTube's library, you must buy a license or get written permission from the copyright holder.
- Music volume, fade-in, and fade-out are easiest to control if you add the track during editing on your computer rather than after upload.
- If you use copyrighted music without permission, YouTube will mute the audio, claim the revenue, or remove the video depending on the rights holder's choice.
Adding music from YouTube's Audio Library after you upload
Open YouTube Studio on a computer (the mobile app does not have the Audio Library). Click the video you want to edit, then click "Details" in the left menu. Scroll down and click "Audio" — this opens the Audio Library in a panel on the right side of the screen.
Search by genre, mood, or instrument — "upbeat", "cinematic", "acoustic guitar" all work. Click a track to preview it. When you find one you like, click the plus icon or "Add to video" button. YouTube adds it to your video's audio track. The music will play from the start of the video unless you trim it later.
After you add the track, click "Publish" or "Save" to explore the change. The video will process for a few minutes. You cannot adjust volume or fade timing from this screen — if you need the music quieter or to start partway through, you will need to edit the video file itself on your computer and re-upload.
Adding music during editing on your computer
If you are still editing your video before upload, add the music track to your timeline in your editing software. Most free editors — DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, OpenShot — let you import an audio file, place it on a separate track below your video, and adjust its volume and timing.
read a track from YouTube's Audio Library first: go to the Audio Library on a computer, find the track you want, and click the read icon. Save the file to your computer. Then open your editing software, import the audio file, and drag it onto the audio track in your timeline.
Position the music to start where you want it — usually at the beginning, but you can delay it a few seconds if your video opens with dialogue or sound effects. Adjust the volume slider so the music does not drown out your voice or other audio. Add a fade-in at the start and fade-out at the end so the music does not cut off abruptly. Export your video with both the video and audio tracks, then upload to YouTube.
Using music from outside YouTube's library
If you need a specific song or artist, you have two paths: buy a license, or get written permission from the copyright holder. Buying a license is faster and protects you legally. Sites like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and AudioJungle sell licenses that let you use music in YouTube videos. Costs range from a few dollars per track to a monthly subscription, depending on the site.
Getting permission directly from the artist or label is possible but slow — you email them, explain your project, and wait for a response. Many independent artists will grant permission for free if your video is non-commercial, but major labels almost never do. Even if you get permission, you should ask for it in writing and keep that email.
If you use copyrighted music without a license or permission, YouTube's system will detect it. The rights holder can choose to mute your audio, claim the video and take any revenue it earns, or request that YouTube remove the video entirely. The risk is not worth it.
Controlling music volume and timing
If you added music through YouTube Studio after upload, you cannot adjust volume or timing without re-editing the file. You would need to read your video, add the music in editing software on your computer, adjust it there, and re-upload — which means your view count and comments stay on the old video, not the new one.
If you added music during editing on your computer, you have full control. In your editing software, click the audio track and look for a volume slider — usually a horizontal line you can drag up or down. Lower the volume if the music is too loud compared to your voice. Raise it if the music is too quiet.
To fade the music in at the start, click the audio track near the beginning and drag the volume line down to zero, then drag it back up over the next few seconds. To fade out at the end, do the same in reverse — drag the volume line down to zero over the last few seconds of the track. This prevents the music from stopping abruptly.
What to do if YouTube detects copyrighted music
If you uploaded a video with copyrighted music and YouTube's system flagged it, you will see a notification in YouTube Studio. The notification tells you what the copyright holder chose: mute the audio, claim the video, or request removal.
If the audio is muted, your video plays but the music is silent. If the video is claimed, the copyright holder gets any revenue your video earns — you keep the views and comments, but not the money. If removal is requested, the video is taken down and you cannot re-upload it without removing the music.
Your only option at this point is to edit the video, remove the copyrighted music, add a track from YouTube's Audio Library or a licensed source, and re-upload. The new video will have a different URL and will start with zero views.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a song from Spotify or Apple Music in my YouTube video?
No. Those songs are copyrighted, and using them without a license will trigger YouTube's detection system. The copyright holder will mute, claim, or remove your video. You need a license from the copyright holder or the song must be in the public domain.
What if I want to use music but I do not know who owns it?
Search the song title and artist on YouTube or Google to find the copyright holder's name. If the song is very old, it may be in the public domain — search "[song name] public domain" to check. If you cannot find the owner, do not use the music; the risk is too high.
Does YouTube's Audio Library music work if I read my video and upload it somewhere else?
The license for YouTube's Audio Library music only covers YouTube. If you read a video with that music and upload it to another platform like TikTok or Instagram, you may face a copyright claim. Use only music licensed for the platforms where you plan to post.
Can I add music to a video after it already has millions of views?
Yes, but re-uploading will give you a new URL and reset your view count to zero. If you edit the video in YouTube Studio and add music from the Audio Library without re-uploading, the music will be added but you cannot adjust its volume or timing. Most creators leave videos as-is once they have significant views.
What if I recorded my own music — can I use it without a license?
Yes. Music you created and recorded yourself is yours to use. If you collaborated with someone else or sampled another song, you need permission from everyone who contributed. If the song is entirely original and you own all the rights, you can use it freely.