The basic steps work the same way in every video editor

To add music to your video, you import an audio file into your editor, place it on the timeline below your video track, and adjust the volume so it sits behind your dialogue or narration. Most editors let you drag the audio file directly onto the timeline, trim it to match your video length, and fade it in or out at the edges. The exact menu names and button locations change between programs, but the workflow is identical: file in, position on timeline, adjust levels, export.

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 program. If you have music in an unusual format, you can convert it using free tools like Audacity or VLC before bringing it into your editor. Most editors will tell you when ready if the format is not supported.

Key Takeaways

  • Import your audio file by dragging it onto the timeline or using File > Import Audio, then position it below your video track.
  • Trim the audio to match your video length by dragging the edges of the audio clip on the timeline.
  • Lower the volume of background music so dialogue and narration stay clear and audible.
  • Use fade-in and fade-out effects at the start and end of music to avoid abrupt cuts.
  • Export your final video with audio included by selecting an export format that supports both video and sound.

Importing audio into your timeline

Open your video editor and load your video project. Look for a menu option called File, Import, or Media — the exact name depends on your program. Select Import Audio or Add Audio File. Navigate to the music file on your computer and open it. The audio will appear as a colored bar or waveform on a new track below your video.

If your editor supports drag-and-drop, you can skip the menu entirely: open your file browser in a separate window, find the audio file, and drag it directly onto the timeline. This is faster once you know where to drop it. Most editors will create a new audio track automatically when you drop a file there.

If the audio does not appear or your editor says the format is not supported, check that the file is actually an audio file and not a video file with audio embedded. If you are unsure, right-click the file and select Properties or Get Info to see what type it is. MP3 and WAV files are the safest choice — if your music is in a different format, convert it first using Audacity (free, works on Windows and Mac) or your operating system's built-in tools.

Positioning and trimming the audio to fit your video

Once the audio is on the timeline, you will see it as a horizontal bar with a waveform inside. Click and drag this bar to move it left or right, which shifts when the music starts and stops. Most people position music to start at the beginning of the video, but you can delay it to let dialogue play first, or bring it in partway through.

To trim the audio so it ends when your video ends, hover your cursor over the right edge of the audio bar until it changes to a resize cursor (usually a double-headed arrow). Click and drag the edge to the left to shorten the audio, or to the right to extend it. If the audio is longer than your video, dragging the edge inward will cut off the excess. If the audio is shorter than your video, you can loop it by copying and pasting the same clip multiple times, or you can let it end early and add silence.

Pay attention to the timeline ruler at the top — it shows you exactly where your video ends. Align the right edge of your audio to that same point so the music stops when the video stops. This prevents awkward silence or abrupt cuts.

Adjusting volume so music does not drown out dialogue

Background music should sit behind any dialogue, narration, or important sound effects. To lower the volume, right-click the audio bar and look for Volume, Levels, or Audio Properties. A slider or number field will appear — drag the slider to the left or type a lower number. Start at 50 percent and listen to a preview. If you can still hear the dialogue clearly, the music is at a good level. If the dialogue is hard to hear, lower the music further.

Some editors let you adjust volume by clicking directly on the audio bar and dragging it downward — the bar will shrink visually as the volume decreases. This is faster than opening a menu. Experiment with a few seconds of your video to find the right balance before explore it to the whole track.

If different parts of your video need different music volumes — for example, louder during a montage and quieter during dialogue — you can add volume keyframes. These are markers on the timeline that let you change the volume at specific moments. Most editors have a Keyframe or Automation button near the audio track. Click it to add a keyframe, then drag the audio bar up or down at that point. The volume will smoothly transition between keyframes.

Adding fade-in and fade-out effects

A fade-in makes the music gradually get louder from silence over the first few seconds. A fade-out does the opposite at the end. These effects prevent the music from starting or stopping abruptly, which sounds jarring. Most editors include fade tools built into the audio track itself.

To add a fade-in, look for a small triangle or handle at the top-left corner of the audio bar. Click and drag this handle to the right — as you drag, you will see a diagonal line appear inside the audio bar, getting darker as it moves right. This line represents the fade-in curve. Drag it about one to two seconds into the audio. Do the same at the top-right corner to create a fade-out at the end.

If your editor does not have visible handles, right-click the audio bar and look for Fade In, Fade Out, or Effects. Select the fade you want, and a dialog will ask how long the fade should last — enter a time in seconds, usually between 0.5 and 3 seconds. Preview the result by playing a few seconds of your video to make sure the fade timing feels natural.

Exporting your video with audio included

When you are ready to save your finished video, go to File > Export or File > Render. Your editor will ask you to choose a format and location. Select a video format that includes audio — MP4, MOV, and WebM all support both video and sound. If you choose a format that only handles video (rare, but possible), your audio will be lost.

Before you export, check the export settings to make sure audio is enabled. Look for an Audio checkbox or an option that says Include Audio or Audio Codec. Make sure it is checked. Some editors let you set the audio quality separately from the video quality — if you see this option, leave it at the default unless you have a specific reason to change it.

The export process can take several minutes depending on your video length and your computer speed. Once it finishes, play the exported file in a media player to confirm the music is there and at the right volume. If something sounds wrong, go back to your editor, make adjustments, and export again.

Common problems and how to fix them

The audio file will not import. Check that the file is actually an audio file (MP3, WAV, or AAC are safest) and not a video file. If you are unsure, try converting it using Audacity. If the file is very large or very old, your editor might not recognize it — converting it usually solves this.

The music is out of sync with the video. This usually means the audio track got shifted accidentally. Click the audio bar and drag it left or right until it lines up with where you want it to start. If the audio drifts out of sync during playback, this is a different problem — your editor might be struggling with the file format. Try converting the audio to MP3 and reimporting it.

The exported video has no sound. Go back to your editor and check that the audio track is not muted. Look for an M or speaker icon next to the audio track name — if it is highlighted or crossed out, click it to unmute. Also check your export settings to make sure audio is enabled before you export again.

The music is too loud or too quiet. Adjust the volume slider on the audio track and preview again. Remember that different devices and speakers play sound at different levels — what sounds right on your computer might sound different on a phone or TV. Test your exported video on at least one other device before you consider it final.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any music I find online?

No — most music is copyrighted, and using it without permission can get your video removed or flagged. Use music labeled as Creative Commons (check the license to see if you need to credit the artist), royalty-free music from sites like Pixabay or Freepik, or music you created yourself. If you are uploading to YouTube, check their Audio Library for free music you can use without worrying about copyright.

What if my music is longer than my video?

Trim the audio by dragging the right edge of the audio bar on the timeline to match where your video ends. If you want to keep the full song, you can extend your video by adding more footage, or you can let the audio continue past the video and fade it out before the end.

Can I add multiple music tracks at the same time?

Yes — import each audio file onto a separate track below your video. Adjust the volume of each track so they blend together without one overpowering the others. This is useful for layering background music with sound effects or for transitioning from one song to another.

How do I make the music fade out at the end instead of stopping suddenly?

Click and drag the small triangle or handle at the top-right corner of the audio bar toward the left. This creates a fade-out curve. Drag it about one to two seconds from the end of the audio. The music will gradually get quieter until it disappears.

What audio format should I use if I am not sure?

MP3 is the safest choice — every video editor recognizes it, and it is small enough to email or upload quickly. WAV is also universal but creates larger files. If you have music in a different format, use Audacity to convert it to MP3 before importing it into your editor.