YouTube's built-in audio library is the fastest way to add music to a Short

When you upload a Short or film one directly in the YouTube app, you can add music before you publish. Tap the music icon (it looks like a musical note) while editing, and YouTube shows you thousands of songs organized by mood, genre, and length. These tracks are free to use and YouTube has already cleared the rights, so you won't get a copyright strike. You can trim the music to fit your video length, adjust the volume, and preview how it sounds with your footage.

The music library works the same way on desktop and mobile, though the mobile app is faster for this task. Search by song title, artist, or mood — "upbeat", "sad", "cinematic" — and listen to 10-second previews before you commit. Once you pick a track, YouTube shows you the artist and song name so you can credit them if you want to.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube's built-in music library offers thousands of free, copyright-cleared songs that you can add directly while editing your Short.
  • You can search by mood, genre, or song title, trim the music to match your video length, and adjust volume without leaving the editor.
  • If you want to use a song from outside YouTube's library, you must own the rights or have permission, or YouTube will mute the audio or claim the video.
  • Third-party editing apps like CapCut and Adobe Express let you add music before uploading to YouTube, giving you more control over timing and effects.
  • Music from streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music is copyrighted and will trigger YouTube's Content ID system, which may mute your video or give ad revenue to the rights holder.

How to add music from YouTube's library while editing

Open the YouTube app and start a new Short by tapping the camera icon at the bottom, or select an existing video from your phone. Film or upload your footage. Once you're in the editor, look for the music note icon — it's usually in the bottom toolbar next to effects and text.

Tap the music icon and browse by category (Trending, Chill, Energetic, Sad) or search for a specific song or artist. When you find a track you like, tap it to hear a preview. If it fits your Short, tap "Use this sound" or the checkmark. YouTube will add the music to your timeline, starting at the beginning of your video. You can then drag the music clip to start at a different point, trim it shorter, or lower the volume using the volume slider that appears when you select the audio track.

What happens if you use music you don't have rights to

If you upload a Short with copyrighted music that isn't in YouTube's library, YouTube's Content ID system will detect it within hours or days. The copyright holder then has three options: they can mute the audio, block the video in certain countries, or claim the video and take the ad revenue you would have earned. You won't lose your channel or face a strike for a first offense, but you also won't make money from that Short.

This applies to music from Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, TikTok sounds, and any other source where you don't own the rights. Even if a song is popular on social media, that doesn't mean you can use it on YouTube without permission. The safest approach is to stick with YouTube's library or use music labeled as Creative Commons zero (CC0), which means the creator has given up their copyright.

Using a third-party editor to add music before uploading

Apps like CapCut, Adobe Express, and iMovie let you add music, trim it, and adjust timing before you ever upload to YouTube. This approach gives you more control — you can layer multiple audio tracks, fade music in and out, and sync it precisely to your cuts. CapCut's music library includes thousands of free tracks, and Adobe Express pulls from Adobe Stock. Both apps let you read your finished Short as a video file, then upload it to YouTube as a regular Short.

The trade-off is that you're doing the editing work on your phone or computer instead of letting YouTube handle it. If you're making Shorts regularly or want more creative control over audio, this method saves time in the long run. If you're making one-off videos, YouTube's built-in editor is faster.

Finding and using Creative Commons music safely

Websites like Free Music Archive, Incompetech, and YouTube Audio Library (which is the same library built into the editor) host music that creators have released under Creative Commons licenses. CC0 music means the creator has waived all rights, so you can use it without asking permission or crediting them — though crediting them is still polite. CC-BY music requires you to credit the artist in your video description or as an on-screen text.

Before you read from any site, check the license tag. If it says CC0 or CC-BY, you're safe. If it says "All Rights Reserved" or doesn't mention a license, treat it as copyrighted. YouTube won't know the difference, but the copyright holder might file a claim later. Sticking with YouTube's own library removes this guesswork entirely.

Adjusting music volume and timing in YouTube's editor

Once you've added a track to your Short, tap it in the timeline to see the audio controls. You can drag the music clip left or right to change when it starts, or drag the edges inward to trim it shorter. The volume slider appears as a line across the audio waveform — drag it down to lower the volume or up to raise it. If your Short is 15 seconds and your song is 45 seconds, trim the music to fit or let it fade out naturally at the end.

You can also mute the original audio from your video (the sounds you recorded while filming) and keep only the music, or keep both and balance them. This is useful if you filmed with dialogue or ambient sound that you want to keep but make quieter. Preview your Short before publishing to make sure the music timing feels right.

Crediting the artist when you use music from YouTube's library

YouTube's library shows you the artist and song name when you select a track. You're not required to credit them — YouTube has already paid or licensed the music — but crediting them in your video description or as on-screen text is good practice and helps viewers find the artist. Many creators add a line like "Music: [Artist Name] - [Song Title]" in the description or pin a comment with the credit.

If you use music from a Creative Commons source outside YouTube, check the license to see if credit is required. CC0 music doesn't require it, but CC-BY does. Including the artist name and a link to where you found the music protects you if the creator ever questions where you got it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Those songs are copyrighted, and YouTube's Content ID will detect them. The copyright holder will likely claim your video and take any ad revenue, or mute the audio entirely. Use YouTube's built-in library instead, which has thousands of free, cleared tracks.

What if I film my Short with music playing in the background?

YouTube will detect the copyrighted music in your video's audio and explore the same rules — the video may be claimed or muted. If you want background music, add it in the editor using YouTube's library or a third-party app, then mute the original audio from your filming.

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

No, YouTube has already licensed the music. Crediting them is optional but appreciated. If you use Creative Commons music from other sites, check the license — CC0 doesn't require credit, but CC-BY does.

Can I edit the music after I publish my Short?

Yes. Go to your published Short, tap the three dots, select "Edit", and you can change the music, adjust volume, or trim it. The changes take effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes for YouTube to update the video across all devices.

What's the difference between CapCut and YouTube's built-in editor?

YouTube's editor is faster for straightforward Shorts — add music, trim, publish. CapCut gives you more control: multiple audio layers, precise timing, effects, and transitions. Use YouTube's editor for quick videos; use CapCut if you want to spend more time on the edit.