You can add music to Instagram posts, Reels, and Stories using Instagram's built-in music library
Instagram lets you attach a song to a photo carousel, a single image, or a video post through the music sticker feature. The music plays when someone views your post, and you can choose which part of the song plays and how long it runs. The process differs slightly depending on whether you're posting a photo, a video, or a Reel — and some music options are only available for Reels and Stories, not static image posts.
The music library Instagram provides is free to use. You won't pay to add a song, and your followers won't need to pay to hear it. The songs available come from a licensed catalog that Instagram maintains, which means the artists and rights holders have already been paid through Instagram's agreements.
Key Takeaways
- Music stickers work on Reels, Stories, and video posts, but most songs are not available for static image posts or carousels.
- You add music after you've created your post but before you share it — look for the music sticker or music icon in the editing screen.
- You can preview how the music sounds with your video, adjust which part of the song plays, and change the volume before posting.
- If a song you want is not available in your region or on your post type, try searching for a cover version or a remix of the same song.
How to add music to a Reel
Open Instagram and tap the plus icon at the bottom to create a new post. Select Reel from the options at the bottom of the screen. Record or upload your video, then tap Next at the bottom right. On the editing screen, you'll see a row of icons — tap the one that looks like a musical note or says Audio.
A music library will open showing trending songs, recently used songs, and a search bar at the top. Search for the song you want by title or artist name. When you find it, tap it once to preview how it sounds. Tap it again to add it to your Reel. You can now adjust which part of the song plays by dragging the slider, and you can lower the volume of the original video audio if you want the music to be louder. Tap Next and continue to the sharing screen.
How to add music to a Story
Open Instagram and swipe up from the bottom, or tap the plus icon and select Story. Take a photo or video, or upload one from your camera roll. On the editing screen, swipe up to see the sticker options. Tap Music — it appears as a musical note sticker. Search for your song by title or artist, tap it to preview, then tap it again to add it to your Story.
The music sticker will appear as a small icon on your Story. You can move it around, resize it, or change its appearance by tapping on it. The music plays for 15 seconds by default, but you can tap the sticker and adjust which part of the song plays and how long it runs. When you're ready, tap Your Story to post it.
How to add music to a video post or carousel
Create a new post and select Post from the options. Upload or record a video, or select multiple photos for a carousel. Tap Next. On the editing screen, look for an icon that says Audio, Music, or shows a musical note — the exact location depends on your phone's operating system, but it's usually in a row of editing tools.
Search for your song and tap it to add it. You can adjust which section of the song plays and control the volume of the original video audio versus the music. Keep in mind that most songs in Instagram's library are not available for static image posts or carousels — if you don't see the music option or your song doesn't appear, the song may not be licensed for that post type. Tap Next and continue to sharing.
Why some songs don't appear in your region or post type
Instagram's music library varies by country because music rights are sold by region. A song available in the United States might not be available in Canada or Australia, even though both countries use Instagram. Similarly, some artists or rights holders only allow their music on Reels and Stories, not on static posts, because Reels generate more engagement and visibility.
If a song you want doesn't show up, try searching for a cover version by a different artist, a remix, or an instrumental version — these sometimes have different licensing agreements and may be available for your post type. You can also search for songs by mood or genre instead of by specific title, which often surfaces similar songs that are available to you.
How to adjust music timing and volume
After you add a song to a Reel, Story, or video post, you'll see a slider showing the full length of the song. Drag the slider left or right to choose which part of the song plays — this is useful if you want to skip the intro or start at the chorus. The default length is usually 15 seconds for Stories and up to the full song length for Reels and posts, but you can shorten it by dragging the end point of the slider.
You can also adjust the volume balance between your original video audio and the music. Look for a volume icon or slider — usually labeled Original Audio or Music Volume — and drag it to make the music louder or quieter relative to any sound already in your video. Preview your post by tapping the play button before you share it to make sure the timing and volume sound right.
What to do if you can't find the music option
If you don't see a music icon or audio option on your editing screen, your app may be out of date. Open your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), search for Instagram, and tap Update if an update is available. Close Instagram completely and reopen it after updating.
If the music option still doesn't appear, you may be trying to add music to a post type that doesn't support it — for example, some older versions of Instagram don't allow music on carousel posts. Try creating a Reel instead, which always has music support. You can also try logging out and logging back in, or uninstalling and reinstalling the app if the problem persists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own music or a song from my phone instead of Instagram's library?
No. Instagram only allows music from its licensed library on posts you share publicly. You can use your own audio or music from your phone if you're creating a private message or a close friends story, but for regular posts and Reels, you must choose from Instagram's catalog. This protects artists and rights holders from unauthorized use.
Will I get in trouble for copyright if I use a song from Instagram's library?
No. Instagram has already licensed all the music in its library, so the artists and rights holders have been paid. You won't receive a copyright strike or takedown notice for using a song that Instagram provides. The licensing is built into the platform.
Can people hear the music if they mute their phone or turn off sound?
No. The music only plays if someone has their phone's volume on and hasn't muted Instagram. If they've muted the app or their device, they won't hear the music — but they'll still see your post and any captions or text you added.
What if the song I want keeps saying it's not available?
The song may not be licensed for your region, your post type, or both. Try searching for a cover version, a remix, or an instrumental version of the same song — these often have different rights agreements. You can also search by mood or genre to find similar songs that are available to you.
Does adding music affect how many people see my post?
No. Instagram's algorithm doesn't prioritize or penalize posts based on whether they have music. What matters is how people engage with your post — whether they like it, comment, or share it — not the music itself.