How to Add Music to YouTube Shorts

Adding the right music to a YouTube Short can be the difference between a video that gets a few dozen views and one that skyrockets to thousands. It's the hook, the mood-setter, and the engine behind countless viral trends. This guide breaks down exactly how to add music to your Shorts, whether you're using YouTube's built-in library or bringing in your own custom audio, all while staying on the right side of copyright rules.

Why Music Is Non-Negotiable for YouTube Shorts

Before jumping into the "how," it helps to understand the "why." Music isn't just background noise in short-form video, it’s a core component of the viewing experience. Great audio choices grab viewers within the first three seconds, tell a story without words, and create an emotional connection that static visuals alone can't achieve.

Tapping into trending sounds gives your content an immediate advantage by placing it in a larger, ongoing conversation. When someone hears a familiar audio clip, they're more likely to stop scrolling and see your take on the trend. This creates a powerful signal for the YouTube algorithm, boosting your content's reach and discoverability far beyond your existing subscriber base.

Method 1: Using the Built-In YouTube Audio Library (The Easy & Safe Way)

For most creators, the most straightforward way to add music is by using the library provided directly within the YouTube app. The selection is massive, all the tracks are pre-cleared for use on the platform, and you don’t have to worry about copyright strikes. This is the recommended starting point for anyone new to Shorts.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Music Natively

Follow these simple steps to add popular, trending, or mood-fitting music directly to an in-the-moment recording or a pre-recorded clip from your camera roll.

1. Start a New Short

Open the YouTube app on your phone. Tap the plus sign (+) at the bottom center of your screen. From the menu that appears, select "Create a Short."

2. Record or Upload Your Video

You now have two options:

• Record a new clip: Use the red record button to capture new footage. You can record a single clip or multiple segments by tapping the button to start and stop.
• Upload an existing video: Tap the small square icon in the bottom-left corner to access your phone's camera roll. Select any vertical video that is 60 seconds or less.

3. Access the Audio Library

Once you have your video ready in the editor, look at the top of the screen and you'll see an "Add sound" option with a music note icon. Tap this to open up YouTube’s audio library.

Inside, you'll find:

• A "For You" page with recommended tracks based on your viewing history and what's currently popular.
• A search bar to look for specific artists or song titles.
• Playlists curated by genre, mood, or what’s hitting the Top Shorts charts.

4. Select and Adjust Your Music

Preview any track by tapping the play button next to it. Once you find one you like, tap the track's name or the blue arrow to add it to your video.

Now, you need to sync it perfectly. On the main editing screen, tap the "Adjust" button (it sometimes appears as a sound wave icon). Here you can:

• Scrub the track: A waveform of the song will appear. Drag it left or right to select the exact 15- or 60-second snippet you want to use. This is perfect for timing a lyric or beat drop right when something exciting happens in your video.

5. Mix the Volume Levels

If your original video had audio you want to keep (like someone talking), you need to balance it with the music. After you’ve added your sound, tap on the "Volume" icon in the right-hand menu. This brings up two sliders:

• Original sound: The audio from your original video clip.
• Music: The track you just added.

Adjust these sliders to find the right mix. For example, if you're doing a voiceover, you might want the original sound at 100% and the music at a lower level, like 10-20%, to serve as a subtle background. If the video is purely visual, turn the original sound down to 0%.

6. Finish and Publish

Add any text, filters, or effects you'd like. Once you're happy with your creation, tap "Next," write a compelling title with relevant hashtags (like #shorts and others related to your topic), and then tap "Upload Short." Your video will now be live with a perfectly legal, attention-grabbing soundtrack.

Method 2: Using Custom Music and External Editing Apps

While the YouTube Music Library is fantastic, sometimes you need more creative control. You might want to use custom sound effects, original compositions, or a specific track from a licensed music service. This method involves editing your video before you upload it to YouTube.

First, a Serious Note on Copyright

This is extremely important. If you upload a Short containing music you don't have the rights to, you risk serious consequences.

• Video Takedown: YouTube’s Content ID system is incredibly effective at identifying copyrighted audio. If it finds a match, your video could be muted, have its monetization claimed by the rights holder, or be taken down entirely.
• Channel Strike: Repeat copyright violations will lead to a strike against your channel. Three strikes, and your channel could be permanently terminated.

Where to Find "Safe" Music for Your Shorts:

To avoid these headaches, source your audio from one of the following places:

• Subscription Services: Services like Epidemic Sound and Artlist.io offer vast libraries of high-quality, royalty-free music and sound effects. You pay a monthly or annual fee for a license to use their entire catalog in your content without worry.
• Royalty-Free Music Websites: Sites like Pixabay Music and the YouTube Audio Library website (accessible on desktop) offer tracks that are free to use, often with attribution. Always check the specific license for each track before using it.
• Create Your Own: If you're a musician, using your own music is the safest and most unique option available.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using External Audio

1. Choose Your Video Editor

You can do this on your phone or your computer.

• Mobile Apps: CapCut and InShot are popular, powerful, and easy-to-use free options.
• Desktop Software: DaVinci Resolve (which has an excellent free version), Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro offer the most flexibility for professional creators.

2. Prepare Your Project

Start a new project in your editor of choice. The first thing you need to do is set the aspect ratio to 9:16, the vertical format for Shorts. Make sure the total length of your project timeline doesn’t exceed 60 seconds.

3. Import and Edit Your Media

Import both your video clips and the "safe" audio track you downloaded into the editor. Place them on the timeline. This is where you have full control. You can:

• Sync Perfectly: Cut your video clips to match the beat drops, crescendos, or emotional shifts in the music.
• Layer Audio: Mix the background music with sound effects (like a "whoosh" for a fast transition or a "ding" for an a-ha moment) and your original audio (like narration).
• Fine-Tune Volume: Use keyframing to make the music louder during visual-only parts and softer when someone is speaking.

4. Export Your Final Video

Once you are satisfied with your edit, export the final video. A standard MP4 file in 1080p resolution is perfect for YouTube Shorts. Make sure the final file is saved to your phone's camera roll.

5. Upload to YouTube Shorts

Now, open the YouTube app and follow the same steps as before (tap +, "Create a Short," etc.). But this time, you’ll be uploading your fully-edited video. The video will already have your custom music baked in, so you won't need to use the "Add sound" feature.

Even though your video has its own audio, YouTube may show trending audio with the same name if it recognizes the song title in your description or from the music company reporting it. This can sometimes give your video extra visibility. Just don't ever add sound on top of a video that already has a full audio track unless you plan to mute the original to 0%.

Power Tips for Making Your Shorts Stand Out

• Find and Use Trending Audio: When you're scrolling through Shorts, pay attention. If you hear the same audio clip multiple times, that's a trending sound. Tap on the sound/music name in the bottom right corner of the Short. This will take you to a page with all the Shorts using that audio. You’ll see a big red "Use this sound" button at the bottom - tap it to immediately start creating your own Short with that trending track.
• Prioritize the First Three Seconds: Hook viewers instantly. Don’t start with a slow introduction, sync the most energetic part of your chosen music with the most eye-catching part of your video right at the beginning.
• Be a Trendsetter with Original Sound: Don't be afraid to upload videos where your original dialogue, music, or a funny sound effect is the main audio source. If people like it, they can then use your original audio in their own Shorts, which gives you valuable credit and can drive huge traffic back to your channel.

Final Thoughts

Adding music is a fundamental skill for creating successful YouTube Shorts. The built-in YouTube Audio Library offers an easy, risk-free way to tap into a massive catalog of licensed hits and trending sounds. For those seeking more creative control, using external software opens up a world of custom editing, but it also carries the responsibility of properly licensing any music you use.

At our core, we believe that creating great short-form video in 2024 shouldn't be so complicated. Managing content across multiple platforms like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Reels can get messy fast, throwing your entire content strategy into disarray. That’s why we built Postbase to streamline that entire process. With it, you can visually plan your Shorts alongside all your other content, schedule everything from one clean calendar, and analyze what’s actually working so you know which audio trends are driving real growth.