How to Find Sounds on TikTok

The right audio can turn a simple video into a FYP masterpiece, but finding that perfect sound feels like hunting for a needle in a digital haystack. You know a trending sound when you hear one, but how do you find them before they've peaked? This guide breaks down every method for discovering sounds on TikTok, from scrolling your For You Page to using TikTok’s own analytics tools.

Your For You Page Is Your Best Friend

The single best place to find trending sounds is right where you’re already spending your time: the For You Page (FYP). This is a real-time feed of what the algorithm thinks is working right now. Every scroll is a research opportunity. Instead of passively watching, start paying active attention to the audio.

How to Spot and Save a Winning Sound

As you scroll your feed, listen for audio clips that you hear repeatedly across different videos and different creators. When a sound starts popping up more than once within a few minutes of scrolling, that’s your sign it’s starting to trend.

When you find one you like, here's what to do:

1. Tap on the spinning record icon at the bottom right of the screen (or the scrolling text with the sound name). This takes you to the audio’s main page.
2. Look at the top of the sound page. It will tell you how many videos have been made with that sound. A rising number (anything from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands) indicates it has momentum.
3. Tap the “Add to Favorites” button so you can easily find it later. It will be saved in a dedicated tab in your profile.

Spending just 15 minutes a day intentionally scouting for sounds on your FYP is one of the most effective ways to stay on top of daily trends. Don’t just watch TikTok, start listening to it.

Mastering TikTok's Built-In Sounds Library

If you're starting a video from scratch and need inspiration, TikTok’s own sounds library is your next stop. This is a curated collection of everything from chart-topping hits to viral audio clips. It's essentially your direct line to what TikTok wants you to use.

To get there, tap the + icon to open the camera and then tap “Add sound” at the top of the screen. Once you're inside, you’ll find several helpful sections.

The “Recommended” Section

This is the first tab you’ll see. The “Recommended” sounds are a mix of what’s currently viral and what the algorithm thinks would pair well with previous content you’ve created. It’s a great starting point if you have no idea what you’re looking for.

Playlists: TikTok's Curated Trend Lists

This is where the real value is. TikTok groups trending and popular sounds into organized playlists that are updated constantly. Look for playlists like:

• TikTok Viral: This is a collection of the biggest sounds on the platform right now. Think of it as TikTok’s version of the Billboard Hot 100.
• Trending: A more up-to-the-minute list of sounds that are currently gaining traction. This is where you might find a sound before it completely takes over.
• New Releases: Fresh tracks and sounds that TikTok is actively promoting. Hopping on one of these early can give you a boost.
• Theme Playlists: You’ll also find playlists organized by mood or theme, like "Vlog," "Comedy," "Cozy Gaming," or other niche categories, which is incredibly helpful for finding audio that matches the vibe of your video.

Using the Search Bar Effectively

If you have something specific in mind, the search bar is powerful. You don't just have to search for a song title or artist. You can search for dialogue, concepts, or moods.

• Try searching for generic keywords that match your video, like "work life," "morning routine," or "unboxing."
• You can also search for direct quotes from TV shows or movies you might recognize, like "I have to go to work tomorrow" or "welcome to the chill zone." You’ll often find viral audios that fit your video concept perfectly.

The TikTok Creative Center: The Pro-Level Move

Want to find sounds that are about to blow up? The TikTok Creative Center is an official resource that gives you direct access to audio trend data. It’s built for advertisers and marketers, but any creator can use it for free to get an edge.

How to Access and Use the Creative Center's Audio Data

1. Go to your web browser and search for the "TikTok Creative Center."
2. Once on the site, navigate to the “Trend Intelligence” section and find the audio or songs charts.
3. You can filter songs by region (incredibly useful for localized content) and by time frame (last 7, 30, or 120 days).

Look for songs with a little blue arrow flame icon next to them marked "Breakout." This tag indicates that a song is rapidly gaining popularity and ranking in the top 100 songs compared to the previous week. Using these sounds gives you the best chance of catching a trend on its way up, not on its way down.

Reverse-Engineer Trends from Other Platforms

Social media trends are no longer contained to a single app. A sound you hear on Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts almost certainly started on TikTok or is trending there simultaneously. When you find audio you like on another platform, your first move should be to search for it on TikTok.

If the song title isn't listed, you can often use an app like Shazam to identify it. Once you have the name, search for it in the TikTok sounds library. Using it on TikTok gives you access to the community and context around the trend, allowing you to participate more effectively than just using the audio alone.

For Brands and Businesses: Use the Commercial Music Library

This is one of the most important things to get right if you're a business, brand, or creator monetizing your content. While personal accounts have access to a massive library of popular music, business accounts do not have the legal rights to use most of that music in promotional content.

To avoid potential copyright issues, you need to use sounds from the TikTok Commercial Music Library. This is a collection of over a million royalty-free tracks that have been pre-cleared for commercial use. You won't find the latest Drake song, but you'll have peace of mind knowing you're not breaking any rules.

Where to Find the Commercial Music Library

As a Business Account, when you tap “Add sound,” you'll automatically see the Commercial Music Library instead of the general library. While it might seem limiting at first, you can find audio for almost any purpose. Plus, you can still participate in trends that use spoken dialogue or original sound effects, as these are typically fair game. When in doubt, stick to the Commercial Music Library.

Best Practices for Using Sounds for Growth

Finding a sound is only half the battle. How you use it matters just as much. Here are a few final tips to make your chosen sounds work for you.

• Act Fast: Trends move quickly. A sound that’s hot today could be old news by next week. When you find one you want to use, try to create and post your video within a day or two.
• Adapt, Don't Just Copy: The most successful videos take a trend and adapt it to their own niche or personality. Think about how the sound can tell a story that's unique to you, your brand, or your expertise.
• The Vibe Matters: Make sure the energy of the sound matches the energy of your video. A mellow, lo-fi track is perfect for a comforting "how-to" video, while an intense, high-energy sound works better for a dramatic before-and-after reveal.
• Understand the Context: Before jumping on a sound, tap into its audio page and watch a few of the top videos. This helps you understand the established format of the trend so you can participate in a way that feels natural and relevant to a viewer.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right sound on TikTok is a skill you can develop with practice. By scrolling the FYP intentionally, exploring the Sounds Library, keeping an eye on the Creative Center, and understanding the source of popular audio, you can stay ahead of the curve and connect with your audience in a language they already understand.

Putting these tips into practice means staying organized, especially when you're managing multiple content ideas. We built Postbase with a visual calendar that makes it incredibly simple to pair video ideas with the sounds you’ve saved. Planning content in one central feed helps us see our entire strategy at a glance, so we can consistently line up our next viral video without getting lost in notes or spreadsheets.