Are you looking to add music to video in CapCut but don’t know where to begin? Whether you’re a casual user creating travel vlogs, a content creator making TikTok reels, or a marketer producing branded videos, the right music can transform your content.
In this in-depth tutorial, we’ll cover everything you need to know about adding music to your videos using CapCut—including step-by-step instructions, pro editing tips, music sources, copyright rules, and advanced audio techniques. Let’s dive in.
Why Add Music to Video in Capcut?
Before we get into the technical steps, it’s worth understanding why music is so essential in video editing:
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Triggers emotion: Music influences how viewers feel.
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Enhances storytelling: Background music can highlight key moments.
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Boosts engagement: Well-edited sound improves watch time and retention.
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Makes your brand stand out: Audio identity matters in personal branding.
CapCut gives you the tools to achieve all this—directly from your phone.
What Is CapCut and Why Use It?
CapCut is a free, full-featured video editor for mobile devices created by ByteDance (the parent company of TikTok). It supports:
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Multi-layer editing
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Keyframe animation
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Advanced transitions
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Text and effects
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Most importantly—audio editing tools for music, voiceovers, and sound effects
Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate editor, CapCut is one of the best apps to add music to video effortlessly.
How to Add Music to Video in CapCut – Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s walk through the complete process of adding background music to a video in CapCut:
Open CapCut and Start a New Project
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Open the CapCut app on your phone or tablet.
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Tap “New Project” on the home screen.
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Select the video clips you want to edit from your gallery.
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Tap “Add” to load your clips into the timeline.
Tap on “Audio” in the Bottom Menu
With your video on the timeline:
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Scroll through the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
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Tap “Audio.”
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Here, you’ll see four main options:
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Sounds
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Your Sounds
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Extracted
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Voiceover
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Each option gives you a different way to import or record music.
Choose Your Music Source
Let’s explore each audio source in detail:
Use CapCut’s Built-in Music Library
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Tap “Sounds”
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Browse categories like “Happy,” “Cinematic,” “Vlog,” “Romantic,” or “Travel”
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Tap on a track to preview it
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Hit the “+” button to add it to your timeline
Best for: Fast editing with royalty-cleared music for social media.
Upload Music from Your Device
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Tap “Your Sounds”
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Choose “From Device”
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Browse for MP3 or WAV files stored on your phone
Best for: Using custom music or royalty-free tracks downloaded elsewhere.
Extract Audio from a Video
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Tap “Extracted”
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Select a video file from your device
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CapCut will automatically extract its audio and add it to your timeline
Best for: Reusing music from previous projects or downloaded videos.
Record a Voiceover
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Tap “Voiceover”
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Press and hold the red microphone button to record live narration
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CapCut adds your voice directly to the timeline
Best for: Tutorials, storytelling, educational content.
Edit and Customize the Music Track
Once your audio is added, tap on it to reveal more editing options:
Trim or Split Audio
Use the scissors tool to cut sections, split the music to sync with scenes, or remove unwanted parts.
Adjust Volume
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Tap the “Volume” button
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Balance music and voice levels
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Avoid overpowering dialogue with background music
Add Fade In/Fade Out
Smooth your transitions by adding:
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Fade In: Gently introduce music at the start
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Fade Out: Create a soft ending
Use Beat Markers
Use the Match Cut feature to detect beats and sync your cuts to music automatically.
Add More Audio Layers (Optional)
You can add multiple soundtracks to enrich your audio:
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Background music
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Sound effects (whooshes, ambient sounds)
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Narration or interviews
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Second music layer for transitions
Each track can be edited individually.
Export and Share Your Video
After editing your music:
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Tap Export (top-right corner)
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Choose output settings:
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Resolution: 1080p / 4K
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Frame rate: 30fps / 60fps
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Tap Export again
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Save to your gallery or share directly to TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or WhatsApp
Where to Find Free & Legal Music for Add Music to Video in Capcut
To avoid copyright issues, use royalty-free sources like:
Platform | License Type | Best For |
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YouTube Audio Library | Free for YouTube & social use | All genres |
Pixabay Music | Royalty-free | Background & cinematic music |
Bensound | Free with credit | Corporate & motivational themes |
Uppbeat | Free with attribution | Trending & upbeat tracks |
Artlist / Epidemic Sound | Subscription | High-quality commercial music |
Download the music, then upload via Your Sounds in CapCut.
Copyright Warning
CapCut offers built-in music that’s generally safe for TikTok and Instagram—but not always for YouTube monetization. To stay safe:
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Always check licensing terms
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Avoid using copyrighted pop songs without permission
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Use royalty-free platforms or original music
Pro Tips for Better add music to video in capcut
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Use noise reduction when recording voiceovers in noisy environments
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Combine ambient sounds with music for realism
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Adjust music timing to match scene transitions
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Use volume keyframes to raise or lower volume gradually
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to add music to a video in CapCut is one of the most important skills for any video creator today. The app offers a flexible, beginner-friendly way to mix music, voice, and effects for all types of content. With the right soundtrack, your videos will be more memorable, professional, and emotionally engaging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use copyrighted music in CapCut?
CapCut allows you to import any audio, but using copyrighted music without permission can result in your video being muted, taken down, or demonetized—especially on platforms like YouTube. Always use royalty-free music or music you have rights to use.
How do I add multiple audio tracks in CapCut?
Tap on “Audio” and add your first track. To layer more, repeat the process. CapCut supports multiple audio layers including music, sound effects, and voiceovers.
Why is the music too loud or quiet in my video?
You can adjust the volume of each audio clip by tapping the track, selecting “Volume,” and using the slider. Use keyframes for dynamic volume control.
Can I use CapCut on a PC?
Yes! CapCut now offers a desktop version with even more advanced audio and video editing features, available for Windows and macOS.