How to Add Music on TikTok: Step-by-Step Guide for Creators

Music on TikTok is the heartbeat of the platform. It fuels trends, sets the tone for storytelling, and plays a major role in how videos get discovered on the For You Page. The right sound can stop the scroll, boost watch time, and instantly connect your content to what’s trending right now. 

Learning how to add music on TikTok isn’t complicated, but using it strategically makes all the difference. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to add music directly in TikTok, upload and use your own audio, and streamline your social posting workflow with Metricool.

7 Steps to Add Music to Your TikTok Posts 

Adding music to a TikTok post is built into the creation flow, but knowing when and how to choose your sound can make the process much smoother. It also helps your posts become more effective. The steps below walk through how to add music on TikTok, from opening the app to optimizing your post for reach. 

Step 1: Open TikTok and Start a New Video 

Open the TikTok app and tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen to begin creating a post. From here, you can either record a new video directly in the app or upload an existing clip from your camera roll. 

Step 2: Tap “Add Sound” 

Before you start recording, tap “Add Sound” at the top of the screen. Selecting music at this stage allows you to film with the beat and tone in mind. This makes it easier to time transitions, text, or movements to the audio.

Step 3: Browse or Search TikTok’s Music Library 

TikTok’s music library includes trending sounds, genre-based playlists, and mood-driven categories. You can browse what’s popular or use the search bar to find specific songs, creators, or viral audio clips tied to current trends. 

Step 4: Preview and Select Your Sound 

Tap on any track to preview it before adding it to your video. When choosing a sound, consider the tempo, overall vibe, and whether the audio is currently trending. These factors can influence the engagement with your posts. 

Step 5: Trim and Adjust the Audio

Once a sound is selected, use the trim tool to choose the exact section of the audio clip you want to feature. This allows you to highlight the most recognizable or impactful part of the audio, such as a beat drop or lyric that viewers expect. Using the trim and adjust audio feature can also help improve watch time. 

Step 6: Record or Finalize Your Video

With your audio in place, you can record your video while the sound plays in the background, making it easier to stay in rhythm. Take a moment to preview everything together to ensure the visuals and audio feel natural and well-matched.

Step 7: Post and Optimize

After editing, add a clear caption, relevant hashtags, and adjust your visibility settings before posting. The music you choose can influence how your video is categorized and surfaced on TikTok, especially when using trending sounds. Pairing the right audio with thoughtful optimization increases the likelihood that your content will reach a wider audience.

How to Add Your Own Music to TikTok

TikTok doesn’t allow creators to upload external audio files directly to its music library, so original music must be added during recording or editing. Native sounds come from TikTok’s licensed library, while external audio must be embedded in the video before posting. 

The easiest option is to play your audio out loud while recording in TikTok, which works but can lower sound quality. For better results, use a video editing app like CapCut to add music before uploading. This method gives you more control over timing, volume, and overall audio quality, while still allowing your original sound to be shared and reused on TikTok.

Adding Music to Your TikTok Posts With Metricool 

Metricool helps simplify TikTok content planning, especially for creators and teams managing multiple accounts. With a TikTok business account, you can access TikTok’s top 100 trending tracks by country and genre. From there, you can add trending sounds directly to your posts, all without the pressure of posting in real time.

Music fits naturally into a metricool workflow by letting you attach trending audio to TikTok image and video posts. For videos, you can select the exact fragment of the song you want to use, making it easier to stay on trend while keeping creative control. Once your content is live, Metricool analytics help you see what’s working and make smarter music choices moving forward.

Best Practices for Choosing Music on TikTok 

Choosing music on TikTok is a lot like picking the right background soundtrack for a movie scene. It should enhance what’s happening on screen, not steal the spotlight. The right sound helps set the mood, supports your message, and makes your content feel intentional instead of random. A few smart choices can go a long way in improving engagement and reach. 

• Trending vs. evergreen sounds: Trending sounds can help boost discoverability, while evergreen audio works better for educational or long-lasting content. Choose based on what you want the post to accomplish.
• Match music to your content type: High-energy sounds work well for trends and transitions, while calmer music fits tutorials, storytelling, and voiceovers.
• Balance volume between voice and music: Keep music at a level that complements your voice or text rather than competing with it.
• Avoid overused or irrelevant sounds: If the audio doesn’t align with your content or feels forced, it can distract viewers rather than draw them in.

TikTok Music FAQs

Create, Schedule, and Grow on TikTok With Metricool 

Now that you know how to add music on TikTok, the next step is simplifying how you create and publish your content. Metricool helps you plan ahead, add trending music for business accounts, and manage your TikTok strategy without the last-minute scramble. 

If you’re ready to post more consistently and make data-backed decisions, it’s time to register for a Metricool account. From content planning to performance tracking, Metricool gives you the tools to grow your TikTok presence more efficiently, all in one place.