Can I add music to a video without removing the original sound?

Yes. Most editors, including Videozify, let you mix music with the original audio. You can adjust the music volume so it sits under the voice or sounds. If you want to remove the original sound, choose the replace option instead.

How do I make music quieter than speech in my video?

Set the music track’s volume to about -18 to -24 dB below the main voice. In most editors, this means lowering the music to 10–20% of its original volume. Always preview to make sure speech is clear and the music doesn’t overpower.

What music formats can I use?

MP3, WAV, M4A, and AAC all work in most editors and in Videozify. For best results and smallest file size, use MP3 or AAC. WAV is uncompressed and much larger, but works if you need the highest quality.

Will adding music make my video much bigger?

No. Adding a 3-minute MP3 at 128 kbps increases file size by about 3 MB. Unless you use uncompressed WAV or very long tracks, the size difference is small compared to the video itself.

Can I add music to a video on my phone?

Yes. On iPhone, use iMovie (free) for full control. On Android, some gallery apps have a music option, but many require a separate editor. Or use Videozify in your mobile browser for a free, no-install option.

Is it legal to use any song as background music?

No. Only use music you own, have licensed, or that’s marked as royalty-free. Using commercial songs without permission can lead to copyright issues, muted videos, or takedowns—especially on social media.

How can I make the music fade in and out?

Most editors, including Videozify, let you add fade-in and fade-out to your music track. Usually, you can set fade duration (1–3 seconds is common) to avoid sudden starts or stops in the audio.

Guide

How to add music to a video

By Mohamed Laghbar · Updated 10 October 2026

To add music to a video, use a tool like Videozify’s Add Music to Video. Drop your video and audio files in, then mix, trim, or loop the music to fit. You can fade in or out, match length, and set the music level under speech—usually about -18 to -24 dB below the voice. Download the finished video. Built-in editors like Clipchamp (Windows), iMovie (Mac), and some mobile apps can do this too.

Need background music or a new soundtrack? Use the Add music to video tool—directly in your browser, no upload or signup needed. Mix, loop, or replace audio and control volume and fades.

How to add music to a video with Videozify

Open the Add music to video tool in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
Drop your video file onto the main area, or tap to pick it from your device.
Drop your music or audio track (MP3, WAV, M4A, etc.) onto the second box.
Choose whether to mix the music with the original audio, replace it, or duck (lower) the music under speech.
Set the music volume—background music is usually 18–24 dB quieter than the main voice track.
Trim or loop your music to match the video’s length as needed. Add fade in/out for a smooth start and end.
Click Process, wait for it to finish, then download your new video with music.

Open the Add music to video →

Mix, replace, or duck: Choosing how music fits your video

When adding music to a video, you have three main options: mixing, replacing, or ducking. Mixing means the music plays along with the original audio—good for background tracks under voice or sounds. Replacing swaps out the original audio entirely, useful if you want only the new music, for example in a slideshow.

Ducking means the music automatically lowers in volume when someone is speaking. This keeps dialogue clear while music fills the gaps. Ducking is common in podcasts, vlogs, and interviews. Most people mix music as background (set about -18 to -24 dB below speech), but if you want the music to stand out, you can bring it up closer to -12 dB. If the original video has no important audio, replacing is simplest.

Setting music volume: How loud should background music be?

The biggest mistake with background music is making it too loud, which drowns out voices. For speech, music should sit 18 to 24 decibels below the main voice. In practical terms, if your voice peaks at -6 dB, set music to around -24 to -18 dB. This keeps the message clear but lets the music add mood or energy.

If you don’t have a dB meter, start with the music at about 10% to 20% of its original volume, then adjust up or down by ear. Always preview with headphones and speakers—music that sounds right on one device may overpower on another. For videos without voice (montages, slideshows), you can let music run higher, but still avoid clipping or distortion.

Looping, trimming, and fading: Matching music to video length

Music and video rarely match lengths exactly. If your music is shorter than the video, you can loop it—repeat the track until the video ends. If the music is longer, trim it to fit or fade it out at the end. Fading in the music at the start and fading out at the end avoids abrupt jumps, making the transition sound natural.

Most editors, including Videozify, let you trim or loop music easily. For example, if your video is 2 minutes but your song is 1 minute, loop the song twice. If your music is 3 minutes but your video is 90 seconds, trim and add a fade-out at 1:30. Fades of 1–3 seconds are usually enough. Always listen to the start and end before exporting.

Licensing: Only use music you own or is royalty-free

Don’t add commercial music to your videos unless you have the rights. Using copyrighted songs without permission can get your video muted, blocked, or taken down on social platforms. For personal use, you’re still safest with music you own or from a royalty-free library.

Good sources include the video platforms Audio Library, Free Music Archive, or sites like Pixabay Music and Incompetech. Always check the license—some tracks need attribution or have restrictions. If you hire a composer or buy a license, keep the proof. For business or public videos, avoid anything unclear.

How to add music to a video on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android

Windows: Windows 11 and 10 include Clipchamp (Start menu > Clipchamp). Import your video, drag it to the timeline, then drag your music file below it. Adjust the music volume by clicking the track and moving the volume slider. You can trim, loop, and fade music. Export the video when done. Older Windows versions don’t include an editor—try Videozify or a third-party app.

Mac: Use iMovie (pre-installed). Create a new project, add your video, then drag your music file to the timeline below. Adjust music volume with the slider. Right-click to add fade handles for smooth transitions. iMovie supports ducking (lowering music under voice) by checking the 'Lower volume of other clips' option. Export when satisfied.

iPhone: The built-in Photos app can add music only in 'Memories' slideshows, not regular videos. For custom editing, use iMovie (free in App Store). Open a new project, add your video, then tap the plus button to add music. Adjust volume and fade as needed. Export to your camera roll.

Android: Most default gallery apps let you trim or mute video, but adding music usually needs a video editor app. Samsung’s Gallery app has a 'Background music' option in the video editor. Otherwise, use a free editor from the Play Store or Videozify in your browser.

Troubleshooting: Common issues when adding music to video

Music drowns out speech: Lower the music volume—aim for -18 to -24 dB under the voice. If you can’t hear dialogue, try ducking or muting music during speech sections.

Music too short: Loop the music track. Most editors offer a repeat option. If the loop is obvious, try crossfading or using a longer piece.

Music too loud at start or end: Add a fade-in (1–2 seconds) and fade-out (2–3 seconds). This prevents sudden jumps in volume.

Video won’t export: Check that both video and music files are supported (MP4 for video, MP3, WAV, or M4A for audio are safest). If a file is corrupt, try re-saving or converting it first.

Quality and file size: What to expect after adding music

Adding background music barely increases video file size. A 3-minute MP3 at 128 kbps is only about 3 MB. For a typical 1080p MP4 video (100–200 MB for 3–5 minutes), the added music is a rounding error. If you use uncompressed WAV music, size can jump by 30–50 MB per minute, so stick with compressed formats for web sharing.

Export at the same video quality as your original. Re-encoding at a much lower bitrate can make both video and audio sound worse. For web, 1080p at 4–8 Mbps H.264 is standard; for social media, 720p at 2–4 Mbps is often enough. If you hear distortion after export, lower the audio volume or check your music file for clipping.

Tips for a professional result

Preview your video on multiple devices—music that sounds balanced on headphones may be too loud or quiet on phone speakers. Use fades at the start and end unless you want an abrupt cut. If your video is mostly talking, keep background music subtle. For montages or slideshows, you can let the music lead.

For longer videos, consider using several music tracks and crossfading between them. This avoids repetition and helps match the mood to each section. If you’re making a highlight reel or social clip, short, energetic music works best. For interviews or tutorials, ambient or instrumental tracks are less distracting.

Summary: Fastest ways to add music to video

For most people, a browser tool like Videozify is fastest—no install, no account, and files stay on your device. If you have a Mac or recent Windows PC, iMovie or Clipchamp are solid options and support fades, looping, and volume control.

On phones, iMovie (iOS) and some Android gallery editors work for basic editing. For more control, use a browser tool or a third-party app. Always use licensed or royalty-free music, set volume carefully, and preview before sharing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add music to a video without removing the original sound?: Yes. Most editors, including Videozify, let you mix music with the original audio. You can adjust the music volume so it sits under the voice or sounds. If you want to remove the original sound, choose the replace option instead.
How do I make music quieter than speech in my video?: Set the music track’s volume to about -18 to -24 dB below the main voice. In most editors, this means lowering the music to 10–20% of its original volume. Always preview to make sure speech is clear and the music doesn’t overpower.
What music formats can I use?: MP3, WAV, M4A, and AAC all work in most editors and in Videozify. For best results and smallest file size, use MP3 or AAC. WAV is uncompressed and much larger, but works if you need the highest quality.
Will adding music make my video much bigger?: No. Adding a 3-minute MP3 at 128 kbps increases file size by about 3 MB. Unless you use uncompressed WAV or very long tracks, the size difference is small compared to the video itself.
Can I add music to a video on my phone?: Yes. On iPhone, use iMovie (free) for full control. On Android, some gallery apps have a music option, but many require a separate editor. Or use Videozify in your mobile browser for a free, no-install option.
Is it legal to use any song as background music?: No. Only use music you own, have licensed, or that’s marked as royalty-free. Using commercial songs without permission can lead to copyright issues, muted videos, or takedowns—especially on social media.
How can I make the music fade in and out?: Most editors, including Videozify, let you add fade-in and fade-out to your music track. Usually, you can set fade duration (1–3 seconds is common) to avoid sudden starts or stops in the audio.