🎵 Creator's Nightmare Solved
You've spent hours editing the perfect video, only to have it flagged for a copyright strike because of the background music. It's a creator's worst nightmare. This guide is your definitive solution to find great copyright-free music safely and legally for your YouTube videos.
100% Safe Music
Avoid copyright strikes and claims
Completely Free
No subscription or licensing fees
High Quality
Professional-grade audio tracks
Monetization Safe
Use in monetized videos without issues
Quick Answer: The Safest Way to Find Free Music on YouTube
Official YouTube Audio Library
The safest and easiest way to find copyright-free music is by using the official YouTube Audio Library. It contains thousands of high-quality tracks and sound effects that are 100% free to use in your monetized videos. For more variety, you can search for Creative Commons music on YouTube, but you must check the attribution rules.
Understanding YouTube Music Copyright in 2 Minutes
🎓 Essential Knowledge for Creators
Copyright-Free
Music with no copyright restrictions. You can use it freely without attribution or payment.
Royalty-Free
You pay once (or get for free) and can use it multiple times without ongoing royalties.
Creative Commons
Free to use with specific conditions, often requiring attribution to the creator.
🚨 Understanding YouTube Penalties
Content ID Claim
Ad revenue goes to copyright holder. Video stays up but you lose monetization.
Copyright Strike
Formal penalty against your channel. Three strikes = channel termination.
Method 1: The YouTube Audio Library (Your Safest Bet)
YouTube Audio Library
Official, safe, and completely free music library
The YouTube Audio Library is your safest bet for finding high-quality, copyright-free music. Every track is cleared for use in monetized videos with no risk of claims or strikes.
📋 How to Access the YouTube Audio Library
Open YouTube Studio
Go to studio.youtube.com and log into your YouTube account
Navigate to Audio Library
Click Content → Audio Library in the left sidebar
Browse or Search
Use filters for Genre, Mood, Duration, and Attribution requirements
Download Track
Click the download arrow next to your chosen track
Add Attribution (If Required)
Copy the attribution text to your video description if needed
💡 Pro Tips for Finding the Perfect Track
🎭 Use Mood Filters
Filter by mood like "Happy," "Dramatic," or "Calm" to match your video's tone
⏱️ Check Duration
Use duration filters to find tracks that match your video length
🏷️ Attribution Aware
Look for "Attribution not required" tracks for the simplest usage
Method 2: Finding Creative Commons Music on YouTube
Creative Commons Search
Broader selection with attribution requirements
YouTube's Creative Commons filter helps you find music that creators have made available for reuse. However, this requires more careful verification and usually requires attribution.
📋 Using YouTube's Creative Commons Search
Search for Music
Search for terms like "background music," "royalty free," or your desired genre
Apply Creative Commons Filter
Click Filters → Features → Creative Commons
Verify the License
Check the video description for official license terms and attribution requirements
Download Using Third-Party Tools
Use YouTube downloaders to extract the audio (check our YouTube music downloader guide)
Critical Warning
The Creative Commons filter is not foolproof. Always manually verify the license in the video description before using any track. Some videos may be incorrectly tagged.
The 5 Best YouTube Channels for Copyright-Free Music
🎼 Trusted Sources for Creator Music
These channels consistently provide high-quality, copyright-free music for content creators
NoCopyrightSounds (NCS)
Electronic & Gaming Music
The go-to channel for electronic, dubstep, and gaming music. All tracks are completely free to use with attribution.
Best For:
- Gaming videos and live streams
- High-energy content
- Electronic music lovers
- Workout and sports videos
🏷️ Attribution Required
Song title, artist name, and NCS link in description
Vlog No Copyright Music
Upbeat Vlog Music
Specializes in upbeat, positive background music perfect for vlogs, travel videos, and lifestyle content.
Best For:
- Vlogs and lifestyle content
- Travel videos
- Positive, upbeat content
- Background music
🏷️ Attribution Policy
Check individual video descriptions for specific requirements
Audio Library
Multi-Genre Collection
A massive collection with a wide variety of genres, from cinematic to acoustic, perfect for any type of content.
Best For:
- Any genre preference
- Cinematic content
- Background music
- Professional videos
🏷️ Attribution Required
Full attribution text provided in each video description
StreamBeats by Harris Heller
Stream-Safe Music
Specifically created for Twitch streamers and content creators, with lo-fi, electronic, and ambient tracks.
Best For:
- Live streaming
- Gaming content
- Study/work videos
- Lo-fi and chill content
🏷️ No Attribution Required
Completely free to use without any attribution needed
Incompetech
Kevin MacLeod Collection
A classic resource by composer Kevin MacLeod, with thousands of tracks across all genres. The original creator music library.
Best For:
- Any content type
- Classical and orchestral
- Instrumental music
- Professional productions
🏷️ Attribution Required
Artist name and license info required in description
How to Check if a Song on YouTube is Copyrighted
🔍 Before You Use Any Track
Always verify the copyright status to protect your channel from strikes and claims
1. Check the Video Description
Look for license information, "Music by..." sections, or copyright notices. Legitimate copyright-free tracks will clearly state their usage terms.
What to Look For:
- Creative Commons license links
- "Free to use" or "No copyright" statements
- Attribution requirements
- Commercial use permissions
2. Look for "Music in this video" Section
YouTube often auto-identifies licensed songs and displays them below the video. If you see this section, proceed with caution.
Red Flags:
- Major label artists listed
- Well-known commercial songs
- Multiple copyright holders shown
- Publishing company names
3. The Private Upload Test
Upload your edited video as "Private" or "Unlisted" first to see if it triggers an automated Content ID claim before you publish it publicly.
Testing Process:
- Create a short test video with the music
- Upload as private/unlisted
- Wait 30 minutes for Content ID scan
- Check for claims in YouTube Studio
Screen Recording Your Music Selection Process
For content creators who want to document their music selection process or create tutorials about finding copyright-free music, professional screen recording tools can capture high-quality footage of browsing the YouTube Audio Library or other music sources. This is particularly useful when creating educational content about safe music practices.
Content Creation Best Practices
Once you’ve found the perfect copyright-free music, you might want to create engaging content that showcases your music selection. Consider using professional video recording tools to capture high-quality footage that complements your chosen soundtrack. For post-production, check out our guide on video editing software to create polished content that makes the most of your copyright-free music choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I use 10 seconds of a copyrighted song?
There is no "safe" amount when it comes to copyrighted music. Using even a few seconds of a copyrighted song without permission can result in a Content ID claim or a copyright strike. Fair use is a complex legal doctrine and rarely applies to using music in the background of a standard video. According to U.S. Copyright Office guidelines, fair use determinations are made on a case-by-case basis.
Can I use music from the YouTube Audio Library for commercial purposes?
Yes, all tracks in the YouTube Audio Library are cleared for use in monetized YouTube videos, which is considered a commercial use on the platform. You can also use these tracks for other commercial projects, but always check the specific license terms for each track to be sure.
How do I properly attribute Creative Commons music?
You must copy the full attribution text provided by the creator in their video description and paste it into your own video's description. It usually includes the song title, artist name, a link to the original track, and a link to the license. Never modify or shorten the attribution text.
Is royalty-free music the same as copyright-free music?
No, they're different. Royalty-free means you don't pay ongoing royalties, but the music is still copyrighted and may require a license purchase. Copyright-free (or public domain) music has no copyright restrictions at all. Always read the license terms carefully.
Can I modify copyright-free music for my videos?
Generally yes, but it depends on the specific license. Most copyright-free and Creative Commons music allows modifications, but some Creative Commons licenses require you to use the "NoDerivatives" designation if modifications aren't allowed. Always check the license terms before editing tracks.
Advanced Music Sourcing Strategies
🎯 Pro Tips for Finding Unique Music
Layer Multiple Tracks
Combine ambient sounds with music tracks from the Audio Library to create unique soundscapes for your content.
Create Playlists
Build themed playlists in YouTube Studio to quickly access music for different types of content (vlogs, tutorials, etc.).
Track Performance
Monitor which videos with certain music tracks perform better to build a library of "winning" background music.
Test Audio Levels
Always test your music at different volume levels to ensure it doesn't overpower your voice or important audio.
Conclusion: Create with Confidence
🏆 Your Path to Safe Music Usage
Build your content library without fear of copyright issues
100% Peace of Mind
Always start with the YouTube Audio Library for guaranteed safe, high-quality music that won't cause any copyright issues with your monetized content.
More Variety
Explore the curated channels above for more music options, but always double-check the license and attribution rules in each video description.
Always Verify
Use the private upload test and verify license information before using any music in your published videos to avoid surprises.
💡 Quick Decision Guide
Create Fearlessly
With these resources and verification methods, you can confidently add amazing music to your videos without worrying about copyright strikes or claims. Remember: when in doubt, stick with the YouTube Audio Library or reach out to the music creator directly for permission.
The content creation landscape continues to evolve, with Statista reporting that over 500 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. With proper music selection, your content can stand out while staying completely compliant with copyright regulations.
