The basic steps work the same way across most video editors

To add a song to a video, you import both the video and audio file into your editor, place them on separate tracks, and adjust the timing so they line up. The exact steps depend on which editor you use — DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, or a phone app like CapCut — but the principle is identical: your editor stacks video and audio on top of each other, and you control when each one plays and how loud it is.

Most editors let you drag files directly into a project window, or use an Import button. Once both files are in, you'll see them as separate rows (called tracks) on a timeline. The video track sits above the audio track. You can then slide the audio left or right to change when it starts, trim it to fit your video length, and raise or lower its volume so it doesn't drown out any sound already in your video.

Key Takeaways

  • Import your video file and audio file into the same project, and they will appear as separate tracks on the timeline.
  • Drag the audio track left or right on the timeline to change when the song starts relative to your video.
  • Use the volume slider or audio mixer to lower the song's volume if your video already has sound you want to keep.
  • Most free editors (DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, CapCut) work the same way; paid editors like Premiere Pro add more control but follow the same basic workflow.
  • Before you publish, check that the song length matches your video length, or trim one to fit the other.

How to import files into your editor

Open your video editor and create a new project. Most editors ask you to choose a resolution and frame rate — if you're unsure, match the settings to your video file (you can usually check this by right-clicking the video and selecting Properties or Get Info). Then look for an Import, Add Media, or File menu option.

Click Import and navigate to your video file first. Select it and confirm. Then repeat the process for your audio file — the song you want to add. Both files should now appear in a media panel or library on the left or right side of your screen. Drag the video file onto the timeline (the horizontal strip at the bottom where clips appear). The video will land on the top track. Then drag the audio file onto the timeline below it. You now have both files in the same project.

Aligning the audio to start at the right moment

Once both files are on the timeline, you'll see them as rectangular blocks. The video block shows a preview of your footage; the audio block is usually just a colored bar with a waveform (a visual representation of the sound). By default, both files start at the same time — at the beginning of the timeline.

If you want the song to start partway through your video, click and drag the audio block to the right. If you want it to start before the video, drag it to the left. As you drag, you'll see numbers appear showing the exact time. Most editors also let you click on the audio block and type a start time directly into a properties panel. Play back your project (hit the spacebar or click Play) to hear how it sounds and see if the timing feels right.

Adjusting volume so audio doesn't clash

If your video already has sound — dialogue, ambient noise, or other audio — the song may be too loud and cover it up. Click on the audio track (the song) to select it. Look for a volume slider, usually shown as a horizontal line running through the middle of the audio block, or a Volume control in a properties panel on the right.

Drag the slider down to lower the song's volume. A good starting point is around 50 to 70 percent of full volume, but this depends on how loud your original video audio is and what you want the viewer to hear. Play back a section to test it. If you want to fade the song in or out — so it starts quiet and gets louder, or gets quieter and stops — most editors let you right-click the audio block and select Fade In or Fade Out. This creates a smooth transition instead of an abrupt start or stop.

Trimming the song to match your video length

If your song is longer than your video, you have two choices: trim the song to end when the video ends, or let it play past the end of the video (which means viewers will hear it after the video stops). To trim, hover your mouse over the right edge of the audio block on the timeline until a resize cursor appears (usually a double-headed arrow). Then drag the edge to the left to shorten the audio.

Alternatively, click on the audio block to select it, then look for a Duration or Length field in the properties panel and type in the exact length you want. If your song is shorter than your video and you want it to loop (play again from the start), most editors let you right-click the audio block and select Duplicate or Loop. This creates a copy of the audio block right after the first one, so the song plays twice in a row.

Exporting your video with the audio included

Once you're happy with the timing and volume, you need to export the project as a single video file. Look for an Export, Render, or Save As option in the File menu. Your editor will ask you to choose a format (MP4, MOV, and WebM are common) and a quality level. For most purposes, 1080p or 720p resolution at medium to high quality is fine.

The export process can take several minutes depending on your video length and your computer's speed. During this time, the editor is combining the video track and audio track into one file. Once it finishes, you'll have a single video file that contains both your original video and the song you added. You can now share it, upload it, or play it anywhere.

Common issues and how to fix them

The audio and video are out of sync. This usually means the audio file's frame rate doesn't match your project settings. Check your video file's properties and make sure your project is set to the same frame rate (typically 24, 30, or 60 fps). If they don't match, create a new project with the correct frame rate and re-import both files.

The song sounds distorted or too quiet. If the volume slider is all the way up and the audio still sounds weak, the original audio file may be low-quality or compressed. Try raising the volume in your editor's audio mixer (a separate panel that shows more detailed controls). If it sounds distorted even at lower volumes, the original file may be damaged — try a different copy of the song.

The editor crashes when I try to export. Large video files can cause memory issues. Try exporting at a lower resolution first (720p instead of 1080p), or close other programs to free up RAM. If the crash happens repeatedly, split your video into shorter segments, add the audio to each one separately, and then combine them after export.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add multiple songs to one video?

Yes. Import each song as a separate audio file and place them on the timeline one after another, or slightly overlapping if you want them to fade between each other. You can adjust the volume of each track independently so they blend smoothly.

What audio file formats do editors accept?

Most editors work with MP3, WAV, AAC, and FLAC files. If your song is in an unusual format and your editor won't import it, you can convert it using a free tool like Audacity or an online converter before adding it to your video.

Will adding a song to my video cause copyright problems if I share it online?

Yes, if the song is copyrighted and you don't own it or have permission. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram scan for copyrighted music and may mute the audio, block the video, or claim the revenue. Use royalty-free music from sites like Unsplash, Pixabay, or Epidemic Sound to avoid this.

Do I need to buy an expensive editor to add a song to a video?

No. Free editors like DaVinci Resolve (Windows and Mac), iMovie (Mac and iPhone), and CapCut (phone) all handle audio tracks well. Paid editors like Adobe Premiere Pro add more advanced features, but the basic task of adding a song works the same way in all of them.