Add lyrics using TikTok's built-in lyrics tool

TikTok has a lyrics feature built into the app that lets you add text that syncs with the song playing in your video. When you film or upload a video with music, you can search for the song title, select the part you want to display, and the lyrics will appear on screen at the exact moment that part plays. The lyrics come from TikTok's database and are already timed to the music.

To use this feature, open the video editor after you've added music to your video. Look for the "Lyrics" button — it usually appears in the bottom toolbar alongside other text and effect options. Tap it, search for your song by title or artist, then scroll through the lyrics to find the section you want. TikTok will highlight which lyrics match which part of the song, so you can see exactly when they'll appear.

Not every song in TikTok's library has lyrics available. Newer songs, very old recordings, or independent releases sometimes don't have lyrics synced yet. If you search for a song and see no results, that song doesn't have lyrics in the system — you'll need to use a different method to add text.

Key Takeaways

  • TikTok's built-in lyrics feature syncs text to your music automatically and requires no manual timing on your part.
  • You access the lyrics tool from the video editor after adding music, then search by song title and select which section to display.
  • Not all songs have lyrics available in TikTok's database, particularly newer independent releases or older recordings.
  • If a song has no lyrics, you can manually add text using the text tool and time it yourself by watching the video play.
  • Lyrics appear as an overlay on your video and can be repositioned or restyled using TikTok's text formatting options.

Add lyrics manually using the text tool

If your song doesn't have lyrics in TikTok's database, you can type them in yourself using the standard text tool. Open the video editor, tap the text button, and type the lyrics you want to display. You'll then need to set the timing by tapping and dragging to choose which moment in the video the text appears and disappears.

Manual timing takes more work because you have to watch your video play and decide when each line should show up. Most creators do this by playing the video, pausing at key moments, and adding text for each section. You can add multiple text boxes to different parts of the video, so a verse might have three or four separate text elements appearing at different times.

The text tool gives you control over color, font, size, and position that the automatic lyrics feature doesn't always offer. If you want lyrics in a specific color or positioned in a particular spot on screen, manual text is the way to do it.

Use third-party apps to add lyrics before uploading

Some creators use video editing apps on their phone or computer to add lyrics before uploading to TikTok. Apps like CapCut, Adobe Premiere Rush, or iMovie let you import your video and music, then add text with precise timing control. You can export the finished video with lyrics already burned in, then upload it to TikTok as a regular video file.

This method works well if you want very polished lyrics with custom animations, specific fonts, or effects that TikTok's tools don't offer. The downside is that it takes longer — you're editing on a separate app, exporting, and then uploading — and the lyrics become part of the video file itself, so you can't edit them later without re-exporting.

CapCut is popular with TikTok creators because it's free and designed specifically for short videos. It has a lyrics feature similar to TikTok's, but with more customization options for how the text looks and moves on screen.

Position and style lyrics on your video

Whether you use TikTok's automatic lyrics or add text manually, you can move the text around and change how it looks. In the video editor, tap on the lyrics or text box to select it, then drag it to a new position on screen. You can place lyrics at the top, bottom, center, or anywhere else that doesn't block important parts of your video.

TikTok's text formatting options let you change the font, size, color, and background. Some fonts are bold and easy to read, while others are decorative. You can add a solid background behind the text, make it semi-transparent, or leave it with no background at all. Experiment with different colors to make sure the lyrics stand out against your video background.

If you're using multiple text boxes for manual lyrics, make sure they don't overlap in confusing ways and that the timing feels natural as you watch the video play. Viewers should be able to read each line comfortably before it disappears and the next one appears.

Understand copyright and music rights

TikTok's lyrics feature only works with songs in TikTok's licensed music library. These are songs where TikTok has permission from the copyright holder to use the music and display the lyrics. When you use TikTok's built-in lyrics tool, you're using content that's already cleared for the platform.

If you manually type in lyrics from a copyrighted song, the lyrics themselves are protected by copyright, but displaying them as text on a video is generally considered fair use for commentary or creative purposes. However, the music in your video is still subject to TikTok's copyright rules — if the song isn't in TikTok's library or you don't have permission to use it, your video could be muted or removed.

Using lyrics from songs you have permission to use — whether through TikTok's music library, a Creative Commons license, or your own original music — keeps you clear of copyright issues. If you're unsure whether a song is available on TikTok, search for it in the app's music section before you film.

Troubleshoot lyrics that won't appear or sync

If you've added lyrics but they're not showing up on your video, check that you've actually saved or confirmed the lyrics in the editor. Sometimes the text is added but not yet applied to the timeline. Tap the lyrics again and make sure the timing is set correctly — the start and end points should match where you want the text to appear.

If TikTok's automatic lyrics aren't syncing properly with your music, it usually means the song version in your video doesn't match the version in TikTok's database. Different remixes, live versions, or covers may not have lyrics available. Try searching for the exact song title and artist, or switch to manual text if the automatic option isn't working.

If lyrics disappear after you save your video, make sure you're saving the video to your drafts or camera roll before posting. Some edits don't stick if you navigate away without saving. Re-open the video, check that the lyrics are still there in the editor, and save again before posting to your feed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add lyrics to a video I already posted?

No, you can't edit a video after it's posted to your feed. You would need to delete the original post, re-edit the video with lyrics, and post it again. You can edit videos in your drafts before posting, so add lyrics before you share.

Do lyrics show up the same way on all devices?

Lyrics should appear the same on phones and tablets, but the exact size and position might shift slightly depending on screen size. Test your video on different devices if you're concerned about readability. Text that looks good on a large phone screen might be harder to read on a smaller one.

What if the song I want has the wrong lyrics showing?

TikTok's lyrics database is crowdsourced and sometimes contains errors. If the lyrics are clearly wrong, you can report them through the app. In the meantime, use the manual text tool to add the correct lyrics yourself.

Can I use lyrics from any song on TikTok?

You can only use TikTok's automatic lyrics feature with songs that have lyrics in the database. For songs without lyrics, you can manually type them in, but the music itself still needs to be from TikTok's licensed library or a source you have permission to use.

Do viewers need to do anything special to see the lyrics?

No, lyrics appear automatically for anyone watching your video. They don't need to enable a setting or tap anything — the text will be visible as part of the video itself.