Get Free Background Music For Shorts

Creating engaging short-form video content, often referred to as ‘Shorts’, requires more than just compelling visuals. The right audio can significantly elevate your content, capturing viewer attention and conveying the desired mood. Finding free background music for Shorts is a common challenge for creators looking to produce high-quality videos without incurring licensing costs or legal issues. Fortunately, numerous resources offer excellent tracks that can be used legally and effectively to enhance your Shorts.

Understanding where to find and how to properly use free background music for Shorts is crucial for any creator. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best sources, essential licensing considerations, and practical tips to ensure your videos not only sound great but also remain copyright compliant.

Understanding Licensing for Free Background Music For Shorts

Before diving into specific platforms, it is vital to grasp the basics of music licensing. Not all ‘free’ music is truly free for commercial use or even for public performance on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram. Different licenses dictate how you can use a track, and failing to adhere to these can lead to copyright strikes, demonetization, or even legal action.

Creative Commons Licenses

Many sources for free background music for Shorts operate under Creative Commons (CC) licenses. These licenses allow creators to share their work with specific conditions. Some common types include:

CC BY (Attribution): You can use the music, but you must credit the original creator.
CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike): Requires attribution and that any new work derived from it is licensed under the same terms.
CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial): Allows use with attribution, but only for non-commercial purposes. This might not be suitable if your Shorts are monetized.
CC0 (No Rights Reserved): Essentially public domain, meaning you can use it however you wish without attribution.

Always double-check the specific Creative Commons license associated with each track when searching for free background music for Shorts to ensure it aligns with your usage intent.

Top Platforms to Find Free Background Music For Shorts

Several reputable platforms offer extensive libraries of music that can be used as free background music for Shorts. These sources are often curated and provide clear licensing information.

YouTube Audio Library

The YouTube Audio Library is an invaluable resource for creators, offering a vast collection of royalty-free music and sound effects. This library is specifically designed for YouTube creators, making it an ideal place to find free background music for Shorts that are destined for YouTube.

Pros: Directly integrated with YouTube, clear licensing, high-quality tracks, easy search filters for genre, mood, and duration.
Cons: Some tracks require attribution, which you’ll need to include in your video description.

You can access it through your YouTube Studio, navigate to ‘Audio Library’ on the left sidebar, and start exploring thousands of options for your free background music for Shorts.

Facebook Sound Collection

Similar to YouTube, Facebook offers its own Sound Collection for creators. This library contains a wide array of music and sound effects that are cleared for use across Facebook and Instagram products, including Reels and, by extension, Shorts if you cross-post. It’s an excellent option for creators focusing on these platforms.

Pros: Cleared for Facebook and Instagram, diverse selection, easy to navigate.
Cons: Primarily for Meta platforms; always verify if using for other platforms.

Creative Commons Music Websites

Many websites specialize in hosting music under various Creative Commons licenses. These can be excellent sources for unique and diverse free background music for Shorts.

Incompetech: Kevin MacLeod’s extensive collection of royalty-free music, mostly under CC BY, is a go-to for many creators.
Free Music Archive (FMA): A comprehensive library featuring music from various artists under different CC licenses.
Bensound: Offers a selection of royalty-free music, some of which are free with attribution for online videos.

Always review the specific license on these sites for each track before incorporating it as free background music for Shorts.

Royalty-Free Music Libraries with Free Tiers

Some commercial royalty-free music platforms also offer a selection of tracks for free, often with attribution requirements. While their premium options provide more extensive choices, their free sections can still yield great finds.

Pixabay Music: Offers a growing collection of royalty-free music that can be used for commercial and non-commercial purposes without attribution.
Mixkit: Provides a curated selection of free stock music, video clips, sound effects, and templates, with a simple license that allows free use without attribution.
Freesound: Primarily focused on sound effects, but also hosts a significant amount of music, mostly under Creative Commons licenses.

Tips for Choosing the Right Free Background Music For Shorts

Selecting the perfect track is more than just finding something that’s free. The music should complement your video, not distract from it. Here are some tips for choosing effective free background music for Shorts.

Match the Mood and Theme

Consider the emotion or message you want to convey. Is your Short humorous, dramatic, informative, or inspiring? The music should align with this tone. An upbeat track works well for energetic content, while a mellow tune suits reflective or calm videos. The right free background music for Shorts can instantly set the atmosphere.

Consider the Pace and Duration

Shorts are, by nature, brief. Choose music that has a clear beginning, middle, and end, or tracks that loop seamlessly. The pace of the music should also match the pacing of your visuals and editing. If your video has quick cuts, fast-paced music might be appropriate.

Always Double-Check Licensing

This cannot be stressed enough. Even if a track is listed as free background music for Shorts, take the extra minute to read the specific license. Understand if attribution is required, and if so, how and where to provide it (e.g., in the video description). Ensure the license permits commercial use if your Shorts are monetized.

Test Different Options

Don’t settle for the first decent track you find. Experiment with a few different pieces of free background music for Shorts. Import them into your editing software and see how they feel with your visuals. Sometimes a track you initially overlooked might be the perfect fit.

Integrating Free Background Music into Your Shorts

Once you’ve selected your ideal free background music for Shorts, the next step is to integrate it seamlessly into your video. Most video editing software, whether desktop-based or mobile apps, makes this process straightforward.

Using Editing Software

For more control, use desktop editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro. Mobile apps such as CapCut, InShot, or VN Editor also offer robust audio editing features. Simply import your chosen music file and drag it onto your timeline. Adjust the volume, trim the track to fit your video’s length, and add fades at the beginning and end for a professional touch.

Volume Levels and Sound Effects

The background music should enhance, not overpower, your primary audio, such as voiceovers or sound effects. A good rule of thumb is to keep the music volume significantly lower than spoken dialogue. Additionally, consider adding subtle sound effects to punctuate key moments, further enriching your Short’s audio landscape.

Conclusion

Finding high-quality free background music for Shorts doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By utilizing platforms like the YouTube Audio Library, Facebook Sound Collection, and various Creative Commons websites, you can access a treasure trove of tracks to elevate your content. Always prioritize understanding licensing requirements to avoid copyright issues and ensure your creative work remains protected and professional. With the right music, your Shorts will undoubtedly capture more attention and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Start exploring these resources today and transform your short-form videos with captivating soundscapes.