Using the wrong music on YouTube can get your video muted, demonetized, or taken down with a copyright claim — even if you only use a few seconds. Here are the safest and best sources for music you can actually use in your videos.
Short Answer: YouTube Audio Library is the safest free option — it’s built into YouTube Studio and all music is pre-cleared for YouTube use. For higher quality and variety, Epidemic Sound (subscription) is the gold standard. Free options like Free Music Archive and ccMixter work well if you understand the license types.
1. YouTube Audio Library — Safest Free Option
Built directly into YouTube Studio, the Audio Library has hundreds of tracks curated specifically for YouTube use. Every track is pre-cleared — no copyright claims, ever.
How to access: YouTube Studio → Content → Audio Library
What you get: Music and sound effects, filterable by mood, genre, duration, and whether attribution is required. Some tracks require you to credit the artist in your description.
Best for: Beginners and anyone who wants zero risk of copyright issues.
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: YouTube Studio Audio Library showing music tracks with mood, genre, and attribution filters
2. Epidemic Sound — Best Subscription Service
Epidemic Sound is the most popular paid royalty-free music service among YouTubers. For $11/month (personal plan), you get access to 40,000+ tracks — all fully licensed for YouTube and all other platforms including Twitch, Instagram, and TikTok.
The music quality is significantly higher than free libraries. The subscription covers new content you create while subscribed, and monetized content for the life of the subscription.
Best for: Regular content creators who want professional-quality music without worrying about licensing.
3. Free Music Archive (FMA)
The Free Music Archive (freemusicarchive.org) hosts a large collection of music released under Creative Commons licenses. You need to check the specific license for each track — some allow commercial use, some require attribution, some restrict derivatives.
Most useful licenses for YouTube:
- CC BY: Use freely, credit the artist
- CC0: Public domain — use with no restrictions whatsoever
4. ccMixter
ccMixter (ccmixter.org) is a community music site focused on remixes and collaborations under Creative Commons licenses. Good selection of ambient, electronic, and hip-hop instrumentals. Check each track’s specific license before using.
5. Artlist.io
Artlist is a subscription service ($199/year) aimed at professional video creators. Unlike Epidemic Sound, Artlist’s license covers content you created during the subscription period forever — even after you cancel. Good choice for long-term channel management where you don’t want to worry about licensing retroactively.
Warning: ‘Royalty-free’ doesn’t mean ‘free to use.’ It means you pay once (or subscribe) rather than paying per use. Always read the specific license — especially for commercial use, attribution requirements, and what platforms are covered.
The safest free workflow:
Use YouTube Audio Library for tracks marked ‘No attribution required.’ These are the lowest-friction option — use them in any video, on any platform, with no credit needed and no claim risk ever.
Quick checklist:
- ✅ YouTube Audio Library (free, built-in): safest option, pre-cleared for all YouTube use
- ✅ Epidemic Sound ($11/month): best quality library, full platform coverage
- ✅ Check license type on FMA: CC0 (public domain) is safest, CC BY requires attribution
- ✅ Artlist ($199/year): perpetual license for content made during subscription
- ✅ Never use commercial music even for 5 seconds — Content ID claims are automatic
FAQ
Can I use music if I give credit in the description?
Only if the specific license requires attribution AND allows commercial use. Attribution alone doesn’t grant you permission to use copyrighted music. Many CC licenses allow non-commercial use only — YouTube monetized videos count as commercial use.
What happens if I use copyrighted music on YouTube?
YouTube’s Content ID system automatically detects copyrighted music. The copyright holder can: (a) claim the video’s revenue, (b) mute the audio, or (c) block the video in certain countries or worldwide. Claims can be disputed but the process is slow and outcomes are uncertain.
Is Lofi/background music safe to use on YouTube?
Not automatically. Many lofi music channels have licensed their music to labels, which means Content ID claims. Check if the channel explicitly offers a “free to use” license, or use YouTube’s own Lofi tracks from the Audio Library.
Best Free Video Editing Software ↗How to Grow a YouTube Channel
Start with YouTube Audio Library — it’s free, safe, and has enough variety for most videos. When you’re ready to level up your production quality, Epidemic Sound’s trial is worth a month just to hear the difference professional-grade music makes to your content.