Instagram Reels Music Guide — How to Add, Find & Use Music in Reels (2026)

Quick Answer

To add music to a Reel: create your Reel → tap the audio icon (music note) → browse or search for a song → select the segment you want → record or upload your video. Instagram's music library has millions of licensed songs. You can also use original audio (your own voice or sounds) or save trending audio from other Reels to use later.

How to Add Music to a Reel

Method 1: Before Recording

Tap the + icon to create a Reel.
Tap the audio icon (music note) on the left sidebar.
Browse trending, curated playlists, or search for a specific song.
Tap the song → drag the slider to select the segment you want (up to 90 seconds).
Tap Done → record your video with the audio playing.

Method 2: After Recording

Record or upload your video first.
On the editing screen, tap the audio icon.
Search or browse for a song.
Select the segment → tap Done.
The music overlays your video. Adjust the volume balance between original audio and music.

Method 3: Use Original Audio

Record your Reel with your voice or ambient sounds.
Your audio becomes the "original audio" for that Reel.
Other users can tap the audio name and use your sound in their own Reels.
If your original audio goes viral, it becomes a trending sound.

In the Reels Tab

Browse the Reels tab and watch Reels.
Look for the ↗ arrow badge next to the audio name at the bottom — this means the audio is trending.
Tap the audio name → tap Save to add it to your saved audio collection.
When creating a Reel, tap Saved to access your saved sounds.

In the Audio Library

When creating a Reel, tap the audio icon.
Browse the Trending section at the top.
These are the sounds Instagram is currently pushing algorithmically.

Jump on trends within 48 hours — early adoption gives the biggest algorithmic boost.
Check the post count — audio used in 5,000-50,000 Reels is trending but not oversaturated.
Audio over 100K uses may be past peak — you'll be competing with thousands of existing Reels.

How to Save Audio from Other Reels

Watch a Reel with audio you like.
Tap the audio name at the bottom of the Reel.
Tap the bookmark/save icon.
The audio is saved to your collection.
When creating a Reel, tap the audio icon → Saved to use it.

Copyright and Music Licensing

What You Can Use

Instagram's music library — millions of licensed songs available for personal and creator accounts.
Original audio — your own voice, sounds you record, or royalty-free music you own.
Saved audio from other Reels — if the audio is from Instagram's library, you can reuse it.

What to Avoid

Uploading copyrighted music directly — if you add a song as original audio (not from the library), it may be muted or removed.
Using music not in Instagram's library — business accounts have a more limited library due to commercial licensing.
Claiming others' original audio — if someone created an original sound, it's attributed to them.

Business Accounts vs. Creator Accounts

Creator accounts have access to the full music library.
Business accounts have a limited library (mostly royalty-free and original sounds) due to commercial licensing restrictions.
If you need full music access, use a creator account.

How to Download Reels Audio

Instagram doesn't offer a built-in way to download audio as a standalone MP3 file. To get Reels audio:

Use ViewInsta's Reel Downloader — download the full Reel video, then extract audio using a video-to-MP3 converter.
Search for the song — if the audio is a known song, find it on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music.
Screen record — play the Reel and screen record it, then extract the audio.

Tips for Using Music Effectively

Match the mood — the audio should match the tone of your content.
Use trending audio early — the first 48 hours are critical for maximum reach.
Keep Reels short with trending audio — 7-15 second Reels with trending sounds get the highest completion rates.
Add text overlays — many people watch without sound. Text ensures your message gets across.
Create original audio — if your sound goes viral, thousands of creators will use it — free promotion for your brand.

Instagram Reels Audio Guide — complete audio reference
Instagram Reels Guide — complete Reels strategies
Instagram Reels Editing Guide — editing tools and techniques
Instagram Reels Trends Guide — current trends and how to use them