How to Upload Audio to Instagram | A Complete Guide for Beginners

Learn how to upload audio to Instagram. Share your music, voice, or sound effects to make your posts unforgettable. Moreover, use the CapCut desktop video editor to add engaging audios to your videos and apply AI voice filters to them.

how to upload audio to instagram
CapCut
CapCut
Jun 16, 2025

Sharing audio on Instagram can be useful for adding music, podcasts, or voice recordings to your posts. Whether you want to upload a song to your story or share a recorded message in a reel, Instagram does not support direct audio uploads. However, there are simple ways to do this, such as converting audio into a video format.

This guide will explain how to upload audio to Instagram using different methods so you can easily share your sounds.

Table of content
  1. Why should you add audio to reels on Instagram
  2. How to add your own audio in Instagram reels
  3. How to create and mix audio on Instagram
  4. Tips to effectively add audio to Reels
  5. Add engaging audio to Instagram reels with the CapCut desktop
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQs

Why should you add audio to reels on Instagram

Adding audio to your Instagram reels makes your content more interesting and helps you connect with your audience. Music, voiceovers, or sound effects can make videos more engaging and memorable. Before learning how to upload audio to Instagram, here's why these sounds are important in reels:

  • Increases engagement

Videos with music or voiceovers grab attention and keep viewers watching longer. Sound makes content more enjoyable, leading to more likes, comments, and shares. Learning how to upload sound on Instagram helps you create reels that stand out.

  • Enhances storytelling

Audio helps express emotions and ideas more clearly than visuals alone. A good soundtrack or narration can strengthen your message. Understanding how to post audio to Instagram lets you tell better stories through reels.

  • Boosts discoverability

Using trending sounds increases the chances of your reel appearing on Instagram's Explore page. Popular audio helps reach a wider audience. Therefore, finding out how to add audio to Instagram reels can help you grow your profile.

  • Creates a memorable experience

The sound makes your content unique and easier to remember. A well-chosen audio clip can leave a lasting impression. When you know how to add original audio to reels, you can create content people remember and revisit.

  • Aligns with Instagram trends

Many Instagram trends are based on music and audio clips. Using popular sounds helps your reels feel fresh and relevant. Learning how to add your audio to Instagram reels keeps your content updated with the latest trends.

How to add your own audio in Instagram reels

Adding your audio to Instagram reels helps make your content unique and engaging. Whether you want to include a personal voiceover, a recorded sound, or a song not in Instagram's library, the platform lets you upload custom audio. Knowing how to add your music to Instagram reels gives you more creative freedom and helps your content stand out. Here's how to do it in a few simple steps:

    STEP 1
  1. Open the reels editor

Go to Instagram, tap "Create," and select "Reels." This will open the Reel recording and editing screen, where you can add your video and sound.

    STEP 2
  1. Navigate to the audio tab

Tap the music icon on the left side of the screen. You can choose a song from Instagram's library or click "Import" to upload your audio.

    STEP 3
  1. Upload and adjust your audio

Select your audio file, and Instagram will mark it as "Original Audio." Use the sliders to adjust the volume or trim the clip to match your video perfectly.

Showing how to add your own music to IG Reels

How to create and mix audio on Instagram

Creating and mixing audio on Instagram reels helps you personalize your content with music, voiceovers, or sound effects. Instagram provides simple tools to edit videos, record narrations, or fine-tune sounds before posting. Learning how to add your own sound on Instagram lets you create unique and engaging videos. Follow these steps to mix and customize your reel's sound:

    STEP 1
  1. Open the audio editing tools

After recording your reel, tap "Next" at the bottom. Then, tap the "Audio" button to access the controls, voiceovers, and music settings.

    STEP 2
  1. Add and adjust audio layers

Go to "Controls" and use the sliders to adjust the volume of the original or camera audio. Modify the levels as needed for better balance.

    STEP 3
  1. Mix and finalize the sound

Drag the volume bars to balance different audio layers. Tap "Edit" to apply effects and modify or remove any sound. Once you're satisfied, tap "Done" to share your reel.

Showing how to create your own audio on Instagram and mixing

Tips to effectively add audio to Reels

Adding the right audio to your Instagram reels makes them more engaging and easier to share. Choosing the right music, keeping it simple, and following copyright rules can help your content reach more people. Here are some tips to make sure your audio works well:

  • Keep audio short

Short audio clips are more effective because they keep viewers interested. A few seconds of music or a voiceover is enough to add impact. Knowing how to create original audio on Instagram helps you make short but engaging soundtracks.

  • Film simple reels

A clear and simple video makes your audio stand out. Too many effects or fast cuts can make it hard to focus on the sound. When you learn how to upload audio to Instagram, try matching it with a clean and easy-to-follow video.

  • Use universal audio

Choosing sounds that everyone can relate to makes your reels more shareable. Popular songs, trending sounds, or catchy beats work best. Understanding how to make your own audio on Instagram reels helps you create sounds that appeal to a larger audience.

  • Avoid copyright issues

Using copyrighted music without permission can cause your audio to be muted or removed. Try using Instagram's music library or uploading original sounds. Therefore, understanding how to make original audio on Instagram ensures your reels stay safe from copyright problems.

  • Name audio creatively

A unique name makes your audio easy to find and use. If others use your original sound, it can help grow your reach. When figuring out how to add audio to an Instagram reel, remember to give your audio an interesting and searchable name.

Add engaging audio to Instagram reels with the CapCut desktop

The CapCut desktop video editor makes it easy to add engaging audio to Instagram reels with precise editing tools. You can upload your music, adjust volume levels, and sync sound perfectly with video clips. For those looking to enhance their reels beyond Instagram's built-in features, CapCut provides a seamless way to customize audio before posting.

Interface of the CapCut desktop video editor - an efficient way to add music to Instagram reels

Key features

CapCut provides advanced audio tools to enhance your reels with high-quality sound. Here are some key features that make editing easier:

  • Various copyright-free music

Choose from a library of royalty-free tracks to add music to videos legally. This helps avoid copyright issues while keeping your reels engaging.

  • Normalize loudness instantly

Adjust audio levels automatically to keep sound balanced, preventing sudden volume changes for a smoother listening experience.

  • One-click noise reduction

Remove background noise from audio in a single click for more clarity. It is useful for improving voiceovers and recorded sounds.

  • Quick text-to-voice generation

Instantly convert AI text to voice for easy narration, helping you create voiceovers without a separate recording.

  • AI-powered voice enhancement

Improve vocal clarity by reducing distortions and background noise, making the speech and dialogue sound more professional.

How to add audio to reels in CapCut

Download and install the CapCut desktop video editor to easily add audio to your Instagram reels. Click the button below to get CapCut, then follow simple steps to import your video, add music, and edit audio perfectly.

    STEP 1
  1. Import the video

Open the CapCut desktop video editor and click "Import" to upload your video. You can also drag and drop the file directly into the workspace, then add it to the timeline to begin editing.

Importing a video into the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 2
  1. Add and customize the audio

Click the "Audio" option to open the side menu. Import audio from your device or browse tracks in the library. Then, select the audio in the timeline and access the basic editing options. Use "Reduce noise" to eliminate background distortions and "Normalize loudness" for balanced sound. Enhance your audio with fun AI voice characters and filters in the "Voice changer" for a more engaging effect.

Adding and customizing audios to Instagram reels in the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share

After adding and enhancing your audio, click "Export," select a suitable video format, and click "Export" again to save the video to your device. Then you can upload your media to Instagram.

Exporting a video from the CapCut desktop video editor

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing how to upload audio to Instagram elevates your content and makes it more appealing to your audience. Whether you're using music, voiceovers, or sound effects, choosing the right audio that fits your video is important. Following the steps to upload audio ensures your reels sound just right. For those looking to take their audio editing further, the CapCut desktop video editor provides advanced features to create professional-quality sound for Instagram.

FAQs

    1
  1. How to add audio to Reels without replacing original sound?

To add audio without replacing the original sound, record your video with the desired background audio. After recording, tap the music note icon to add extra music. Use the volume sliders to balance the original sound with the new audio. For precise audio mixing, try using the CapCut desktop video editor for better control over sound layers.

    2
  1. How to add audio in Instagram Reels while following copyright rules?

Use music from Instagram's licensed library, which is cleared for use to ensure compliance with copyright rules. You can also upload your own original audio or get permission from the copyright owner. Avoid using unauthorized music to prevent your reel from being removed. For creating original audio, the CapCut desktop video editor is a great tool to help you craft your own sound.

    3
  1. How to add audio to Instagram Reels from another Instagram post/story?

To add audio from another post or story, tap on the audio name at the bottom of the reel. This will open the audio page, where you can see other reels using that audio. Tap the "Use Audio" button to add it to your reel. For better audio customization, consider using the CapCut desktop video editor to adjust the audio to fit your video perfectly.