Royalty-Free Music for Reels: Licences, Credits and Sources
Royalty-free music for reels: use Instagram's own library, or CC0 and CC BY tracks from Openverse or Free Music Archive. Here is how licences and credits work.
Comparisons6 min read
The short answer
The safest music for reels is the platform's own library, used inside the app, because Instagram has licensed it for Instagram. For music you add in an editor, use tracks under CC0 or a public domain mark, or CC BY with a proper credit, from sources such as Openverse or Free Music Archive.
Royalty-free does not mean copyright-free, and CC licences have conditions. This guide explains the terms, how to credit, and where to find tracks. It is general information, not legal advice.
Royalty-free, copyright-free and Creative Commons are not the same
- Royalty-free: you don't pay a royalty each time the music is used. The music is still copyrighted, and the licence may cost money and limit where you can use it.
- Copyright-free: usually means public domain, where no copyright applies or the owner has waived it. Sellers sometimes use the phrase loosely, so check the actual licence.
- Creative Commons: free, standard licences the owner attaches to their work. The owner keeps copyright and gives you permission under conditions such as credit.
- Platform library: music licensed by Instagram, TikTok or YouTube for use on that platform only.
Creative Commons licences for reels compared
| Licence | Credit required? | Commercial use? | Use in a reel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CC0 (public domain dedication) | No | Yes | Yes | Creator waives rights; don't imply endorsement |
| Public Domain Mark | No | Yes | Yes | Marks work already free of known copyright |
| CC BY | Yes | Yes | Yes, with credit | Credit creator, link licence, note changes |
| CC BY-SA | Yes | Yes | Yes, but your video must be shared under BY-SA | Music synced to video counts as an adaptation |
| CC BY-NC | Yes | No | Personal reels only | Not for brand, client or monetised content |
| CC BY-ND | Yes | Yes | Usually not | Syncing music to video counts as an adaptation, which ND forbids sharing |
CC0 and public domain: the easiest option
The CC0 deed says the creator has dedicated the work to the public domain by waiving their rights, and that you can use it even for commercial purposes without asking permission. No credit is required, though crediting is a nice gesture.
The one rule to remember: don't suggest the creator endorses your reel or your brand.
CC BY: free to use if you credit properly
CC BY 4.0 lets you use the track for any purpose, including commercial, as long as you give appropriate credit, link to the licence, and indicate if you changed the material. Trimming a track or adding fades is a change, so say so.
Creative Commons recommends the TASL format: Title, Author, Source, Licence. On a reel, put it in the caption, for example: Music: "Track Title" by Artist Name (source link) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (licence link). Trimmed and faded.
Instagram captions don't make most links clickable, but the full URLs still give viewers the information. Add the same credit in your bio link page or post description elsewhere if you cross-post.
CC BY-SA: read this before you use it
This one surprises people. The CC 4.0 legal code says that when the licensed material is music, an adaptation is always produced where it is synched in timed relation with a moving image. Putting a BY-SA track under your video makes the video an adaptation.
ShareAlike means you must share that adaptation under the same or a compatible licence. In plain terms, if you use a BY-SA song in a reel, your reel should be licensed CC BY-SA too. That is fine for a personal travel reel. It is usually not what a brand or client wants.
The same rule is why NoDerivatives (ND) tracks are a poor fit: syncing them to video creates an adaptation, which ND does not let you share.
Credit examples you can copy
Here is how the credit line changes with the licence. Replace the parts in brackets with the details from the track's source page, and keep the licence name exact.
- CC0: Music: [Track Title] by [Artist], dedicated to the public domain under CC0 1.0. (Credit is optional, but it helps others find the track.)
- CC BY 4.0: Music: [Track Title] by [Artist] ([source link]), licensed under CC BY 4.0 ([licence link]). Trimmed and faded.
- CC BY-SA 4.0: Music: [Track Title] by [Artist] ([source link]), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ([licence link]). This video is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- YouTube Audio Library Creative Commons track: paste the credit text YouTube gives you into the video description, as its help page instructs.
Instagram's music library and business accounts
Adding a song from Instagram's own music sticker or audio picker is the simplest legal route for Instagram, because Instagram handles the licence. It does not cover reposting the same video to TikTok or YouTube.
Business accounts often see a smaller library, because many commercial songs are not licensed for business use. Instagram's help center has a page about access to the licensed music library, and its boost help says reels with licensed music can't be boosted. For business use, Meta offers the Sound Collection, a library of royalty-free tracks and sound effects you can use in content on Meta's apps under its own terms.
Creator accounts sit in between. If a song is missing, check your account type and region before assuming it was removed.
Where to find royalty-free music for reels
- Openverse: a search engine for openly licensed images and audio. It shows the licence for each result, but its own About page says it does not verify licences, so check the source page.
- Free Music Archive: each track carries its own Creative Commons licence, shown on the track page. Its FAQ suggests using the licence filter for the use you need.
- YouTube Audio Library: inside YouTube Studio, for YouTube videos. Some tracks need credit in your description. Don't assume use outside YouTube is covered; check the terms for each track.
- Meta Sound Collection: royalty-free tracks for content on Facebook and Instagram, under Meta's terms.
- Paid royalty-free libraries: a subscription or one-off licence, useful for client and ad work. Read what platforms and uses the licence covers.
A quick safety checklist
- Screenshot or save the licence page for every track you use.
- Prefer CC0 or public domain for brand and client reels.
- With CC BY, write the TASL credit in the caption every time.
- Avoid NC tracks for anything commercial and ND tracks for any video.
- If a song is a famous hit, assume it is not free unless the platform's own library offers it.
- Keep the music in a separate lane so you can swap it if a platform flags it.
Music in ReelXo
ReelXo's built-in library pulls royalty-free tracks from Openverse: CC0, public domain, CC BY and CC BY-SA. Some of those licences require credit, so copy the track details into your caption when they do. You can loop a track, add fades and record a voiceover, and templates are timed so cuts land on the beat.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is royalty-free music free to use on Instagram reels?
+
Not always. Royalty-free means no per-use royalty, but the music is still copyrighted and the licence may cost money or limit use. CC0 and public domain tracks are free to use; CC BY tracks are free with credit.
How do I credit Creative Commons music in a reel?
+
Use Title, Author, Source and Licence in your caption, for example: "Track Title" by Artist (source link) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (licence link). Note any changes such as trimming.
Why can't my business account use popular songs on Instagram?
+
Many commercial songs are not licensed for business use, so business accounts often see a smaller library. Use Meta's Sound Collection or tracks with a licence that allows commercial use.
Can I use YouTube Audio Library music on Instagram?
+
The Audio Library is provided in YouTube Studio for YouTube videos. Don't assume a track is licensed for Instagram; check its terms, and credit Creative Commons tracks as required.
Is copyright-free music the same as royalty-free?
+
No. Copyright-free usually means public domain, with no copyright restrictions. Royalty-free music is still copyrighted; you just don't pay a royalty per use under its licence.