Using the wrong music in your YouTube video can trigger an immediate copyright claim, lose you all your ad revenue, or even get your video blocked worldwide. This guide covers the best sources for no copyright music, royalty-free music, and copyright-free tracks you can safely use in your YouTube videos in 2026.
When creators talk about "no copyright music for YouTube," they usually mean one of these three things:
Importantly, "no copyright music" does NOT mean the music has no copyright owner. It means the owner has granted permission for specific types of use — always check the exact licence terms.
YouTube's own free music library is the safest option for YouTubers. All tracks are pre-cleared for use on YouTube — you will never get a Content ID claim from Audio Library music. Some tracks require attribution in your video description.
Access: YouTube Studio → Audio Library
Genres: Ambient, Electronic, Hip Hop, Jazz, Rock, Classical, and more.
A large library of Creative Commons-licensed tracks across many genres. Always check whether the specific licence is CC0 (no attribution), CC BY (attribution required), or CC BY-NC (non-commercial only — not suitable for monetised videos).
Website: freemusicarchive.org
Pixabay's music library offers a growing collection of royalty-free tracks released under their own licence — free for commercial use including monetised YouTube videos. No attribution required in most cases.
Website: pixabay.com/music
Kevin MacLeod's huge library of instrumental music is CC BY licensed — free to use in any YouTube video (including monetised ones) as long as you credit him in your video description. One of the most popular no-copyright music sources for creators.
Website: incompetech.com
Bensound offers a selection of tracks free for YouTube use with attribution. Their paid plans offer more tracks and remove the attribution requirement. Popular for background music in tutorials and vlogs.
Website: bensound.com
A community music site with Creative Commons tracks specifically designed for creators. Offers remixes and original tracks across many styles. Licence varies per track — check before downloading.
Website: ccmixter.org
| Licence | Can Use on YouTube? | Monetised Videos? | Attribution Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC0 (Public Domain) | Yes | Yes | No |
| CC BY | Yes | Yes | Yes — credit the artist |
| CC BY-SA | Yes | Yes | Yes — and share-alike |
| CC BY-NC | Non-commercial only | No — not on monetised videos | Yes |
| CC BY-ND | Yes (no modifications) | Yes (no remixing) | Yes |
| All Rights Reserved | Only with licence | Only with licence | N/A |
No copyright music refers to tracks that are safe to use on YouTube without triggering copyright claims — including public domain music, Creative Commons-licensed tracks, and royalty-free music with a YouTube-compatible licence. The safest source is YouTube's own free Audio Library.
The best free sources are: YouTube Audio Library (safest), Pixabay Music, Free Music Archive (check CC licence), Incompetech by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY — credit required), Bensound (free tier with attribution), and ccMixter.
No — "royalty free" means no ongoing royalties, not necessarily free of charge or free of restrictions. Always read the licence carefully. Some royalty-free licences restrict commercial use, require attribution, or limit where you can publish the content.
Not all CC licences allow monetised YouTube use. CC0 and CC BY are generally safe. CC BY-NC is non-commercial only — not suitable for monetised videos. Always check the specific CC licence code (CC0, CC BY, CC BY-NC, etc.) before using the track.
No. YouTube's Content ID is automated and does not read your description. Giving credit is a courtesy, not a legal shield. You must have a licence or use freely licensed music to avoid claims.