Free Music for Your Website, Videos & Projects — Where to Find It (Legally)
May 31st, 2022
Music can instantly transform your website, videos, or creative projects. It sets the tone, builds emotion, and makes your content more memorable. But using the wrong track can lead to copyright issues, so it’s essential to understand what’s safe to use. In this guide, you’ll get a quick grasp of the legal basics and a curated list of reliable sources for free and usable music.
Already building your site? Jump straight to the music sources.
Before you download anything, use this quick visual guide to understand which music you can legally use and when.
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So… Can You Actually Use That Song?
The answer depends on the type of license behind it. From fully copyrighted tracks that require payment to free options like the public domain or Creative Commons, each has its own rules. The table below breaks it down simply so you can quickly see what’s safe to use, how much it costs, and where you might encounter each type.
| Type | Can you use it? | Cost | Example |
| Copyrighted music | Only with a license | Fee required | Radio hits |
| Royalty-free music | Yes, after one purchase | One-time fee | Melody Loops |
| Public domain | Yes, freely | Free | Pre-1928 recordings |
| Creative Commons | Yes, with conditions * | Free | Jamendo, FMA |
*Creative Commons conditions vary by licence. The most common ones are: giving credit to the artist, using the music only for non-commercial projects, and not modifying the track. Always check the specific licence before using a song.
With that out of the way, let’s get to the good part.
Where to Find Free Music for Your Projects
With hundreds of free music platforms out there, knowing where to start saves a lot of time. We’ve grouped the best ones into three categories based on what you’re actually trying to do — so you can find the right track faster.
🎵 Best for background music & video projects
- Melody Loops: A large library of royalty-free tracks designed for videos, websites, and presentations. You can filter by category, use tracks across multiple projects, and even modify them to fit your needs.
- Free Music Archive: A curated collection of instrumental tracks across 16 genres, all available under Creative Commons licenses—ideal for background use without vocals.
- Jamendo Music: A global platform where independent artists share music under Creative Commons. Expect a mix of rock, pop, electronic, and more, all ready to stream or download.
- Musopen.org: A go-to source for classical music that’s free from copyright restrictions. You can browse by composer, instrument, or period and use tracks without licensing concerns.
TIP: Creating videos for your site? Read our guide on how to start a video blog
🎙️ Best for discovering independent artists
- SoundCloud (Creative Commons section): A massive platform where both professional and indie musicians upload their work. Filter by Creative Commons to find tracks you can legally use.
- Bandcamp: An online music store and community where you directly support artists. Some creators offer free downloads—just be sure to check usage rights.
- Last.fm: Known for its recommendation engine, but also offers downloadable tracks under Creative Commons if you dig a little deeper.
TIP: If you’re a musician yourself, check out our guide on how to build your band website
🔊 Best for sound effects & unique recordings
- FreeSound: A huge database of user-uploaded sounds—from nature recordings to instruments—perfect for adding unique audio elements to your projects.
- Open Music Archive: A collection of digitized, out-of-copyright recordings that you can freely browse, download, and reuse.
- ClassicCat: A directory of over 7,000 classical performances organized by composer and piece, linking you to downloadable recordings across the web.
- Internet Archive: A vast digital library of media, including historical audio recordings. It’s not the easiest to navigate, but it’s full of hidden gems you can use for free.
How to Add Music to Your Webnode Website
Found the perfect track? Here’s how to bring it to life on your Webnode site — no technical skills needed.
- Add it as a downloadable file – The simplest option. Upload your audio file directly to your page and let visitors download it with a click. Perfect for podcasts, guided meditations, or music samples.
- Embed music player – Want visitors to hit play without leaving your site? Use a free service like SoundCloud or Chirbit — upload your track there, then embed the player on your page using a simple HTML widget.
- Add background audio – You can embed an audio player on your homepage for an ambient feel. Just keep in mind that most modern browsers block autoplay by default, so a visible player your visitors can choose to play is always the better experience.
See the detailed instructions on how to add music and audio files to your website.
Showcasing creative work? Learn how to build a digital portfolio with Webnode
You’ve got the legal knowledge, the sources, and the tools to add music to your site. Now all you need is the place to put it all together. Ready to build something worth listening to?