The short answer: To license music for a video, define how the video will be used (platform, commercial or personal, territory, and length of time), choose a source that controls both the recording and the song, get a written license that covers that use, and keep it on file. Licenses for online content can cost as little as a few dollars per track, while well-known commercial songs for national ads can cost six figures or more.

Whether you are a YouTuber adding a track to a vlog or a music supervisor clearing a song for a series, the process follows the same logic. Know what you need, find who owns it, and get the terms in writing.

The Two Rights in Every Song

Every recorded song carries two separate copyrights, and you need permission for both.

  • The composition (the melody and lyrics), usually controlled by the songwriter or their publisher. Permission to pair it with video is called a sync license.
  • The master recording (the specific recorded version), usually controlled by the artist or their record label. Permission to use it is called a master use license.

When one party controls both, they can grant everything in a single agreement. This is known as one-stop licensing, and it is the reason pre-cleared music is so much faster to license than a commercial hit.

Step by Step

1

Define the use. Write down where the video will appear (YouTube, TikTok, a paid ad, TV, film festival), whether it promotes a product or brand, which countries it will be seen in, and how long it will stay up. These details determine which license you need.

2

Choose your source. For a commercial hit, you will negotiate with the label and the publisher separately, which can take weeks. For faster and more predictable results, use a library or platform that offers pre-cleared, one-stop tracks.

3

Read the scope of the license. Check the media covered, commercial use, territory, term, and whether you can edit or loop the track. A license that does not name your use does not cover it.

4

Get it in writing and keep it. Save the license with the track title, date, and project name. You will need it if a claim appears or a client or network asks for clearance documents.

5

Protect your upload. For YouTube, ask the provider to allowlist your channel. For broadcast, submit a cue sheet so the songwriters receive their performance royalties.

What Music Licensing Costs

Prices vary widely depending on the song, the use, and who owns it. These are typical ranges, not quotes.

Use Typical Source Typical Cost
YouTube, TikTok, podcasts, and social content Per-track licenses or creator subscriptions A few dollars to a few hundred dollars per track, or tens of dollars per month for a subscription
Online ads and branded content Production libraries and independent artists Tens to thousands of dollars per track, depending on reach and ad spend
TV episodes and streaming series Independent artists, libraries, and publishers Often a few hundred to several thousand dollars for independent music
Films and trailers Publishers, labels, and libraries Thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, and more for well-known songs
National TV commercials Major labels and publishers Tens of thousands to six figures or more for a recognizable song

Common Licensing Terms

  • Perpetual: The license never expires for the project it covers.
  • Non-exclusive: Others can license the same track. Exclusive rights cost much more.
  • Territory: The countries where the video can be shown. Worldwide is standard for online content.
  • Media: The formats covered, such as online, social, broadcast, theatrical, or all media.
  • Cue sheet: A document listing the music used in a broadcast production, used by PROs to pay songwriters.

A practical rule: If you are not sure whether your video counts as commercial, assume it does. Any video that promotes a product, a service, or a brand, including your own, should be covered by a commercial license.

How This Works on OnChain Music

OnChain Music only offers licenses on tracks where the artist or rights holder controls 100% of the master and publishing, so every license is one-stop. Single-track licenses start at $5 for social media use and $35 for all digital use, including commercial content. Creators who license regularly can subscribe instead. Every license is perpetual and non-exclusive. For custom uses like broadcast or advertising, you can request a custom license directly from the site.

AI agents can license the same catalog with no human in the loop, using our API and MCP server with USDC payments. Read how AI agents license music to learn more.

Quick Answers

Do I need a license to use music in a YouTube video?

Yes. Unless you wrote and recorded the music yourself, you need a license from whoever controls the composition and the recording.

What is the difference between a sync license and a master license?

A sync license covers the composition (the song itself), and a master use license covers a specific recording of it. Using a recorded song in a video requires both.

How much does it cost to license a song for a video?

For online and social content, licenses often cost a few dollars to a few hundred dollars per track. Well-known songs for TV, film, and national ads can cost thousands to six figures or more.