Adding music to your Canva creations will bring them to life! It’s easy to do, and you can add music from a variety of sources. In this guide, we’ll show you how to add audio or music to Canva step by step so you can create stunning visuals and presentations with sound.
There are many ways to add audio or music to Canva. You can upload your own audio files, record narration, or choose music and sound effects from Canva’s library. Follow this guide to learn each method. Use a presentation or video design that supports audio; the controls depend on the design and editor you are using.
1. Uploading Audio Files
The first way to add audio or music to Canva is by uploading your own audio files. Open “Uploads” in the editor sidebar, choose “Upload files,” and select your recording or music file. You can also drag the file into Uploads. Once uploaded, click the audio file to add it to your design. Supported formats include AAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, WMA, WAV, and WEBM, up to 250 MB per file.
2. Recording Audio
The second way is to record your own narration. The screenshot below shows the older “Uploads” > “Record yourself” route. In the newer video timeline, open “Audio” > “Record Voiceover” to create an audio track. If that option is missing, record your voice with another app and upload the file using method 1.
Check the microphone selection and allow microphone access before recording. “Record yourself” records video; in the current editor you can find it under “Videos,” then select the finished video and use “Audio tools” > “Extract audio” if you need a separate track. To record a whole slide presentation as you speak and advance slides, choose “Present and record” from the presentation options. That produces a recorded presentation for sharing, rather than simply adding a music track.
3. Choosing from Canva’s Library
The third way to add audio or music to Canva is by choosing from its library of music and sound effects. Open “Audio” in the editor sidebar, search or browse, then click a track to add it. In a video design, it starts at the timeline playhead. Some tracks require a paid license or eligible plan, and popular music availability depends on your plan and region.
If the “Audio” tab does not appear, open “Apps” to find it, or select “Elements” and choose the “Audio” category. The older screenshots use a “More” menu. Check a track’s usage information before using it: popular music is restricted to personal use and eligible educational uses, so it cannot be used to promote a business.
Once you’ve added audio, select its track and use the volume control above the editor. On a video timeline, drag the trim handles to shorten the track; use its “More” > “Adjust” control to choose a different part of the recording. Set page or scene durations so the visuals last as long as the narration, then preview playback. Keep background music low enough for speech to remain clear.
To share a design with sound, download it as an MP4 video or share the recorded presentation link. Canva’s PDF and image exports do not carry playable audio. Play the finished video or recording before sending it, rather than relying only on the editor preview.
Final Thoughts
Adding audio or music to Canva is a great way to make your designs more engaging and appealing. Choose an uploaded voiceover, a recorded presentation, or a library track to suit your project, and check the volume before sharing. Only upload audio you have rights to use. Even licensed Canva music can trigger a social platform’s Content ID claim; connecting the relevant social account before downloading can help, but does not guarantee that no claim will occur.
