“Wait — what sound is everyone using right now?”
Whether it’s a catchy beat, a funny voiceover, or a weird little soundbite that somehow makes total sense, trending audio is the For You fuel behind many of TikTok’s most viral videos.
Trending TikTok sounds are one of the fastest ways to get your content noticed. The algorithm loves them, audiences recognize them, and they can do some of the storytelling work for you.
This guide walks you through nine simple ways to find trending TikTok sounds — and how to make the most of them once you do.
Jump to a section:Yes, you could spend hours scrolling through the platform to try to find the best audio for your next TikTok. But if you’re a busy content creator, business owner, or social media manager with content to get out into the world, you probably just don’t have the time.
Let’s speed things up with a few shortcuts that’ll make this process easier so you can get back to the most important part of content creation on TikTok — filming and editing your short-form videos and still-photo posts.
Before we take a look at how to find trending sounds on TikTok, a quick note for businesses and commercial use: not all music is cleared for business use on TikTok, even if it's being used in another post.
To be safe, you’ll need to check out TikTok’s Commercial Music Library for sounds approved for business use. When you upload a video as a business and tap Sounds, you’ll be prompted to a catalog of commercial sounds for sponsored videos by default.
You can read TikTok's official statement on the commercial use of music here.
🚀If you want to find out more about what makes TikTok, well, tick, here’s everything we know about how videos are ranked.With that in your back pocket, here are 9 ways to find trending sounds on TikTok:
1. Browse TikTok’s Creative CenterIf you haven't checked out TikTok’s Creative Center yet, the link is worth a bookmark. It's effectively a guide to the biggest trends on the platform within a timeframe of your choice, including creators, hashtags, and — you guessed it — songs trending on TikTok.
Another great feature: You can choose specific regions to pinpoint exactly what is trending there.
When you click on the name of the trending song, it even shows you analytics like interest over time, related videos, audience insights, and regional popularity:
TikTok’s search platform is pretty powerful, and using it is probably one of the simplest ways to discover trending sounds. Here’s how to do it:
If you’re trying to find suitable audio for your TikTok content, go ahead and start uploading your video. When you create a post in the app, TikTok recommends music for you.
It’s easily missed if you’re in a hurry to choose your own audio.
Here's how to find it:
I added a video of my book and received fitting suggestions from TikTok, like Lost in a Book and Dear Reader.
TikTok has curated a sound library based on your sounds and favorites. Here’s how to find it:
Pro tip: If you come across a video with a sound you like, you can save it for later by tapping the sound/artist name at the bottom of the screen and then Add to favorites.
When you want to find that sound again, follow the instructions above and tap the Favorites tab.
Looking for trending TikTok songs outside the app? Spotify’s got your back. Just search “TikTok” and you’ll find tons of playlists curated with viral TikTok sounds.
TikTok even has its own Spotify profile, where you’ll find a few playlists that featuring the top TikTok trending songs.
Tokchart is entirely devoted to tracking trending TikTok audio. Check it out to find the hottest trending songs of the past week or month, including a graph charting each song’s traction over time.
The CapCut app is a great way to identify emerging trends. This powerful video editing software is often a source of trending sounds and templates.
To find Capcut templates:
A trend has to start somewhere. While many trending sounds originate on TikTok these days, Instagram gets its fair share, too. Sounds trending on Instagram are usually also popular on TikTok, so it’s worth keeping an eye on both platforms.
One of the easiest ways to find trending songs on Instagram is by starting a reel. Just upload your video, tap the music icon, and head to the Trending tab.
You’ll see Instagram’s top 50 tracks, plus helpful info like chart position and how fast they’re picking up steam.
Need more help? Check out our full guide to finding trending audio on Instagram.
Want to skip the scroll and get straight to the good stuff? We’ve got you covered. Bookmark our regularly updated list of 15 Trending Songs on TikTok + How to Use Them.
Why find trending TikTok sounds?Experimenting with trending audio is a great tactic to help you grow on TikTok or even start monetizing your TikTok content. Here’s why jumping on the latest sound can seriously level up your content.
Get the algorithm on your sideFeaturing a popular sound in your video can boost its chances of landing on more For You pages, giving your content a better shot at going viral on TikTok.
Reach more peopleIf you're hoping to get more eyes on your videos, trending audio can helpt. When you use sounds that are already gaining traction, TikTok connects your content with people who are engaging with that trend, which helps expand your reach and boost engagement.
Stay relevant in real timeJumping on a trending sound is one of the quickest ways to keep your content feeling fresh. It’s a simple way to join the conversation and show your audience you’re plugged into what’s happening right now.
Let the audio guide your creativityMany trending TikTok sounds come with a built-in format — a joke setup, a transition cue, or a storytelling beat. That structure does some of the heavy lifting for you, making it easier to come up with something clever or entertaining.
Beat creator’s blockStuck on what to post? Browsing trending audio can kickstart your creativity. A single sound might spark an idea, inspire a twist, or help you tell a story you didn’t know how to start.
💡When you’re in creator mode, don’t stop at short videos. According to our analysis of 1.1M TikToks, longer videos get the highest median views and watch time.My bonus reason to love trending audio on TikTokI love music from pretty much all genres (not so much country — unless Beyoncé is singing it). Finding trending sounds on TikTok offers an added benefit: exposure to a wider range of music.
According to TikTok’s Music Impact Report, TikTok users are 77% more likely to want access to global music artists compared to average music listeners.
So, TikTok, for the work you’re doing in creating a launchpad for viral hits and breaking new artists, I salute you.
5 top tips for using trending sounds on TikTokJump on trends earlyTikTok trends move fast. When you spot a sound that’s starting to gain momentum, it’s worth getting in there within a day or two to boost your chances of getting discovered. The sooner you join in, the better your shot at riding the wave while it’s still building.
Pro tip: Use trending TikTok hashtags strategically to amplify your reach even further.
Make it your ownYou don’t have to copy-paste a trend to make it work. Put your spin on it and use the sound in a way that fits your style, niche, or sense of humor. The most memorable trend videos feel authentic and on-trend.
💡Check out our tips for editing TikTok videos and making your next video the best yet.Pair with strong visualsA trending sound grabs attention, but visuals keep people watching. Think about how you can match the beat with cuts or text, add captions for context, or hook viewers in the first few seconds. It’s all about making people stop and stay.
Pro tip: Make your TikToks work hard for you. With Buffer, you can crosspost your content to Instagram and Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts, Threads, X, and more to maximize your chance of success across platforms.
Save TikTok sounds you likeDon’t lose that perfect sound. When you come across a goodie, tap Add to Favorites or drop it in your Buffer Create space. That way, you’ll have a library of go-to audio when you’re ready to film.
Pro tip: When you need a little help brainstorming, writing captions, or refining scripts, Buffer’s AI Assistant is there to lend a hand.
Even the best TikTok won’t shine if no one’s around to see it. Try posting when your audience is most active. According to our research, that’s Sunday at 8 p.m., followed by Tuesday at 4 p.m., and Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Sound really is the anti-scroll on TikTokYou’ve now got nine ways to find the hottest TikTok sounds, five smart tips for using them, and even a few bonus playlists and tools to keep in your back pocket. Try one or two this week and see how your next post performs (no dance moves required).
And if you need a place to stash all your audio inspo and plan your TikToks like a pro, Buffer makes creating (and growing) on TikTok so much simpler.
Here’s everything you need to know about using TikTok with Buffer.
FAQs about trending sounds on TikTokHow do I see trending sounds on TikTok?The easiest way is to tap the plus icon (+) to start a new video, then hit Add sound at the top. TikTok will show you trending and recommended sounds right away — it’s a goldmine for inspiration.
How do I find the most popular sounds on TikTok?Check out the Search tab and explore hashtags like #trendingsounds or #viralsound. You can also follow creators who post regular trend roundups — they do the digging so you don’t have to.
How to see recently viewed sounds on TikTok?Tap + to start a new video, then hit Add sound at the top. You can then choose Recent to see a list of the latest sounds you’ve encountered.
How to download TikTok trending music?For copyright reasons, TikTok doesn’t offer a direct download option for music, but you can favorite a sound or save the video to come back to it later. You can also save the sounds as an idea in your Buffer Create space.
How to find sounds in the trending section on TikTok?When creating a video, tap Add sound — the app shows you a whole section of trending and recommended sounds. You can also find trends on the search page or under popular hashtags.
How to find popular TikTok songs in videos?Just look at the bottom of the video to find the song of a TikTok video. Tap it, and you’ll go to the sound’s page, where you can see other videos using it and even add it to your favorites.
Where can you find a list of current trending sounds on TikTok?We have just the list for you. Check out the latest trending sounds and songs on TikTok here.
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