Learn How to Add Lyrics to TikTok Videos

Understanding TikTok's Music and Lyrics Features

TikTok has become one of the world's largest platforms for short-form video content, with over 1 billion monthly active users as of 2024. Music plays a central role in the TikTok experience, with approximately 90% of users incorporating sound into their videos. The platform offers built-in tools specifically designed to help creators add lyrics to their videos in various ways, ranging from automatic lyric displays to manual text overlays that sync with music.

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The TikTok music library contains millions of songs from major record labels and independent artists. When you use a song from this official library, TikTok recognizes the track and can display lyrics automatically on your video. This feature works differently than manually adding text, as the platform's system identifies the song and pulls lyrics from its database. Understanding these different methods will help you choose the approach that works best for your creative vision.

TikTok's lyrics feature has evolved significantly since its introduction. The platform initially tested automatic lyrics display in select regions before rolling it out more broadly. As of 2024, the lyrics feature is available to users in numerous countries, though availability varies by location and device. Some creators use the automatic lyrics feature for music discovery and to enhance viewer engagement, while others prefer manual text overlays for more creative control over styling and timing.

The reason lyrics matter on TikTok relates directly to viewer engagement. Videos with visible lyrics tend to receive higher interaction rates because text makes content more accessible to viewers watching without sound—a common behavior on social media platforms. Additionally, lyrics help viewers identify songs they hear, making your content useful beyond just entertainment. This combination of accessibility and utility makes lyrics a valuable addition to many TikTok videos.

Practical Takeaway: Before adding lyrics to your video, consider whether you want automatic lyrics from TikTok's music library or manual text overlays. Automatic lyrics work best when using officially licensed music from TikTok's platform, while manual text gives you more creative control over appearance and timing.

Using TikTok's Built-In Automatic Lyrics Feature

TikTok's automatic lyrics feature is the most straightforward method for adding lyrics to your videos. When you record or upload a video using a song from TikTok's licensed music library, the app can automatically detect the song and display its lyrics on the video. This feature requires no additional steps beyond selecting your music through TikTok's native music selection tools. The process begins when you tap the music icon during video creation and choose a song from the platform's catalog.

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To use automatic lyrics, start by opening the TikTok app and beginning a new video recording or upload. When prompted to select music, browse through TikTok's music library or search for a specific song. Once you've selected a track and recorded your video, you'll see options to add effects and edit your content. Look for the "Lyrics" button, which typically appears in the editing toolbar alongside other text and effect options. The button may be labeled as "Lyrics" or represented by a music note icon, depending on your app version and device.

After tapping the Lyrics button, TikTok will scan your chosen song and display available lyrics. The platform will show you different styling options for how the lyrics appear on your video. You can usually choose colors, fonts, and positioning. Some versions of the feature allow you to select which section of the song's lyrics you want displayed, letting you highlight specific lines that match your video content most effectively. The automatic system will time the lyrics to match the music, so they appear and disappear as the song plays.

It's important to note that automatic lyrics availability depends on several factors. Not all songs in TikTok's library have lyrics data available in the system. Newer releases, lesser-known artists, and instrumental tracks may not have automatic lyrics even if they're in the music library. Additionally, geographic location affects availability—some regions have access to more comprehensive lyrics databases than others. If lyrics aren't available for your chosen song, you'll need to use manual text overlays instead.

Practical Takeaway: When selecting music for your TikTok video, choose songs from TikTok's official music library and check if the automatic lyrics feature recognizes them. If automatic lyrics aren't available for your song, the manual text overlay method provides a good alternative approach.

Adding Manual Text Overlays as Lyrics

When automatic lyrics aren't available or when you want more creative control, adding lyrics manually through text overlays offers flexibility and customization options. This method involves using TikTok's text tool to add lines of lyrics at specific moments in your video. Manual overlays work with any audio on TikTok—whether it's officially licensed music, sounds from other creators, voiceovers, or audio you've uploaded yourself. This approach gives you complete control over which lyrics appear, when they appear, and how they're styled.

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To add manual lyrics, begin recording or upload your video as usual. After selecting your audio and recording your content, enter the editing screen. Look for the text tool, typically represented by an "Aa" icon in the editing toolbar. Tap this icon to add a text box to your video. You can then type the lyrics you want to include. Place the text box where you want it on the screen—most creators position lyrics near the top or bottom so they don't obscure the main video content. After typing your text, you can adjust the font, size, color, and background styling.

The key to effective manual lyrics is timing. TikTok allows you to set when your text appears and disappears on screen, which you can synchronize with the music. To do this, after adding your text, look for timing controls that let you set the start and end times for that text element. You can set the text to appear at a specific second in the video and disappear after a set duration. For songs where you want multiple lines of lyrics displayed at different times, you'll need to add separate text boxes for each section and set their individual timing.

Many creators use a technique where they add one or two lines of lyrics at key moments in the song—perhaps during the chorus or at an emotionally impactful part. This approach is less time-consuming than adding lyrics for the entire song and can actually create more dramatic effect. Others add lyrics continuously throughout the video. You can experiment with both styles to see what works for your content. Keep in mind that text should be readable at normal viewing speed and size, so avoid making text too small or displaying too many lines simultaneously.

Practical Takeaway: Use manual text overlays when you want control over which lyrics appear and when, or when automatic lyrics aren't available. Add text boxes individually and set their timing to sync with the music for a professional appearance. Consider highlighting only key lyric moments rather than the entire song for stronger visual impact.

Formatting and Styling Your Lyrics Effectively

How your lyrics appear visually affects whether viewers actually read them and how professional your video looks. TikTok's text formatting tools offer various options for making lyrics stand out. When you select text in the editing interface, you'll find controls for font choice, text size, color, and background effects. Understanding how to use these tools effectively can transform plain text into visually engaging lyrics that enhance your video rather than distract from it.

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Font selection is the first consideration. TikTok provides multiple font options ranging from casual and playful to clean and modern. For lyrics, readability is paramount—avoid overly decorative fonts that are difficult to read, especially for viewers on mobile devices. Popular font choices for lyrics include sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica alternatives, which display clearly at various sizes. Some creators prefer bolder fonts for better visibility against background video content. Test how your chosen font looks in the video preview before finalizing.

Color choices should contrast well with your video background. If your video features a bright, colorful background, use darker text colors or add a semi-transparent background behind the text for readability. Conversely, if your video is darker in tone, use lighter text colors. Many TikTok creators use white text with a black or dark semi-transparent background, as this combination provides maximum readability across various video backgrounds. Some use colored text that matches the mood or aesthetic of their video—for example, pink text for romantic songs or bold red for energetic tracks.

TikTok offers text effects that can add visual interest to your lyrics. These might include shadow effects, glows, or outline options that help text stand out from the background. Use these effects moderately—too many effects can make text look cluttered and reduce readability. A subtle shadow or outline often works better