How to Find and Download Music on Free Music Archive

Free Music Archive (FMA) lets you search, play, download, and share independent artists' original music, and its library is described as royalty-free and safe to use in media like YouTube videos, Facebook posts, and podcast episodes. To get a track, use the site's search to find music for your project, then check the individual track's license and download instructions before you use it. The steps below cover the practical path from landing on the site to having a usable file.

What FMA Is and Who It's For

FMA is a music platform operated by Tribe of Noise. According to the site, it connects independent artists worldwide with creators such as videographers, YouTubers, podcasters, and filmmakers, and it says it removes traditional licensing barriers.

The site lists these project types as fits for its music:

• Social media
• Video
• Podcasts
• (Short) films
• Websites
• And more

If your project falls into one of those categories, FMA is built with you in mind. If you need music for something outside that list, the same search-and-check process still applies, but confirm the license fits your use.

Step-by-Step: Finding and Downloading a Track

1. Go to freemusicarchive.org. The homepage presents two entry points: a "Music for your project" search area and a "Free Music Archive" browse area described as "instant access to independent artists and original music."
2. Search for what you need. Use the search function to look for tracks by mood, genre, or keyword tied to your project. The site describes the library as extensive and diverse, so narrowing by the feel you want is the fastest route.
3. Preview the track. FMA states its music is "free to play, download and share," so you can listen before committing.
4. Check the license on the specific track. This is the step that matters most. FMA's own guidance is to review each track's license and download notes before use. "Royalty-free" and "free to download" describe the platform, but the terms attached to an individual song are what govern your project.
5. Download the file. Follow the download option on the track page. The site confirms downloading is part of the intended use.
6. Credit or attribute if the license requires it. Some tracks ask for attribution; the track's own license page will say so.

Expected result: you end up with an audio file and a clear understanding of what you're allowed to do with it.

What "Royalty-Free" and "Safe to Use" Mean Here

FMA describes its music as royalty-free and safe to use in all kinds of media, including YouTube, Facebook, and podcast episodes. That's the platform-level promise.

It does not mean every track carries identical terms. Because FMA hosts work from many independent artists, licenses vary by track. Treat the platform description as a starting point and the individual track license as the final word. If you're publishing commercially or on a monetized channel, read the track's terms rather than assuming the general description covers you.

Common Sticking Points

• Skipping the license check. The most frequent mistake is downloading and publishing without reading the track's terms. The site explicitly points you to per-track licensing for a reason.
• Assuming all tracks work the same way. They don't. Two songs from the same search can carry different requirements.
• Forgetting attribution. If a track requires credit, leaving it out can put your use out of compliance even though the music was free to download.
• Not matching the track to the project. FMA organizes around project types (socials, video, podcast, film, websites). Search with your format in mind so you don't waste time on tracks that don't fit the tone.

Quick Reference

Bottom Line

Start at freemusicarchive.org, search for music that fits your project, preview it, then read the specific track's license and download notes before you publish. The platform makes finding and downloading straightforward; the license check on each track is the part that keeps your use safe.