How to Upload Music to YouTube Music (Computer Steps)

If you've got songs sitting on your computer that aren't on any streaming service, such as old CDs you ripped, demos from your own band, or tracks a friend sent you, YouTube Music lets you add them to your own library. Then you can play them alongside everything else, on the devices you already use.

There's one detail that trips up almost everyone, and it's that the upload itself only happens on a computer. I'll go through the steps YouTube's help centre gives, what files work, and what to check if your upload isn't showing.

Uploading music to YouTube Music from a computer

YouTube's help describes two ways to start an upload. The quicker one is drag and drop:

1. Open music.youtube.com in your browser and sign in.
2. Drag your music files onto any part of the page.
3. Wait for the progress bar to finish and the confirmation message to appear.

The other route uses the menu:

1. Go to music.youtube.com and sign in.
2. Click your profile picture.
3. Choose Upload music.
4. Pick the files from your computer.

The help page says a progress bar shows the upload, and a message appears when it's done. Uploaded songs may take some time to appear in your library, so give it a few minutes before assuming something has gone wrong.

Which music files YouTube Music accepts

According to YouTube's help centre, these file types work:

File type	Accepted?
MP3	Yes
M4A	Yes
FLAC	Yes
OGG	Yes
WMA	Yes
Video files	No, only audio files are supported
PDF files	No

The page says only audio files, with their metadata and album art, are supported. That means the song title, artist and cover image stored in your files carry across. If your files have messy tags, tidy them in a music-tagging tool before you upload, because that's what you'll see in your library.

Why you can't upload music in the YouTube Music phone app

This is the bit that catches people out. YouTube's help states that you can't upload music in the YouTube Music mobile app. The upload has to happen on a computer. Once it's done, your songs can be played from the app, but YouTube says viewing uploads in the app needs YouTube mobile version 3.51 or later, so keep the app updated.

Finding your uploaded music in YouTube Music

After the upload finishes, here's where YouTube's help says to look:

• Go to Library, then Songs, then Uploads.
• Or go to Library, then Albums, then Uploads.
• To search only your uploads, select Uploads in the search results.

If you can't see your songs yet, wait a little, refresh the page and check again.

YouTube Music upload limits to know about

The help page gives one clear limit: a library can hold up to 100,000 songs. It doesn't state a file size limit, so I won't invent one. If a particular file refuses to upload, the format is the first thing to check.

Uploading to YouTube Music with a Brand Account

This matters if you run a channel for a business or a band. YouTube says you can't upload music to a channel on a Brand Account. To upload, you need to move your channel to a personal account. If you're not sure which type you have, my guide to switching accounts on YouTube shows how to see which login you're using.

If you're a musician sharing your work with listeners, uploading to your own library isn't the same as publishing your song to the world. It only adds files for you to play. For making videos public, my walkthrough on uploading a video to YouTube is the route to read.

Using your uploads alongside playlists in YouTube Music

Once the songs are in your library, you can treat them like other tracks. Add them to playlists, mix them with streamed music, and use them for background listening while you work. If you'd like to organise them straight away, my guide to making a playlist on YouTube covers the idea on the main site.

Checking your music files before you upload to YouTube Music

A two-minute check saves a lot of head-scratching. Open the folder and look at the file extensions. If you see .mp3, .m4a, .flac, .ogg or .wma you're fine. If you see a video file, such as a clip with the song in it, you'll need an audio version first, because YouTube's help says video files aren't supported.

It's also wise to upload a single song first when you're trying this for the first time. Once you've seen it appear under Library, Songs, Uploads, you'll know the route works and can drop in the rest of the folder in one go.

If your YouTube Music upload isn't working

Go through these checks in order:

1. Make sure you're on a computer, not in the phone app.
2. Check the file is MP3, M4A, FLAC, OGG or WMA and is audio only.
3. Confirm you're signed in with a personal account, not a Brand Account.
4. Wait a while, then look under Library, Songs, Uploads.
5. Check you haven't reached the 100,000-song limit.
6. Update the app if the songs show on a computer but not on your phone.

If none of that helps, use the help centre or the feedback option inside YouTube Music to report the problem.

Keeping your uploaded YouTube Music files organised

A little tidying before you upload saves hassle later. Name files consistently, check the album art looks right, and keep an original copy on your computer. I treat my uploads as a personal archive: the originals stay on my machine and the library copy is for listening.

This guide is part of my YouTube Help: 30 Guides to Channels, Subscribers, Monetisation, Thumbnails and Fixes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I upload music to YouTube Music from my phone?

No. YouTube's help says you can't upload music in the YouTube Music mobile app. Upload on a computer, then play the songs on your phone.

What file types can I upload to YouTube Music?

FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG and WMA. Only audio files are supported, not video files or PDFs.

Where do my uploads appear?

Go to Library, then Songs or Albums, then Uploads.

How many songs can I upload?

YouTube's help says a library can hold up to 100,000 songs. It doesn't state a file size limit.

Why can't I upload with my business channel?

YouTube says you can't upload music to a channel on a Brand Account. You need to move the channel to a personal account.