Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Understand TikTok's audio requirements
TikTok accepts video uploads with embedded audio — you don't upload standalone audio files directly. For TikTok videos: the video container (MP4 or MOV) must have an AAC audio track. For sounds/original audio: these are attached to videos, not uploaded separately. TikTok video audio specs: AAC codec, 44.1 kHz sample rate, 128 kbps bitrate minimum. The video file itself must be MP4 or MOV.
Go to converter - 2
Prepare your audio track
If you have a standalone audio file (WAV, FLAC, MP3) you want to use as the soundtrack for a TikTok video: first ensure it's in the right format. Convert to AAC (M4A) at 44.1 kHz, 128–320 kbps using FormatDrop's audio converter. This gives you a TikTok-compatible audio file to use in video editing software.
- 3
Add the audio to a video in editing software
TikTok videos must have video + audio combined. Use CapCut (TikTok's own editing app), InShot, or any video editor to combine your visual content with your audio track. In CapCut: create your video, tap Audio → Sounds → Import from Device, and select your prepared audio file.
- 4
Export the video correctly for TikTok
Final TikTok video export settings: Format: MP4. Resolution: 1080×1920 (9:16 portrait, standard TikTok). Frame rate: 30 fps. Video codec: H.264. Audio: AAC 128+ kbps. Maximum duration: 10 minutes (as of 2024). Maximum file size: 287.6 MB. Most video editing apps default to TikTok-compatible settings if you choose TikTok as the export profile.
- 5
Upload and use TikTok's in-app tools
TikTok's in-app editor also offers sound options: you can add sounds from TikTok's sound library, record original audio, or import from your device. After uploading, use TikTok's 'Sounds' feature to adjust volume balance between the original video audio and any added soundtrack.
Why convert WAV to AAC?
TikTok processes all uploaded videos through its encoding pipeline, which normalizes audio and video to its delivery standards. This means that even if you upload a video with slightly different specs, TikTok will transcode it — similar to how YouTube and Instagram handle video. The key reason to prepare audio correctly before uploading is quality preservation: TikTok's transcoding starts from your upload as the source material. If you upload a 64 kbps MP3 audio track, TikTok's transcoder has low-quality source material to work with. If you upload a 256 kbps AAC track, the transcoded output will be noticeably better. Start from the highest-quality audio source you have, encode to AAC at high bitrate (192–320 kbps), and TikTok's own encoding will preserve as much of that quality as possible.
Your files never leave your device
FormatDrop runs the conversion engine entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly. No file upload. No server. Nothing stored. You can verify this by opening DevTools → Network tab and watching: zero upload requests.
Frequently asked questions
What audio formats does TikTok accept?
Can I upload original music to TikTok?
How long can TikTok audio be?
No account. No upload. Works in any browser.