TikTok moves at the speed of sound, literally. One day a lo-fi beat is the backdrop for every GRWM video, and the next, a sped-up 80s track is the only thing on your For You Page. For creators and marketers, finding the right audio isn't just about adding background music; it's about tapping into a conversation, joining a movement, and signaling to the algorithm that your content is relevant right now. But manually scrolling your FYP hoping to catch the next big wave is inefficient and often too late. This constant need for fresh, relevant content can quickly lead to creator burnout.
This guide cuts through the noise. We've curated the definitive list of the 7 best resources to discover trending TikTok songs today, from official TikTok data hubs to powerful industry analytics tools. You'll learn not just where to look, but how to use each platform to your advantage, ensuring your next video has the perfect, algorithm-approved soundtrack. Each entry includes direct links and actionable insights to streamline your workflow. To maintain a consistent presence and leverage these sounds effectively, consider how an AI faceless video generator can automate content creation for TikTok, freeing you up to focus on strategy.
1. TikTok Creative Center – Trends: Songs
When you need to find trending TikTok songs today, the most reliable source is TikTok itself. The TikTok Creative Center is the platform’s official, first-party data hub, offering an unfiltered, real-time look at the sounds gaining momentum. This is the fastest and most direct signal for creators and marketers who want to jump on a trend before it becomes oversaturated.
The platform allows you to go straight to the "Trends" tab and select "Songs" to see what's currently popular. Its primary advantage is the powerful filtering system. You can narrow down results by region (e.g., United States), timeframe (like the last 7 or 30 days), and even sort by "Breakout" to spot newly emerging sounds with rapid growth.
Why It's a Top Resource
The Creative Center excels by providing not just a list, but actionable context. Each sound has a detail page showing its growth trajectory, audience demographics, and a grid of top-performing videos using that audio. This helps you understand how the sound is being used successfully, not just that it's popular. The seamless integration with the TikTok app is a major benefit; you can find a trend on your desktop and click "Use this sound" to have it ready for creation on your mobile device.
Pro Tip: Use the "Breakout" filter to find sounds that are just starting to trend. Getting in early on these audios can significantly boost your video's visibility before the sound becomes overly common.
Key Features & User Experience
| Feature | Description | Benefit for Creators |
|---|---|---|
| First-Party Data | Official, real-time data directly from TikTok's platform. | The most accurate and up-to-the-minute trend information available. |
| Regional Filtering | Isolate trends specific to countries like the United States. | Ensures your content is relevant to your target geographic audience. |
| "Breakout" Sort | Highlights songs with the highest recent growth rate. | Helps you discover and adopt emerging trends early for maximum impact. |
| In-App Integration | "Use this sound" button sends the audio directly to your TikTok app. | Streamlines the workflow from trend discovery to content creation. |
Access: The Creative Center is free to use, though some advanced analytics or features may require you to log in with your TikTok account. The interface is clean and data-focused, making it easy to navigate and find the insights you need quickly. For those who want to dig deeper into how to leverage these insights, exploring a dedicated TikTok trend tracker can provide even more strategic guidance.
- Pros: Unmatched speed and accuracy of data, direct integration with the TikTok app.
- Cons: Some features require a login, and desktop trend data can occasionally differ slightly from what’s shown in-app.
Website: https://www.tiktok.com/creativecenter
2. TikTok Commercial Music Library (CML)
For brands and business accounts, finding trending TikTok songs today comes with a significant challenge: licensing. The TikTok Commercial Music Library (CML) is the platform's official solution, offering a massive, curated collection of over one million pre-cleared tracks that are safe for commercial use. This resource removes the legal risks associated with using popular but copyrighted music in sponsored posts, ads, or organic brand content.
The CML is directly integrated into the TikTok ecosystem. Business account users can access it within the app via the "Add Sound" page by tapping "Commercial Sounds," or they can explore it on desktop through the Creative Center. Its power lies in ensuring brands can participate in trends without violating copyright, protecting their accounts and ad campaigns from being muted or removed.
Why It's a Top Resource
The CML stands out by making trend participation safe and accessible for businesses. While the general "For You" sound page is full of label-backed hits, many are not licensed for promotional use. The CML provides business-safe alternatives and even includes themed playlists and collections that align with current trends, helping marketers find suitable audio quickly. This makes it an essential tool for any brand looking to create authentic, engaging content that feels native to the platform.
Pro Tip: When you find a trending audio on the main sound page, use the CML's search function to look for similar-sounding tracks or artists. This allows you to capture the vibe of a trend even if the exact viral song isn't available for commercial use.
Key Features & User Experience
| Feature | Description | Benefit for Creators |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Cleared Music | Over 1 million tracks licensed for commercial use worldwide. | Eliminates the risk of copyright infringement for brand or ad content. |
| Usability Filters | Filter sounds by approved placements (Ads, TikTok LIVE, etc.). | Quickly find audio that is specifically cleared for your intended use case. |
| Themed Playlists | Curated collections based on genres, moods, and business niches. | Simplifies the discovery process for finding on-brand, relevant music. |
| In-App & Desktop Access | Available via the "Commercial Sounds" tab in-app and on desktop. | Provides a seamless workflow for both mobile-first creators and desktop-based teams. |
Access: The CML is free to use but requires a registered TikTok Business Account. The interface is clean and integrated directly into the familiar TikTok environment, making it intuitive for existing users. To get the most out of this resource, understanding the nuances of how to properly attribute and how to use TikTok sounds for business is key to a successful strategy.
- Pros: Removes all licensing and copyright risks, useful filters help find business-safe sounds fast.
- Cons: The library is different from the general sounds page, so some major viral tracks may be unavailable.
Website: https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/how-to-use-the-commercial-music-library
3. Spotify Charts (Viral 50 USA + more)
While TikTok is the epicenter of song trends, Spotify Charts offer a critical secondary signal, showing which sounds have successfully crossed over into mainstream streaming. When a song climbs Spotify's Viral 50 USA chart, it indicates the sound has staying power beyond a fleeting in-app trend, making it a powerful choice for content. This platform is perfect for spotting trending TikTok songs today that have broader cultural resonance.
Spotify’s charts, particularly the "Viral" ones, are often a direct reflection of TikTok's influence. These charts measure songs that are gaining unusual traction from social sharing and discovery, not just playlist adds. This makes them an excellent proxy for identifying which TikTok audios are prompting users to leave the app and listen to the full track, signaling high engagement.
Why It's a Top Resource
Spotify’s value lies in its validation of a trend's longevity. A song hitting the Viral 50 is no longer just a soundbite; it's a track people are actively seeking out. This is a strong indicator that the song will remain relevant for longer, giving creators a wider window to use it effectively. The platform also allows you to seamlessly save these tracks to your own Spotify playlists, creating an organized library of potential audio options for future videos. This direct integration streamlines the process from discovery to curation.
Pro Tip: Cross-reference songs from the Viral 50 USA chart with TikTok’s Creative Center. If a sound is on both lists, it’s a verified hit with both early momentum and mainstream appeal, making it a safe and strategic bet for your content.
Key Features & User Experience
| Feature | Description | Benefit for Creators |
|---|---|---|
| Viral 50 Charts | Daily updated charts tracking songs with high social sharing rates. | Identifies songs with proven "stickiness" that are resonating beyond TikTok. |
| Regional Filtering | View charts for specific countries, including Viral 50 USA and Global. | Allows you to align your audio choices with your target audience's listening habits. |
| Interactive Charts | Viewable on both the Spotify website and within the mobile app. | Provides easy access to trend data whether you're at your desk or on the go. |
| Direct-to-Playlist | Ability to add songs directly to your Spotify playlists from the charts. | Simplifies the process of saving and organizing potential audio for future content. |
Access: The Spotify Charts website is completely free to access for both Free and Premium users. The interface is clean, simple, and focused on displaying the chart data without clutter, making it easy to quickly see what's climbing. For creators interested in mastering how to find sounds before they peak, a deeper dive into TikTok trend discovery can offer more advanced techniques.
- Pros: Excellent signal for songs with mainstream crossover potential, free and easy to access for all users.
- Cons: It's a lagging indicator compared to TikTok's native data; songs appear here after they've already started trending.
Website: https://charts.spotify.com/home
4. Apple Music + Shazam Viral Chart
While TikTok’s own data is direct, another powerful signal for trending TikTok songs today comes from tracking what people are actively trying to identify in the real world. The Apple Music and Shazam ecosystem provides this insight by revealing which songs are experiencing a sudden surge in curiosity, often driven by viral short-form video content. This is a lagging but highly qualified indicator; if people are taking the time to Shazam a song, it has already captured their attention.
The Shazam charts, particularly the "Viral" and "Discovery" playlists, act as an early warning system for sounds leaving the platform and entering mainstream consciousness. These are the tracks people hear in cafes, stores, or on their friends' phones and immediately want to know more about. Apple Music further curates official TikTok-branded playlists, making it a comprehensive hub for sounds that are both emerging and established.
Why It's a Top Resource
This combination excels by capturing user intent. Unlike passive listening, a Shazam action is a strong signal of interest and memorability. It helps creators identify songs that have a "hook" strong enough to make someone pull out their phone. By monitoring these charts, you can validate a trend's reach beyond the TikTok algorithm and find sounds with proven mainstream appeal, which can give your content a broader audience.
Pro Tip: Cross-reference the Shazam Viral Chart with the TikTok Creative Center's "Breakout" list. If a song appears on both, it's a strong indicator of a major trend with both on-platform momentum and off-platform curiosity.
Key Features & User Experience
| Feature | Description | Benefit for Creators |
|---|---|---|
| Shazam Viral Charts | Daily-updated playlists of songs with high identification activity. | Reveals which TikTok sounds are successfully breaking into mainstream awareness. |
| Country-Level Data | Specific charts for the Top 200, Viral, and Discovery in regions like the US. | Allows you to pinpoint songs resonating with your specific geographic audience. |
| Official TikTok Playlists | Curated song lists within Apple Music officially branded by TikTok. | Provides a reliable, vetted source of popular sounds in one convenient location. |
| Apple Music Integration | Easily add discovered songs directly to your Apple Music library for offline use. | Simplifies the process of saving and organizing potential audio for future videos. |
Access: The Shazam charts website is free to view. However, for full track playback and to access the curated playlists within Apple Music, a paid Apple Music subscription is required. The Shazam interface is clean and straightforward, focusing entirely on chart data, making trend-spotting fast and efficient.
- Pros: High-refresh, real-world data on user interest; deep US coverage and simple integration for Apple Music users.
- Cons: Apple Music requires a paid subscription for full functionality; charts reflect broader cultural moments, not just TikTok-specific trends.
Website: https://www.shazam.com/en-us/charts
5. Epidemic Sound
For brands, agencies, and creators running sponsored campaigns, using mainstream chart-toppers isn't always an option due to licensing restrictions. Epidemic Sound solves this by offering a massive, high-quality library of pre-cleared production music and sound effects specifically licensed for commercial use on TikTok. As a certified TikTok Sound Partner, it provides a safe and reliable way to find trending TikTok songs today that won't risk getting your branded content muted or taken down.
The platform’s core strength is its direct integration with TikTok’s ecosystem. Users can link their TikTok account to their Epidemic Sound subscription, which automatically safelists any tracks they use. This frictionless workflow is invaluable for social media managers and businesses that need to create content quickly without navigating complex music licensing laws for every video.
Why It's a Top Resource
Epidemic Sound is essential for commercial content because it completely removes the legal gray area around music usage. While the TikTok Creative Center is great for spotting organic trends, many of those sounds aren't cleared for ads. Epidemic Sound provides a library of over 50,000 tracks that are, allowing brands to find audio that matches the vibe of a trend without infringing on copyright. The platform curates playlists specifically for TikTok, making it easy to find sounds that fit popular formats and challenges.
Pro Tip: When planning a branded campaign, browse Epidemic Sound's TikTok-specific playlists first. Find a track that aligns with your brand's tone and then build the creative concept around it, ensuring your audio is 100% compliant from the start.
Key Features & User Experience
| Feature | Description | Benefit for Creators |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok Sound Partner | Certified integration allows for direct account linking and safelisting. | Drastically reduces the risk of sound-related takedowns for commercial content. |
| Vast Cleared Library | 50,000+ tracks and 200,000+ sound effects pre-cleared for TikTok. | Provides a huge selection of high-quality audio for any niche or brand voice. |
| Simple Licensing | Straightforward subscription models cover personal and commercial use. | Eliminates the need for complex, per-track licensing negotiations. |
| Curated Playlists | Collections of music hand-picked for popular TikTok video formats. | Speeds up the discovery process for finding suitable, trend-adjacent audio. |
Access: Epidemic Sound is a subscription-based service with different tiers for personal creators and commercial businesses. The interface is clean and user-friendly, with powerful search filters that let you sort by genre, mood, and BPM to quickly find the perfect sound. This makes it a go-to resource for anyone creating sponsored posts, ads, or other branded content on the platform.
- Pros: Fast, frictionless licensing for commercial use; significantly reduces takedown risk for business accounts.
- Cons: The catalog consists of production music, not mainstream pop hits; requires a paid subscription.
Website: https://www.epidemicsound.com/tiktok/
6. Lickd
While many platforms help you find what’s already trending, Lickd offers a different advantage: the ability to legally use chart-topping, famous-artist music in your videos. This service provides pre-cleared licenses for mainstream songs, allowing creators and brands to move beyond the standard TikTok library and use iconic tracks from major artists without fearing copyright strikes or video takedowns. This is a game-changer for sponsored content or professional productions where legal compliance is non-negotiable.
Instead of just chasing trending TikTok songs today, Lickd empowers you to create a trend with a well-known song that perfectly fits your brand's vibe. The platform's unique selling point is its pricing model, which scales based on your channel's average view count. This makes licensing accessible for creators of all sizes, from newcomers to established influencers.
Why It's a Top Resource
Lickd stands out by bridging the gap between mainstream music and the creator economy. Using a famous song can evoke immediate emotion and recognition, elevating your content's production value and helping it connect with a broader audience. The platform removes the complex, expensive, and time-consuming process of negotiating directly with music labels, offering a simple, one-stop shop for licenses that cover social media use, including TikTok.
Pro Tip: Use Lickd for high-stakes content like brand collaborations or hero videos for your profile. A recognizable, perfectly-matched song can make your content feel more premium and professional, justifying the small licensing fee.
Key Features & User Experience
| Feature | Description | Benefit for Creators |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstream Music Licensing | Legally license songs from famous, chart-topping artists. | Use iconic music to increase production value and audience connection. |
| Scaled Pricing Model | License fees are based on your average channel view count. | Makes popular music affordable and accessible, even for smaller creators. |
| Clear Usage Rights | Each license clearly outlines where and how you can use the track. | Eliminates the guesswork and legal risks of using copyrighted music. |
| Royalty-Free Catalog | Also offers a library of royalty-free music for more general use. | Provides a comprehensive audio solution in one platform. |
Access: Using Lickd involves creating an account and connecting a YouTube channel to determine your pricing tier. Once set up, you can browse their extensive catalog and purchase licenses on a per-track basis. The interface is clean and straightforward, making it easy to search for artists or genres and complete the licensing process in minutes.
- Pros: Unlocks legal use of well-known mainstream music, transparent and scalable pricing.
- Cons: Per-track fees can become costly for creators who post frequently, signup and pricing are tied to a YouTube channel's metrics.
Website: https://lickd.co/pricing
7. Chartmetric
For creators, marketers, and music industry professionals who need a data-driven approach, Chartmetric offers a powerful analytics suite that goes beyond just listing popular sounds. It provides a comprehensive, cross-platform view of a song's journey, showing how trending TikTok songs today are performing on streaming services like Spotify, on the radio, and across other social media platforms. This holistic perspective helps you validate a trend's true impact and longevity.
Unlike resources that only show what's popular on TikTok, Chartmetric connects the dots. You can see a song's TikTok post count, view its top associated creators, and then immediately check its Spotify playlist adds or Shazam requests. This makes it an indispensable tool for brands and agencies looking to invest in sounds with proven cross-platform appeal.
Why It's a Top Resource
Chartmetric stands out by consolidating massive amounts of data into one dashboard, saving you from having to cross-reference multiple sources. Its track profiles are incredibly detailed, showing not just that a song is trending but also who is making it trend and where that influence is spreading. The platform’s alerting system is a key feature, notifying you of significant ranking spikes so you can act on a trend the moment it starts to break.
Pro Tip: Set up email alerts for specific sounds or artists you're watching. This allows you to react instantly when a song experiences a sudden surge on TikTok, giving you a competitive edge in your content strategy.
Key Features & User Experience
| Feature | Description | Benefit for Creators |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-Platform Data | Tracks a song's performance on TikTok, Spotify, Apple Music, radio, etc. | Validates a trend's broader cultural impact beyond just the TikTok app. |
| TikTok Charts & Tracking | Dedicated charts for top tracks, users, and videos by country and date. | Provides detailed, localized insights into what is currently working on TikTok. |
| Track Profile Pages | In-depth analytics for each song, including post counts and top creators. | Helps identify key influencers driving a trend and understand its context. |
| Email Alerts | Customizable notifications for TikTok ranking spikes or trending posts. | Enables rapid response to emerging trends without constant manual checking. |
Access: Chartmetric is a premium analytics tool with several paid tiers. It offers a limited free "Community" tier, but the most powerful features require a subscription. The interface is data-rich and professional, which may require a short onboarding period for new users to fully leverage its capabilities.
- Pros: Unmatched cross-platform data consolidation, powerful for validating trends for commercial use.
- Cons: It is a paid service with a high price point, and its complexity can be overwhelming for casual creators.
Website: https://chartmetric.com/features/charts
Trending TikTok Songs — 7-Source Comparison
| Tool | Implementation complexity 🔄 | Resource requirements 💡 | Speed / efficiency ⚡ | Expected outcomes / impact 📊 | Key advantages / ideal use cases ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok Creative Center – Trends: Songs | Low — web dashboard; some pages require login | Free; TikTok account recommended; desktop + app integration | Very fast — real‑time first‑party trend signals | High short‑term discovery and immediate content ideas | Fastest source for what’s trending on TikTok; ideal for creators/marketers |
| TikTok Commercial Music Library (CML) | Medium — navigable UI, business account required | Requires TikTok Business account; free access within terms | Fast selection for business‑safe tracks (in‑app flow) | Low legal risk for ads; on‑brand music discovery | Removes licensing risk for advertisers and brands; best for paid/brand content |
| Spotify Charts (Viral 50 USA + more) | Low — public charts on web and app | Free to view; optional Spotify account for saves | Moderate — reflects streaming surge after social lift | Good indicator of tracks crossing from social to streaming | Useful to spot broader traction beyond TikTok and save tracks quickly |
| Apple Music + Shazam Viral Chart | Low — Shazam/Apple chart interfaces | Shazam charts free; Apple Music subscription for full playback | High refresh — real‑world ID signal from listeners | Reveals songs people are actively discovering/searching | Strong real‑time discovery; useful for spotting emerging public interest |
| Epidemic Sound | Medium — subscription, account linking, safelisting | Paid subscription; pre‑cleared catalog for TikTok use | Fast licensing and safe deployment for branded posts | Reduces takedown/muting risk for commercial content | Production music cleared for commercial TikTok use; ideal when label tracks unavailable |
| Lickd | Medium‑High — per‑track license workflow, signup needed | Per‑track fees scaled to expected views; some signup requirements | Moderate — licensing adds time and per‑use cost | Enables legal use of well‑known mainstream tracks in videos | Best for creators/brands needing famous‑artist tracks with clear licensing |
| Chartmetric | High — paid analytics platform with onboarding | Paid subscription; integrations for cross‑platform data | Moderate — alerts and historical analysis, not raw real‑time UI | Data‑driven validation and prioritization of trending sounds | Suited for agencies/teams needing consolidated cross‑platform analytics and alerts |
Turn Trends Into Traffic, Automatically
You now have a powerful toolkit for discovering the trending TikTok songs today. We've explored everything from TikTok's native resources like the Creative Center and Commercial Music Library to third-party powerhouses like Spotify's Viral 50 charts and Chartmetric's in-depth analytics. Each tool offers a unique window into the audio landscape, helping you identify sounds before they peak and find the perfect track for your next video.
However, the key takeaway is that data alone doesn't guarantee success. Knowing a song is popular is one thing; knowing how to integrate it seamlessly into your specific niche is another. The most successful creators don't just jump on a trend, they adapt it to their unique voice and audience, making it feel authentic and original.
From Discovery to Execution
The real challenge isn't finding the audio but translating it into compelling content that stops the scroll. A sound trending with dance videos might have untapped potential for a small business showcasing a product, or a viral comedy audio could be cleverly repurposed for a real estate tour. This creative leap from sound to concept is where growth truly happens.
To bridge this gap effectively, consider these final action steps:
- Build a "Trend Radar" Routine: Dedicate 15 minutes each day to check 2-3 of the tools mentioned. Don't just look at what's number one; look for sounds that are just starting to climb the charts to get ahead of the curve.
- Analyze, Don't Just Copy: When you see a video using a trending sound, ask why it works. Is it the comedic timing, the emotional storytelling, or the satisfying visual loop? Deconstruct the format to understand the underlying hook.
- Test and Iterate: Don't be afraid to experiment with a sound in a way no one else has. Your first attempt might not go viral, but each video provides valuable data on what resonates with your audience. Mastering this process is fundamental for anyone learning how to get viral on TikTok.
Ultimately, your goal is to create a sustainable system that moves from trend identification to content creation with minimal friction. The less time you spend brainstorming, the more time you can invest in producing high-quality videos that connect with viewers and drive results. Automating the creative part of this process is the next frontier for creators looking to scale.
Ready to stop guessing and start creating? Viral.new analyzes today's trending audio and delivers ready-to-shoot video concepts tailored to your niche, directly to your inbox every morning. Sign up for free and turn trends into traffic, effortlessly. Viral.new
