Sound effects can transform flat footage into YouTube gold. They have the power to capture your audience’s attention and keep them watching for longer. And when you see how effectively they’re used by mega-creators like PewDiePie and Mark Rober, it’s only fair to ask what sound effects do YouTubers use?
There’s no limits to the creative ways you can feature sound effects in your videos. You might make intros smarter with slick swooshes, or add meme energy to your edits with comedy sounds. But while your options seem endless, there are certain sound effects YouTubers use more than others.
We’ve crunched the numbers on what our 3 million creators downloaded from Uppbeat last year to bring you the definitive list of sound effects used by YouTubers. And of course, we’ll show you where you can download each sound effect too.
Want to check out the full list of YouTubers' favorite clips at a glance? Jump to the bottom to see the most popular sound effects used by YouTubers.
The 14 Most Popular Sound Effects Used by YouTubers
1. Whoosh - Smooth swish
This sleek sound effect is perfect for adding a professional touch to your edits — which explains why it was the single most downloaded sound effect on Uppbeat last year! It’s a subtle yet impactful way to elevate transitions and add movement to scenes. Like how Marques Brownlee uses it to bring his title sequence to life. He’s certainly not the only creator to use this small but mighty sound effect.
2. Meme fail alert
If you’ve caught a blunder on camera, there’s nothing like this classic ‘fail’ sound to take it from a comical clip to a truly memorable moment. Use it to highlight missteps, script blunders, and pretty much any fail, big or small. A prime example is how SSSniperWolf uses the Meme Fail Alert to emphasize her shocked reaction. It goes to show how the right sound effect can make clips even funnier.
3. Cha-ching cash register
Want to bring your viewers’ attention to price tags or deals in your videos? The sound of a cash register opening instantly brings to mind money and transactions. Make-up creator NikkieTutorials uses the cash register to signal to her viewers when they can save money on products with her discount codes. This instantly recognisable sound is ideal for shopping hauls, financial tips, or funny videos about outrageous spending.
4. Bell ding
This simple yet effective ding sound is ideal for highlighting important moments or pieces of information. You’ll find it used in all sorts of content, from information-heavy tutorials through to light-hearted gaming videos. Joshua Weissman often uses a bell ding to draw attention to key parts of his cooking tips. Using a bell ding like this makes it easier for your viewers to know what your key takeaways are.
5. Small bubble pop
A well-placed pop gives videos extra energy, which is why it’s a go-to choice for savvy creators and Uppbeat’s most-downloaded premium sound effect. Consider how Linus Tech Tips uses it to introduce the social media platforms he talks about in his video. It’s a subtle little touch that emphasizes the important details viewers need to know from the first few seconds. The simplicity of the small bubble pop means you can use it whenever your content features pop-up graphics.
6. Censor beep
This is a timeless way to either clean up your content or exaggerate a joke. It’s often used to poke fun at situations in a tongue-in-cheek way. Like how Ryan Trahan bleeps out Gordon Ramsey’s reactions to trying his candy bar, making the critique seem even worse than it is. Of course there are plenty of creators who will want to use this simply to cover up bad language too.
7. Playful detective music sting
Want to add a quirky touch of intrigue to your videos? This sound effect is a proven way to build suspense, but in a playful way. Mark Rober often uses this type of sound to great effect, letting the audience know that there’s an element of tension but without the video veering too far away from his typical family-friendly style. It’s a light-hearted sound effect that has tons of meme-able potential.
8. Audience cheering & clapping
Nothing hypes up your big wins and injects excitement into your edits like the sound of a cheering crowd. It’s the simplest way to turn any moment into a celebration. Dude Perfect often use it to make their outrageous trick shots feel even more legendary. It’s a sound effect that instantly gets viewers swept up in the excitement of the moment.
9. Laptop typing
This is a versatile sound effect that can make your edits feel more lifelike, or could also be used to inject a touch of humour. It’s perfect for scenes showing productivity, like someone hard at work on their laptop. But it can also be a great punchline — just look at how creators used it for the viral baby typing meme. It’s a great example of how realistic sound effects can be used in absurd ways to comedic effect.
10. Swoosh - Quick swipe
If your content typically features quick cuts and fast transitions, this is a great choice for you. The fast-paced swoosh sound enhances footage in action-packed content and keeps momentum flowing in edits. Take construction channel The B1M as an example, using a quick swipe swoosh to transition between shots and highlight the reveal in their intro. It’s a dynamic addition that’ll give your visuals extra energy.
11. Awkward silence crickets
Plenty of creators use this iconic sound to punctuate uncomfortable pauses or failed jokes, because nothing says awkward silence like the sound of chirping crickets. The king of YouTube himself, Mr Beast, turned his uncomfortable encounter with T-Series into an even bigger spectacle by adding this sound effect. It’s the perfect way to inject humor into moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
12. Camera shutter
Adding the sound of a camera taking a photo is a great way of giving your edits extra depth. It’s a practical sound effect, but one you can still use creatively. Like how Jessica Kobeissi uses the shutter sound to accompany her stylized fashion shots in her intro, bringing her photo shoot to life. The popularity of this sound effect shows that even small details can make a big impact.
13. Ocean waves on beach
Waves are an evocative choice for creators adding a sense of calm to their content. This soothing sound effect is often used in travel, relaxation, or nature-themed videos. But it’s also perfect for your intros, outros, or scenic montages. Sailing La Vagabonde use the sound of lapping waves to bring a sense of realism to their sea footage. It’s a prime example of how natural sound effects can enhance your footage.
14. Heartbeat tension
A heartbeat sound effect is an instant tension-builder, signaling to your audience that something big is coming. Airrack is one of many creators who use this effect to turn even the smallest moments into high-stakes reveals. If you want to add excitement and keep viewers on edge, this is an essential sound to have in your toolkit.
Elevate your YouTube videos like a pro with Uppbeat sound effects
Sound effects can transform your videos, which is why all the biggest YouTubers sprinkle them across their content. They’re proven to improve your edits and keep viewers watching for longer.
Use them to add a professional gloss to your videos or highlight comedy moments with meme-worthy sound effects. Whatever route you go down, you’ll find the most popular sound effects used by YouTubers on Uppbeat. Explore a catalog packed with professional-grade sounds and start downloading for free, all without the threat of copyright claims.
The most popular sound effects used by YouTubers
Want to recap on our list? Here's the top sound effects for YouTubers in full, with links to check out the most popular sounds for yourself. Bookmark this page and save it for when you're working on future videos to see how you can elevate your content.
7. Playful detective music sting
