No matter what kind of project you’re working on, a good sound effect can go a long way. However, finding a sound effect that you can use freely without worrying about licensing requirements or paying royalties can be tedious, not to mention time-consuming.

That’s why we’ve scoured the Internet for the best websites that provide free sound effects and we’ve rounded them in this article. Check out the sites below and find the right sound effect for your project.

Envato Elements – Royalty Free Sound Effects (with Subscription)

Find your perfect sound effect in this royalty free directory for any application you could think of. Over 80 thousand sound effects available and ready for use! No need to worry about having to continuously pay out royalties.

Retro Arcade Game Sound Effects Pack

Making a video game? Then you will need this arcade game sound effects pack! Included in this pack are the sound effects for explosions, weapons, fighting, and game overs.

Mixkit Free Sound Effects

Discover incredible free sound effects from Mixkit’s growing library of assets for video creators. All sound effects are free to use in your next commercial or personal project. They are royalty-free and can be used without attribution, plus no sign up is required.

m-operator – Repository of Minimalist Free Audio

From cool techno to soft ambient sounds or radio worthy songs M-operator has all the musical sounds you will ever want for use in your video productions, and all of them are royalty free.

NoCopyrightSounds

This service allows you to use their music in exchange for proper credit given to both them and the artist with no worry about copyright claims on the Twitch and Youtube platforms.

Purple Planet Royalty Free Music

Purple Planet Music has a wide array of musical scores that you can purchase or attribute. With genres ranging from Americana to Seasonal, you’re sure to find something that will be perfect for your needs.

16,000 BBC Sound Effects

The BBC has a huge database of sound effects that can be used under the RemArc License, which means so long as it’s for personal, educational, or research purposes you’re good to go.

whatfunk Free Music

Music that you find on whatfunk is available for you to download and use for any purpose you want with the exception of selling the original work you downloaded.

Free Music Archive

Free Music Archive is backed by WFMU, the most renowned freeform radio station in America. They offer music from the blues all the way to Soul R&B with everything in between.

Freesound

Freesound aims to give its users a whole new way of using and finding the sounds that they need. Most sounds are listed under their non attribution license, but do be mindful of their attribution and attribution noncommercial license.

Pond5 Royalty Free Music

Pond5 has a really sweet way of getting all your needs met as a one stop shop. They have stock and production music, sounds, videos, and even images. If you need something, Pond5 probably has exactly what you need.

Adobe Audition Downloads

Adobe has even gotten into the game offering up over 10 thousand different sound effects, over 30 music loops and bed bundles; and arriving soon soundbooth scores.

SoundBible Free Sound Effects

SoundBible strives to make it easy for teachers, students, faculty members and even the starving artist who needs sounds to get their projects off the ground. Almost every sound can be used commercially and all the sounds are free for private use.

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Make your podcasts, video games or videos come to life with the right sound effect. Whether you want to add a fun game over sound or need to add upbeat melody to your logo opener, chances are you will find a site that has the right sound effect on this list.