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Foley sound effects

Browse foley sound effects that make scenes feel real. Find footsteps, doors, clothing rustle, glass breaking and object handling for films, videos and animation.

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TL;DR: Foley sound effects are custom-recorded everyday sounds, such as footsteps, clothing rustle and doors, that make scenes feel real. Sound design builds the overall audio world, and foley adds the small physical details.

Foley sound effects that make scenes feel real

Foley sound effects are custom-recorded sounds that recreate everyday noises made by people and objects: footsteps, rustling clothes, a door closing, a glass set on a table. Cameras on set focus on dialogue, so these small sounds are missing, and adding them back makes a scene feel real. You can find foley sound effects for films, videos, animation and social content.

Popular foley sound effects

  • Footsteps: Steps on wood, gravel, snow or metal for subtle movement.
  • Door sounds: Doors opening, closing, creaking or slamming.
  • Glass breaking: Sharp shattering for action, drama and unexpected impact.
  • Clothing and movement: Rustles, zippers and fabric shifts.
  • Object handling: Picking up, placing down, clinking glasses, cutlery and keys.

Foley, sound design and ambience

Sound design builds the overall audio world, with elements like synths, explosions and wind. Foley adds the small, physical details of people interacting with that world. Think of sound design as the large layer and foley as the detailed layer that makes a scene feel real.

Who uses foley

  • Filmmakers and animators: Sync footsteps, clothing and props to on-screen action.
  • Social media creators: Add texture to cooking, lifestyle and ASMR-style videos.
  • Advertisers: Add satisfying clicks and thuds that make products feel premium.

Looking for synthesized interface sounds instead? Try science fiction or electronic sound effects.

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Frequently asked questions about foley sound effects

  • What are foley sound effects?

    Foley sound effects are custom-recorded sounds that imitate everyday actions, such as footsteps, cloth movement and handling objects. They are added in editing to match what is on screen and add realism.

  • What are the three types of foley?

    The three main types are footsteps, movement and specifics. Footsteps capture a character walking on different surfaces. Movement captures clothing and fabric. Specifics, also called props, cover everything else, such as a glass breaking or a door opening.

  • Where can I find footsteps sound effects?

    Footsteps sound effects are in the Epidemic Sound sound effects catalog. Preview the options and choose the one that matches the surface in your scene.

  • What is the difference between foley and sound design?

    Sound design is the process of building a full audio environment, including synthesized and abstract sounds. Foley is a specialized part of it, focused on realistic sounds of people and objects, recorded with physical props.

  • Why is it called foley?

    The technique is named after Jack Foley, a sound pioneer who developed the method of performing sounds live to a moving picture during the move from silent films to films with sound.