# Free glitch sound effects

> Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences.

36 samples from 5 sources (Wikimedia Commons 12, Orange Free Sounds 11, Strudel sample banks 9, OpenGameArt 2, SoundBible 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily.

- Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=glitch&category=fx.glitch
- Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=glitch&category=fx.glitch"`
- Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below.
- Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md

## Errors as instruments

Glitch is the sound of digital things going wrong: a CD skipping, a buffer stuttering, a file read as audio. Since the late 1990s, electronic musicians have used those errors as material, and today glitches show up in IDM, dubstep, hyperpop and trap transitions, as well as in game interfaces and video edits.

## What to look for

Short glitches, under half a second, work as rhythmic hits. Longer ones make good transitions or background texture. Listen for clicks at the end of a sample: a quick fade avoids an unintended pop, unless the pop is the point. Because many glitches are very bright, a gentle low-pass around 10 kHz can stop them from sounding harsh on headphones.

Most glitch samples on free sites are made from scratch by sound designers, so licences are often permissive. The verdict on each card confirms it.

## Samples

| Sample | id | What | Source | Licence | Commercial use | Direct download |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Alexi Action - Lifelike (Dark Glitch Technology Background Music)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alexi_Action_-_Lifelike_(Dark_Glitch_Technology_Background_Music).opus) | `wikimediacommons:Alexi_Action_-_Lifelike_(Dark_Glitch_Technology_Background_Music).opus` | Glitch, 2:24 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · glitch · 1](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/glitch/001_CB.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/glitch/1` | Glitch | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Glitch Error Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/glitch-error-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:57035` | Glitch, One-shot, 2.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [glitch music](https://opengameart.org/content/glitch-music) | `opengameart:glitch-music` | Glitch | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Glitch by Wuzzy (Minetest) glitch abilities powerslide](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_abilities_powerslide.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_abilities_powerslide.ogg` | Glitch, One-shot, 0.74 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · glitch · 0](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/glitch/000_BD.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/glitch/0` | Glitch | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Glitch Beep Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/glitch-beep-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:55925` | Glitch, One-shot, 1.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Packsmithy SFX sampler: 30 synthesised sound effects (UI, retro, horror, sci-fi, glitch)](https://opengameart.org/content/packsmithy-sfx-sampler-30-synthesised-sound-effects-ui-retro-horror-sci-fi-glitch) | `opengameart:packsmithy-sfx-sampler-30-synthesised-sound-effects-ui-retro-horror-sci-fi-glitch` | Glitch | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Glitch by Wuzzy (Minetest) glitch abilities jumppad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_abilities_jumppad.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_abilities_jumppad.ogg` | Glitch, One-shot, 0.51 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · glitch · 2](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/glitch/002_FX.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/glitch/2` | Glitch | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Digital Glitch Error Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/digital-glitch-error-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:55885` | Glitch, One-shot, 2.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Glitch by Wuzzy (Minetest) glitch sounds glitched](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_sounds_glitched.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_sounds_glitched.ogg` | Glitch, One-shot, 4.5 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Strange Days](https://soundbible.com/1741-Strange-Days.html) | `soundbible:1741-Strange-Days` | Glitch | SoundBible | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · glitch · 4](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/glitch/004_OH.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/glitch/4` | Glitch | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Distorted Glitch Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/distorted-glitch-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:53967` | Glitch, One-shot, 1.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Glitch by Wuzzy (Minetest) glitch sounds default place.5](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_sounds_default_place.5.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_sounds_default_place.5.ogg` | Glitch, One-shot, 0.17 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [CD Skipping](https://soundbible.com/1195-CD-Skipping.html) | `soundbible:1195-CD-Skipping` | Glitch | SoundBible | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · glitch · 5](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/glitch/005_P1.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/glitch/5` | Glitch | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Glitch by Wuzzy (Minetest) glitch logo sound](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_logo_sound.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_logo_sound.ogg` | Glitch, One-shot, 4.6 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Digital Glitch Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/digital-glitch-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:48997` | Glitch, One-shot, 1.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · glitch · 3](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/glitch/003_HH.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/glitch/3` | Glitch | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Glitch by Wuzzy (Minetest) glitch levels gateway](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_levels_gateway.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_levels_gateway.ogg` | Glitch, One-shot, 1.4 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Glitch Sound](https://orangefreesounds.com/glitch-sound/) | `orangefreesounds:44893` | Glitch, One-shot, 1.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · glitch · 6](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/glitch/006_P2.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/glitch/6` | Glitch | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Glitch by Wuzzy (Minetest) glitch entities collect](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_entities_collect.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_entities_collect.ogg` | Glitch, One-shot, 0.41 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Short Glitch Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/short-glitch-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:39970` | Glitch, One-shot, 1.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · glitch · 7](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/glitch/007_SN.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/glitch/7` | Glitch | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Glitch by Wuzzy (Minetest) glitch sounds default dug.1](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_sounds_default_dug.1.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_sounds_default_dug.1.ogg` | Glitch, One-shot, 0.16 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Computer Glitch Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/computer-glitch-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:41451` | Glitch, 15 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Glitch by Wuzzy (Minetest) glitch player joy](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_player_joy.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_player_joy.ogg` | Glitch, One-shot, 0.47 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Radio Abstract Glitch Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/radio-abstract-glitch-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:22549` | Glitch, 15 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Glitch by Wuzzy (Minetest) glitch gui button press](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_gui_button_press.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_gui_button_press.ogg` | Glitch, One-shot, 0.07 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Glitch Button Click Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/glitch-button-click-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:45876` | Glitch, One-shot, 1.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Glitch by Wuzzy (Minetest) glitch sounds default place.2](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_sounds_default_place.2.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Glitch_by_Wuzzy_(Minetest)_glitch_sounds_default_place.2.ogg` | Glitch, One-shot, 0.17 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Glitch Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/glitch-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:34030` | Glitch, 20 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · glitch2 · 1](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/glitch2/001_CB.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/glitch2/1` | Glitch | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |

## Questions

**How are glitch sounds made?**

By breaking audio on purpose: repeating tiny slices of a buffer, reducing bit depth and sample rate, misreading files as audio, or recording malfunctioning electronics. Each method gives a different texture.

**How do I use glitches without making a track messy?**

Use them as punctuation: at the end of a phrase, in a fill, or replacing a hi-hat for one bar. A little goes a long way, and keeping them in time with the grid makes them sound deliberate.

## Related collections

- [Free laser and zap sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-laser-zap-sound-effects.md): Free laser, zap and blaster sound effects: retro sci-fi pews, synth zaps and glitchy shots for music, games and video, with a licence verdict on each.
- [Free white noise samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-white-noise-samples.md): Free white, pink and brown noise samples and noise sweeps for risers, snare layers, transitions and sleep or focus sounds, each with a commercial-use verdict.
- [Free tape stop sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tape-stop-effects.md): Free tape stop and record stop effects: the slowing, falling pitch of a stopping deck, used before drops and at song ends, with a licence verdict.
- [Free Reese bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-reese-bass-samples.md): Free Reese bass samples: detuned, phasing saw basses for drum and bass, jungle, dubstep and techno, as one-shots and loops with a licence verdict on each.
- [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict.
- [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict.

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Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects