# Free water sound effects

> Free water sounds: drips, splashes, pouring, bubbles, streams and waves for foley, ambient music and games, as one-shots and loops with licences.

36 samples from 4 sources (Wikimedia Commons 11, OpenGameArt 10, Orange Free Sounds 10, SoundBible 5), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily.

- Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=water&category=foley%2Cambience
- Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=water&category=foley%2Cambience"`
- 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

## Drips to oceans

Water is one of the most versatile sound sources. Close up, drips and bubbles are pitched and percussive; a little further away, pouring and splashing work as foley; at a distance, streams and waves become ambience. Producers use water for texture under ambient tracks, sound designers for scenes and games, and many people for relaxation.

## Choosing a recording

For foley, pick dry, close recordings with one clear action. For ambience, look for long, steady recordings without voices or traffic. Waves and rivers contain a lot of low end that can muddy a mix, so a high-pass around 80 to 150 Hz is common.

Nature recordists share a lot of water on Freesound, Wikimedia Commons and the BBC Sound Effects archive. The BBC recordings are for personal, educational and research use only, so they carry a red verdict for releases; the others say on each card what you may do.

## Samples

| Sample | id | What | Source | Licence | Commercial use | Direct download |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Water Churning](https://soundbible.com/1790-Water-Churning.html) | `soundbible:1790-Water-Churning` | Foley | SoundBible | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Cold water 3](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cold_water_3.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Cold_water_3.ogg` | Foley, 10 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0 | Restricted: read the conditions | yes |
| [Faucet Water Flow and Air Hissing Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/faucet-water-flow-and-air-hissing-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:58907` | Foley, 9.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Foot walking step sounds on stone, water, snow, wood and dirt](https://opengameart.org/content/foot-walking-step-sounds-on-stone-water-snow-wood-and-dirt) | `opengameart:foot-walking-step-sounds-on-stone-water-snow-wood-and-dirt` | Foley | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Cold water 1](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cold_water_1.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Cold_water_1.ogg` | Foley, 8.7 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0 | Restricted: read the conditions | yes |
| [Spooky Water Drops](https://soundbible.com/380-Spooky-Water-Drops.html) | `soundbible:380-Spooky-Water-Drops` | Foley | SoundBible | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dripping water loop](https://opengameart.org/content/dripping-water-loop) | `opengameart:dripping-water-loop` | Foley, Loop | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Tour Boat Sailing Through Water Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/tour-boat-sailing-through-water-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:57897` | Foley, 31 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Cold water 2](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cold_water_2.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Cold_water_2.ogg` | Foley, 6.0 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0 | Restricted: read the conditions | yes |
| [Water](https://soundbible.com/2032-Water.html) | `soundbible:2032-Water` | Foley | SoundBible | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Water splashes](https://opengameart.org/content/water-splashes) | `opengameart:water-splashes` | Foley | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Warm water 5](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Warm_water_5.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Warm_water_5.ogg` | Foley, 8.0 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0 | Restricted: read the conditions | yes |
| [Water Drops](https://soundbible.com/2186-Water-Drops.html) | `soundbible:2186-Water-Drops` | Foley | SoundBible | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Tourist Boat Cruising Through Water Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/tourist-boat-cruising-through-water-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:57311` | Foley, 36 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Water Waves](https://opengameart.org/content/water-waves) | `opengameart:water-waves` | Foley | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Water Drop](https://soundbible.com/1126-Water-Drop.html) | `soundbible:1126-Water-Drop` | Foley | SoundBible | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Weald and Dowland water mill](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Weald_and_Dowland_water_mill.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Weald_and_Dowland_water_mill.ogg` | Foley, 1:14 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 2.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Air Sputtering In Water Pipes – Faucet Coughing Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/air-sputtering-in-water-pipes-faucet-coughing-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:54796` | Foley, 10 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Dripping Water](https://opengameart.org/content/dripping-water) | `opengameart:dripping-water` | Foley | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Warm water 4](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Warm_water_4.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Warm_water_4.ogg` | Foley, 7.0 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0 | Restricted: read the conditions | yes |
| [Soothing Water Stream And Calming Night Insect Sounds](https://orangefreesounds.com/soothing-water-stream-and-calming-night-insect-sounds/) | `orangefreesounds:54159` | Foley, 1:28 | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [boiling water loops](https://opengameart.org/content/boiling-water-loops) | `opengameart:boiling-water-loops` | Foley, Loop | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Faucet water into sink](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Faucet_water_into_sink.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Faucet_water_into_sink.ogg` | Foley, 53 s | Wikimedia Commons | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Water Drop Sound Effect With A Large Echo](https://orangefreesounds.com/water-drop-sound-effect-with-a-large-echo/) | `orangefreesounds:52018` | Foley, 5.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Skippy Fish Water Sound Collection](https://opengameart.org/content/skippy-fish-water-sound-collection) | `opengameart:skippy-fish-water-sound-collection` | Foley | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Water on Rocks](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_on_Rocks.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Water_on_Rocks.ogg` | Foley, 2:35 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Small Object Splashing Into Water Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/small-object-splashing-into-water-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:51986` | Foley, 3.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Running water](https://opengameart.org/content/running-water) | `opengameart:running-water` | Foley | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Pouring water in mug in sink](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pouring_water_in_mug_in_sink.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Pouring_water_in_mug_in_sink.ogg` | Foley, 22 s | Wikimedia Commons | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Car Wash With High-Pressure Water Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/car-wash-with-high-pressure-water-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:51236` | Foley, 40 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Water flowing sound](https://opengameart.org/content/water-flowing-sound) | `opengameart:water-flowing-sound` | Foley | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Water wave](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_wave.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Water_wave.ogg` | Foley, 2:55 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0 | Restricted: read the conditions | yes |
| [Water Drip Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/water-drip-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:50100` | Foley, One-shot, 1.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Water sounds](https://opengameart.org/content/water-sounds) | `opengameart:water-sounds` | Foley | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Water over rocks as tide recedes](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_over_rocks_as_tide_recedes.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Water_over_rocks_as_tide_recedes.ogg` | Foley, 30 s | Wikimedia Commons | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Swamp Night Ambience Sound Effect – Frogs Chorus With Distant Water Bird Calls](https://orangefreesounds.com/swamp-night-ambience-sound-effect-frogs-chorus-with-distant-water-bird-calls/) | `orangefreesounds:56295` | Foley, 17 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |

## Questions

**How do I make a water drop sound musical?**

Water drops have a natural pitch. Pick a clean one, tune it to your key, and play it from a sampler as a melodic percussion instrument. A little reverb makes it sound like it's falling into a cave.

**Can I loop a stream recording?**

Yes. Find two points with similar movement, crossfade over half a second or more, and avoid any distinctive splash near the loop point, or listeners will notice it repeating.

## Related collections

- [Free rain ambience sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience.md): Free rain ambience and storm recordings: light rain, downpours, rain on windows and thunder, as long field recordings with a preview and licence verdict.
- [Free forest ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience.md): Free forest ambience: birdsong at dawn, wind in trees, insects at night and rainforest soundscapes for music, film, games and relaxation, with licences.
- [Free glass sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glass-sound-effects.md): Free glass sounds: breaking windows, shattering bottles, clinks, chimes and glass hits for film, games and percussion layers, with a licence verdict.
- [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict.
- [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences.
- [Free door sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects.md): Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict.

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