Learn how to use, add, and manage Discord Soundboard sounds with this easy guide. Includes setup tips, file limits, Nitro features, and where to find the best sound clips.
Soundboard is a voice channel feature that lets users play short audio clips that can be heard by all participants in the same voice channel. These sounds can be used to react, joke, or just make conversations more lively. Each server has its own Soundboard with different sounds, which are added by the admin, and others can be uploaded by members if they have permission.
Soundboard doesn't work in Stage Channels, and you need Discord Nitro to use sounds in other servers. For those looking for a free option, check out our article on safe ways to get free Nitro.
You can use the Discord soundboard on both desktop and mobile, but the steps are slightly different.
To use Soundboard on desktop:
Go to the server and enter the voice channel you want to use.
If Soundboard is turned on for that channel, you'll see a small confetti icon at the bottom right. Tap it to open the Soundboard menu.
Once the Soundboard is open, move your mouse over any sound you want. Click the play button to play it, everyone in the voice channel will hear it. If someone in the channel is deafened, they won’t hear any sounds you play.
If you find a sound you enjoy, click the star icon to add it to your favorites. Want to listen to a sound privately before using it? Click the speaker icon to preview it without others hearing.
To use Soundboard on mobile:
Open the server and join the voice channel you want.
Once you're in, tap anywhere on the screen to show the bottom toolbar. Swipe the toolbar upward and select Soundboard from the top of the menu.
You'll see a list of sounds you can use. Just tap on any sound to play it in the voice channel.
You can only upload to Soundboard through desktop or browser. To upload new sounds:
Open the server where you want to add new sounds
Click on the server name, choose Server Settings.
Go to Soundboard under Expression .
Click Upload Sound, then choose your audio file. Name it, set the volume level to your preference.
Click Upload to complete the process.
Each uploaded sound must be less than 5 seconds, under 512KB, and in MP3 or WAV format. You can give the sound a name and emoji icon for easy access.
Each server starts with 8 built-in sound slots that members can use right away. If the server receives enough boosts, it can unlock more slots depending on its Server Boost level:
If you want to unlock more upload slots quickly, PlaySwap provides reliable Discord Boosting services to help your server reach higher tiers and maximize Soundboard capacity.
Managing your server soundboard involves deciding who can use it and what sounds are available. Let’s start with how to set permissions.
As a server admin, you can choose who gets to use the Soundboard feature. To give or remove Soundboard access by role:
Go to Server Settings > Roles
Select the role you want to edit
Toggle Use Soundboard permission on or off
To manage Soundboard access in a specific voice channel:
Right-click the channel and select Edit Channel
Go to the Permissions tab
Choose a role or user, then enable or disable Use Soundboard
Only members with this permission will be able to see or use the Soundboard in that channel.
To let members upload custom sounds to the server, give them the Create Expressions permission. You can enable this under Server Settings > Roles > Permissions, then look for Create Expressions.
To edit or remove sounds already added to your server:
Go to Server Settings > Soundboard.
You'll see all the uploaded sounds.
Click the pencil icon to edit a sound.
Click the X icon to delete a sound.
You must have the Manage Expressions permission to make changes to sounds. To give this to someone, go to Roles > Permissions and enable Manage Expressions.
If you have Discord Nitro, you can set a sound to automatically play when you join a voice channel. Here’s how:
Go to User Settings > Voice & Video > Soundboard
Tap the pencil icon next to Sound Effects
Choose a sound for all servers, or pick one for a specific server
Select your sound, then close the window — your settings will save automatically
If you join with your mic on or muted, the entrance sound will play. If you're deafened, it won’t play.
If you want to add fun or custom sounds to your Discord Soundboard, there are a few easy ways to find them.
Use the compass icon to find servers with soundboards, then join a server to test its sounds. With Nitro, you can even use their Soundboards in your own voice channels without uploading anything.
You can download free sounds from sound effect websites. Be careful with sites that ask you to log in with Discord or connect your account. Only use trusted sources.
If you can’t find the perfect sound, make one yourself. You can take a short clip from a video, a meme, or a sound effect, and edit it using free tools designed specifically for this purpose such as Audacity, Kapwing, or VEED.io. Just make sure to follow the audio requirements as mentioned above.
Discord Soundboard makes voice chats more engaging by letting users play short audio clips. With the right permissions, you can easily add, edit, or remove sounds from your server. If you want to unlock more features like extra sound slots, entrance sounds, or cross-server access, you’ll need Discord Nitro.
PlaySwap offers both Nitro-enabled Discord accounts and affordable Nitro plans, making it easy to get the full Soundboard experience.
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