What to look for
- No lyrics. Words make your brain follow a story.
- A slow, sparse beat. Busy drums keep your mind switched on.
- A warm, rounded tone. Bright, sharp sounds feel awake.
- Steady volume. A loud chorus or sudden drop can wake you.
- No ads or interruptions. One reason people leave streaming apps for a nap.
How we rate the songs here
Every song on this site gets a doze rating from 1 to 5, worked out from its real audio: average loudness, how dense the beat is, how bright the tone is, how much the volume changes and the tempo. Quieter, sparser, warmer, steadier songs rate higher. The five levels are Light Lift, Easy Drift, Soft Doze, Deep Doze and Full Fade.
About one song in eight, the most awake ones, was left out of the library entirely.
Choose by length and by purpose
For a timed nap, use the music built for that length: 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes or 90 minutes. Each one settles you, holds you soft, then lifts a little at the end so waking is gentler.
For a moment, try power nap, afternoon, after work, travel or focus reset.
Volume
Keep it low. You should still be able to hear a quiet room. Loud music is more likely to keep you awake, and the music should never be louder than the wake chime.
Lofi, ambient or classical?
Lofi can work if it is slow and soft. Ambient and slow piano suit most people best. The songs here sit between lofi and ambient: soft drums or no drums, warm keys and long pads. All are instrumental.
Questions
What kind of music is best for napping?
Slow, quiet, instrumental music with a steady volume. Lyrics, loud passages and busy beats make it harder to rest.
Is lofi good for napping?
Slow, soft lofi is. Choose songs without a strong beat. Every song on this site has a doze rating so you can pick the softest.
Can I use these songs for free?
Yes. They are by Purrple Cat and licensed under CC BY 4.0. You can stream, download and use them with credit.
General information, not medical advice. If you are very tired all the time, or nap a lot and still feel awful, talk to a doctor. The nap timer is a gentle wake-up, not a safety alarm: set a backup alarm.
