ASMR on TikTok consists of videos centred on soft sounds and calm movements. Think whispering, tapping or folding paper. Some people find that pleasant or feel a slight tingling sensation. Others do not. Want to discover what you think of it? Start with a video featuring one type of sound and listen at a low volume.
Below, you can read more about ASMR sounds and follow the steps to make a video yourself.
What does ASMR mean on TikTok?
ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. In the explanation of ASMR from NPO Kennis it refers to soothing sounds and images. How you experience them differs from person to person.
On TikTok, ASMR is also a name for this type of video. It centres on the sound or calm action, not on a story or song. Think of hands filmed up close as they slowly turn a page. You hear the paper and see where the sound comes from.
Are you also curious about other sides of the app? Then read what people enjoy about TikTok.
Which sounds can you use for an ASMR video?
Whispering and tapping are examples you come across on the TikTok ASMR collection page Want to record something yourself? Choose a sound that is easy to repeat. What sounds pleasant differs from one listener to another.
| Sound | Example to try | What should you pay attention to? |
|---|---|---|
| Soft tapping | Tap your fingertips on a wooden box. | Keep the taps about equally soft. |
| Rustling paper | Slowly fold a blank sheet of paper. | Move calmly and avoid loud tearing sounds. |
| Whispering | Quietly describe how you wrap a book. | Do not breathe directly into the microphone. |
| Brushing | Brush a clean, soft brush over fabric. | Listen to whether you can hear the sound without turning the volume up much higher. |
| Pouring water | Slowly pour water into a cup. | Keep your phone out of reach of splashes. |
Use one sound for your first video. That way, you can better hear what you want to adjust. If you tap, whisper and pour water at the same time, it is more difficult.
Why do people watch ASMR on TikTok?
Some people enjoy the calm: no demanding conversation, just attention to one small sound. Others like watching something very precise, such as folding paper neatly. So you do not need to feel a tingling sensation to enjoy an ASMR video.
Try what suits you. Do you dislike whispering? Choose a video without a voice. Are loud taps startling? Look for a softer sound or stop listening.
ASMR can be a calm moment for yourself, but it is not relaxing for everyone. It is not a treatment for anxiety or sleep problems.
How can you make an ASMR video for TikTok yourself?
You can start with your phone, a quiet place and one object. You do not need a separate microphone to try it. First make a short test before buying anything extra.
- Choose one action. For example, fold a sheet of paper. Have everything ready so you do not have to search for anything while filming.
- Listen to the room. Can you hear a television, fan or traffic? If possible, find a quieter place. Turn off your own devices if they interfere with the sound.
- Place your phone securely. Film vertically and keep your hands and the object in the frame. Make sure your hand or the stand does not cover the microphone.
- Make a short test. For example, record for fifteen seconds. That is a length to practise with, not a TikTok rule.
- Listen back. Can you barely hear the paper? Move the phone a little closer. Does it sound loud or crackly? Move more gently or place the phone a little farther away.
- Record your video. Start directly with the action. Cut out unintended bumps and long moments when you are looking for something, if your video editing app allows it.
- Write what you are letting people hear. For example: “Slowly folding paper, without speaking.” This tells the viewer what they will hear.
An exercise to try: film twenty seconds while folding a sheet in half and smoothing the fold with your fingers. Then listen to the difference between the folding and the smoothing. Adjust one thing and record again.
Would you rather make a long, calm recording? Then see whether YouTube or TikTok is right for your video . If you cannot choose the length you want on TikTok, read why you cannot make a 10 minute video on TikTok.
What should you consider about sound and privacy when making ASMR?
Listen back to your recording at a comfortable volume. Do not turn the sound up so high that an unexpected tap becomes unpleasant. Headphones can help you hear small background noises, but keep the volume low with them as well.
It is best to leave out music when the soft sound is central. Also listen carefully to the beginning and end. Putting down or picking up your phone can create a loud bang.
Before posting, check the entire image and the background sound. Is there an address on an envelope or a name on a school notebook? Can you hear a conversation in the room? Use blank paper and record again if private information can be seen or heard.
Ask for permission before showing someone recognizably on camera or recording them audibly in your video. If you also publish your own content, our TikTok services includes packages for views and followers. The product pages show the available quantities and prices.
