Crackles Lung Sounds

Welcome to our website's crackles lung sounds page. On this page we provide a definition of crackles, including its clinical significance. We then compare fine and coarse crackles with audio recordings and text. Finally, there is a link to the crackles training lessons available on this site.

Crackles Lung Sounds Definition

Crackles are abnormal lung sounds characterized by discontinuous clicking or rattling sounds. Crackles can sound like salt dropped onto a hot pan or like cellophane being crumpled or like velcro being torn open.

Fine vs Coarse Crackles

Fine Crackles

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Listen to these fine crackles. The sound is like salt added to a hot pan.

Coarse Crackles

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These coarse crackles are lower in pitch and have increased volume intensity. Often they have longer duration.

Crackles Lung Sound Reference Guide

Our auscultation guide provides quick access to both fine and coarse crackles sounds. The guide pages provide waveforms with a moving cursor that is synchronized to the audio recording. In addition, listening tips are available.
Fine Crackles

Coarse Crackles

Crackles Lessons

Lessons on fine and coarse crackles are available in our free Basics of Lung Sounds course. We suggest taking the full course (about 15-20 minutes), but the lessons can be used without the full course.

Basics of Lung Sounds