How to Get a Husky Voice (Without Damaging Your Voice)

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Get an alluring, husky tone with simple techniques you can try now

Co-authored by Amy Chapman, MA and Jennifer Vasquez, BA, MA

Last Updated: August 18, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Getting a Husky Voice
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• What to Avoid
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• Benefits
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• Protecting Your Voice
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• Celebs With Raspy Voices
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• Video

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A husky voice can sound alluring and attractive. If you’re a podcaster or someone who does a lot of public speaking, for instance, having a huskier tone can make you sound more engaging and authoritative. It may also draw people toward you in everyday conversations. It's important to note that a husky voice is not the same as a hoarse voice. Vocal hoarseness is usually a symptom of a medical condition, and attempting to make your voice hoarse can damage your vocal cords. With input from our team of expert voice coaches, we’ll share safe ways to deepen your voice without damaging your vocal cords.

Note: Before attempting any of these voice-altering techniques, consult a doctor or otolaryngologist.

How can I make my voice husky?

To get a husky voice, try vocal fry. Do it by dropping your pitch low and letting out a creaky “ah” sound. There’s also chest resonance, which involves making an “uh” vowel sound at the back of your throat and above your chest.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

How to Get a Husky Voice

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1. 
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   Practice the BRO method. This is a technique that voice and speech coach Patrick Muñoz recommends to deepen your voice. “BRO” stands for “breathe, relax, and open up your mouth,” explains Muñoz. He says to breathe deeply and relax your throat, body, and voice. When you open up your mouth to speak, Muñoz continues, your voice will sound more rounded and resonant. He explains that a higher voice is created when you’re constricting your vocals, so by relaxing them, you can achieve a deeper sound.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Patrick Muñoz is a voice and speech coach who focuses on public speaking and vocal power.

   Amy Chapman, MA, is a voice and speech coach who helps professionals improve and optimize their voice.

   Tanisha Hall is a vocal coach who helps students with their vocal skills at a conservatory level.
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   Try speaking with vocal fry. Vocal fry refers to a creaky or rattling sound in your voice. It happens when your vocal cords vibrate slowly and have minimal airflow. Singers use it to hit lower pitches, and it may help you get a more raspy voice. To do it, drop your pitch very low, relax your throat, and let out a creaky “ah” or “umm” sound.
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   Make a deep “uh” vowel sound while speaking. This is similar to the vocal fry technique, but it doesn’t sound as creaky or rattly. Release an “uh” vowel sound and tap into your lower register, feeling the vibration at the back of your throat and above your chest. Hold the sound for a few seconds. This helps your voice become looser and more relaxed, enhancing the husky quality.
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   Growl while speaking or singing. Vocal growling is a technique some singers use to create a rougher and more aggressive sound. You’ve probably heard a lot of growling in heavy metal music, but you don’t have to reach those intense levels to do it. Begin with a soft hum, then gently clear your throat. Open your mouth into an “uh” shape to relax your jaw and prevent neck tension. Release a slight sigh with a guttural, gritty sound.

   • “Growling makes a squeeze in your throat,” explains voice and speech coach Amy Chapman, MA. “If you’re going to do it, she continues, “make sure that it doesn't hurt or irritate or cause you to cough.”
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   Consult with a vocal coach. Working with a professional can be really helpful if you’re trying to get a raspy voice for singing. A professional can suggest safe practices that can help you reach your goal without harming your vocals. They can also help you with things like breathing exercises, finding your pitch, and diction.
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   Experiment with software and AI tools. There’s all sorts of technology that can modify the sound of your voice. You can use AI voice changers, filters, and different types of plug-ins to make your voice sound huskier in a recording. This can be a quick and convenient solution if you don’t want to risk straining your vocals.
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Section 2 of 5:

What to Avoid

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   Yelling The day after a concert where you screamed your heart out can leave your voice hoarse the next day. However, while yelling can lead to a raspy voice, don’t do it just to get a husky voice. It can damage your vocal folds and lead to swelling in your throat. If done in excess, straining your voice through yelling can create long-term problems, like pitch control and speech difficulties.
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   Whispering to strain your voiceSpeaking in a whisper and projecting can strain your voice, doing more harm than good. Whispering squeezes your vocal cords together and strains them. The friction caused by whispering may help your voice sound raspier. However, regular whispering can cause issues with your vocal cords, such as inflammation, lesions, and development of scar tissue.
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   Drinking alcohol and smoking Vocal coach Tanisha Hall advises not to smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol to make your voice raspy. Although these things can make you sound gravelly, Hall says, they’re unhealthy habits that can negatively impact the flexibility, quality, and tone of your voice.
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Section 3 of 5:

What are the perks of a husky voice?

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   A husky voice may make you sound more attractive. One study used voice recordings of two males and two females, then edited and created different versions of the clips with different pitches. The researchers asked 3,000 participants to choose which recording they found most desirable, and a majority preferred the lower-pitched (aka, huskier) voice recording.

   • The study concluded that speaking with a lower pitch could make you more attractive to long-term partners and even make you come across as more confident.
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   A husky voice may help your acting performances. If you’re an actor, you may have had to adjust how you talk to better match a character’s personality. Maybe you’re taking on a role that requires a gritty voice, or you want to have a comedic vocal effect. Either way, knowing how to sound huskier or raspier can make it easier for you to slip into that voice.
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Section 4 of 5:

Protecting Your Vocal Cords

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1. 
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   Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water to keep your vocal cords lubricated is one of the best things you can do to care for your voice. Dehydration can cause dryness and irritation in your throat. Although you want a husky voice, you don’t want to feel uncomfortable getting there. Drink at least 8 glasses a day.

   • A humidifier is another way to hydrate your vocals. It turns water into a light mist that keeps the air you breathe moist. It's recommended to set it at 30% humidity for the best results.
   • Alternatively, you can inhale steam. Steam can keep your vocal tissues moist and soothe them. You can purchase a personal steamer or breathe in the steam from a hot bath or shower.
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   Mind your posture. Sitting or standing with a slouch for long periods of time can cause tightness in your throat. This reduces airflow and can put unnecessary strain on your vocal cords, which may make it more challenging to perfect that husky sound. Improve your posture by sitting with your feet flat on the floor. Tuck your chin in, keep your head back, and lower your shoulder blades and pinch them together at your back.

   • When standing, keep your feet hip-width apart, don’t lock your knees, and move your head and shoulders back.
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   Rest your voice. It’s important to take breaks when you’re practicing to get a husky voice. Overdoing any of the techniques can cause throat soreness and dryness. Take time to rest and speak in your normal voice. If you’re causing yourself discomfort or pain to get a husky voice, it may be best to stop the raspy exercises and embrace your natural sound.
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Section 5 of 5:

Celebrities With Husky Voices

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1. Many actors have a deep, raspy voice. Sometimes they do it for the roles they’re cast in, but others just have a more naturally raspy tone. Here are a few famous stars known for their husky sound:

   • Lindsay Lohan: Ever since she was a kid, Lindsay Lohan has had a noticeable raspiness to her voice. Check her out in Parent Trap or Mean Girls for proof!
   • Scarlett Johansson: This actress has a low tone that’s so alluring! Films like Her highlight her unique sound.
   • Emma Stone: Emma Stone’s gravelly voice is part of the reason her characters are so humorous. Hear her voice in The Croods and Easy A.
   • Will Arnett: This actor uses a husky voice for comedic effect as Gob Bluth in the TV series Arrested Development.
   • Al Pacino: His gritty tone as Michael Corleone in The Godfather made the character more intimidating.
   • Lauren Bacall: This old Hollywood starlet has a raspy voice that was sultry and mysterious. Movies that show off her vocals include How to Marry a Millionaire and To Have and Have Not.

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