Ask HN: Best Genre of Music for Coding?

#1

Post by riyanapatel » Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 9:36 PM UTC

Let's settle the discussion. Does coding have a certain soundtrack for its best results??

Re: Ask HN: Best Genre of Music for Coding?

#2

Post by jleyank » Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 9:49 PM UTC

When I’m trying to create new stuff, it has to be no-voice. Multiple genres are ok, but words are distracting. Quiet always works, too. For wtf debugging, anything with a hard edge is good. (Voice or not). I’m either idling awaiting inspiration or chasing an idea. If the latter is deep enough, the music sorta goes away.

Re: Ask HN: Best Genre of Music for Coding?

#3

Post by sexyman48 » Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 10:05 PM UTC

I believe every study has shown music of any kind results in a 0x to 0.5x productivity hit.

Re: Ask HN: Best Genre of Music for Coding?

#4

Post by codingdave » Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 10:17 PM UTC

There is nothing to settle - it is all about personal preference. You would also need to define what "best results" even means. Measuring dev productivity is a notoriously bad idea, so I just go with "That which makes me enjoy the work the most."

That being said, I waffle between 90s singer/songwriter music, 80s alternative rock, and a constant soundtrack of Joan Armatrading.

Re: Ask HN: Best Genre of Music for Coding?

#5

Post by jasonthorsness » Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 10:20 PM UTC

sexyman48 wrote: post #3

I believe every study has shown music of any kind results in a 0x to 0.5x productivity hit.

I agree silence is best for concentration; it's also reflected in the meme "turning down the radio in your car to see better".

Re: Ask HN: Best Genre of Music for Coding?

#6

Post by 4d4m » Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 10:38 PM UTC

electronic

Re: Ask HN: Best Genre of Music for Coding?

#7

Post by khedoros1 » Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 11:13 PM UTC

Depending on my mood, anything from death metal to elevator-music jazz. I usually settle on some kind of house/trance with a pulsing beat, though. That's mostly when I know roughly what I'm writing, and I'm just getting the code in place.

And then, after working like that for a couple hours, my brain flips and I need as close to perfect silence as I can get, so I pause the music.

Re: Ask HN: Best Genre of Music for Coding?

#8

Post by bigote » Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 11:15 PM UTC

Check out: musicforprogramming.net

Re: Ask HN: Best Genre of Music for Coding?

#9

Post by taylodl » Tue, Apr 29, 2025, 12:43 PM UTC

For me it's instrumental. Language distracts me. I also do well with something that has a groove. Some type of funk seems to work really well. YouTube has all kinds of instrumental funk music that works well.

Re: Ask HN: Best Genre of Music for Coding?

#10

Post by taylodl » Tue, Apr 29, 2025, 12:45 PM UTC

jasonthorsness wrote: post #5

sexyman48 wrote: post #3

I believe every study has shown music of any kind results in a 0x to 0.5x productivity hit.

I agree silence is best for concentration; it's also reflected in the meme "turning down the radio in your car to see better".

We've returned to loud offices now. Instrumental music takes less of a productivity hit than being surrounded by loud conversations and office noise.