About Lofi ATC
The story behind the internet's favorite air traffic control radio
what it is
Lofi ATC is a free web app that blends smooth lofi beats with live air traffic control audio from JFK Airport in New York. It's designed for people who want background music that's interesting enough to keep you company, but calm enough to let you focus.
No accounts. No ads. No interruptions. Just press play.
how it works4 inputs
- atc
- JFK Tower, live
- Real-time audio from JFK's control tower, streamed 24/7 by LiveATC.net. You'll hear pilots and controllers coordinating takeoffs, landings, and ground movements. The scanner draws a bar for each second the feed carries signal.
- lofi
- Playlist, 30 tracks
- A rotating selection of royalty-free lofi tracks that blend with the radio chatter. Skip tracks anytime, or pick one from the list to find the vibe that works for you.
- mix
- Faders, mute, solo
- Each channel has its own fader, so you set the balance: more radio chatter, or more music. Mute either one, or solo one to hear it alone. The meters show the real level of each channel.
- video
- Four background loops
- Choose from flight footage, a baggage claim, blue clouds, or a cozy lofi animation. The video is muted and runs only while the desk plays.
why people use it
- Focus and study
- The steady rhythm of radio communication creates a productive backdrop without lyrics to distract you.
- Work background
- Pairs well with deep work sessions. The ambient chatter fills silence without demanding attention.
- Sleep aid
- The calm, professional voices and soft beats help some people wind down and fall asleep.
- Aviation fans
- If you love planes, listening to real tower communications while working is a dream.
keyswhile the desk has focus
- →
- move from the navigator into the desk
- space
- play or pause both channels
- [ ]
- previous or next track
- ↑ ↓ then ↵
- pick a track from the playlist
- a, l
- mute the atc or lofi channel
- ⇧a, ⇧l
- solo a channel
- v
- switch the background video
- r
- reconnect the feed after it drops
faq5
- What airport is this?
- You're listening to live air traffic control from JFK Tower in New York City — one of the busiest airports in the United States.
- Is this legal?
- Yes. Air traffic control frequencies are public and unencrypted. LiveATC.net has been streaming these feeds legally since 1999. We simply layer lofi music on top of the public feed.
- Can I use this while streaming on Twitch or YouTube?
- The lofi tracks are royalty-free, and ATC audio is public domain. You're welcome to use Lofi ATC as background audio for your streams.
- Why JFK?
- JFK handles over 1,000 flights daily, which means there's almost always interesting chatter. The mix of international carriers, varied accents, and complex approach patterns makes it uniquely engaging.
- Why is lofi + ATC so relaxing?
- There's something oddly calming about professional radio communication — the steady cadence, the lack of emotion, the predictable call-and-response pattern. Combined with lofi beats, it creates a focused ambiance that many find perfect for deep work.
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Built by Tony Gaeta in Tampa Bay.