Two hands resting gently on a knee, a person seated on a cane chair by a sunny window
Illustrative image

Short answer: a cracking sound in the knee is usually normal when it is painless, according to the NHS.[1]

Cracking sound in the knee: what to know

When it's not

See a doctor if the knee locks, gives way, or painfully clicks, or if the noise comes with swelling, pain or a feeling of instability.[1] Some people with osteoarthritis notice a grating or crackling sound along with stiffness.[2]

Sources

  1. NHS, Knee pain
  2. NHS, Osteoarthritis

Written by the Prife iTeraCare team and last reviewed on 9 October 2026. This is general information, not medical advice, and it does not replace your doctor or physiotherapist. A session is a wellness experience, not a medical treatment.

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