Löyly (pronounced roughly "LOH-oo-lee") is the Finnish word for the steam and heat that rise when you throw water onto hot sauna stones. In Finland it is considered the heart of a traditional sauna session. This guide explains what löyly means, how to make it safely and which equipment you need.
What does löyly mean?
In everyday use, löyly means the wave of hot, humid air you feel after water hits the stones. Some Finns also use the word for the "spirit" of the sauna, which is why you will see it in sauna names and restaurants. The short answer for search purposes: löyly is sauna steam, and the way you make and enjoy it is a core part of the Finnish sauna tradition.
How löyly works
A traditional sauna heater warms a basket of stones to a high temperature. When you ladle water over them, it turns to steam almost instantly. That steam raises the humidity in the room for a short time, and moist air transfers heat to your skin more effectively than dry air. The thermometer reading hardly changes, but the heat feels sharper for a minute or two. For typical ranges, see our guide to how hot a sauna should be.
How to make löyly
- Start with a hot sauna. Let it fully warm up first so the stones are properly hot.
- Fill a bucket with clean water. A wooden or heat-safe bucket and a long-handled ladle keep your hands away from the heater.
- Add a small ladle at a time. Pour slowly onto the stones, not onto the heater's metal casing or elements.
- Wait and feel it. Let the steam spread before you add more. Add another ladle only if you want more.
- Sit higher for more heat. Steam rises, so the upper bench feels hotter than the lower one.
Go gently. A few small ladles are plenty for most people, and you can always add more. If the heat feels uncomfortable, move to a lower bench or leave the room.
What you need
- A sauna that allows steam. Traditional saunas, both electric and wood-fired, are designed for it. Browse traditional saunas.
- A heater with stones. See our electric sauna heaters and wood-burning sauna stoves.
- A bucket and ladle. Keep them in the sauna so water is always within reach.
Always check the product listing and the manual before pouring water on any heater, because some models are sold as dry-only. Never pour water on an infrared heater, since infrared saunas are designed for dry heat. If you are unsure which you want, read wet vs dry sauna and infrared vs traditional saunas.
Can you make löyly in an infrared or steam room?
No. Löyly depends on water meeting hot stones. Infrared saunas have no stones, and a steam room is filled with steam by a generator instead. Our sauna vs steam room guide explains the difference.
Löyly etiquette and safety
- In a shared sauna, ask others before adding water.
- Stay hydrated and keep sessions short at first. See how long to stay in a sauna.
- Speak to your doctor before using a sauna if you are pregnant or have a heart or blood-pressure condition.
Ready to build a sauna that can make löyly? Start with our guide to the types of saunas.
