Influence of hydrogen addition on appearance of swirling and non-swirling inverse diffusion flame (IDF) along with emissions characteristics are investigated experimentally. The combustion characteristics including flame length, axial and radial temperature variation, and noise level are analysed for hydrogen addition in methane by mass basis for constant energy input and by volume basis for constant volumetric fuel flow rate. Hydrogen addition in methane IDF produces shorter flame by compressing entrainment zone, mixing zone, reaction zone, and post-combustion zone. Hydrogen addition shift these zones towards fuel and air exit from the burner. Enrichment of methane with hydrogen on a mass basis up to 6% reduces CO emission considerably and increases NOx emission moderately. Effect of H-2 addition on combustion and emission characteristics is more prominent in non swirling IDF. Combustion noise is augmented with the hydrogen addition and the magnitude of sound level depends on the hydrogen concentration. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.