This paper investigates the sensitivity of the plane‐wave reflection coefficient to the small‐scale random layering in turbidite sediment. A Monte Carlo algorithm is used to generate many numerical realizations of a finely layered stochastic turbidite model. The complex reflection coefficientRis computed for each realization so that a distribution ofRvalues is produced at each frequency and grazing angle. The scatter in theRvalues is a measure of the sensitivity ofRto small‐scale turbidite layering. Below 100–200 Hz,Ris relatively insensitive to the details of the layering; at higher frequencies the detailed layering is important. To a rough approximation, the sensitivity to layering is independent of the grazing angle. The lack of sensitivity to small‐scale layering forf<100–200 Hz indicates that long wavelengths ’’average out’’ the fine structure and suggests thatRcan be calculated at low frequencies from a ’’smooth’’ geoacoustic model (i.e., a model with no small‐scale layering). Forf≳100–200 Hz, the reflection coefficient is sensitive to small‐scale turbidite layering and hence cannot be accurately calculated from a smooth model.