Stable soliton solutions for the nonlinear Klein–Gordon equation in condensed matter physics, particle physics, nonlinear optics, solid state physics and the gas dynamics equation ensuing in shock fronts have been established by putting use of the sine-Gordon expansion procedure. We establish the broad-ranging familiar stable wave solutions related with some free parameters, for particular values of which some of the subsisting solutions in the literature are re-established and several fresh solutions are formulated. The contour and 3D shapes are depicted to describe the physical phenomena of the established solutions. Scores of solitary wave solutions are obtained such as, compacton, smooth soliton, anti-bell type solitary wave, bell-type solitary wave, kink and some other new types of solitary wave solutions. The obtained results might play important role in optics, quantum mechanics, mathematical physics and engineering. It is noticeable to inspect that the sine-Gordon expansion procedure is an efficient, competent and straightforward mathematical tool to ascertain exact solitary wave solutions.