White Noise Generator: White, Pink and Brown Noise Online

How to use the white noise generator

Pick a noise colour. White is the classic hiss; pink and brown are softer and deeper, and most people find them easier to sleep to.
Press Play. The sound fades in over two seconds.
Set the Volume as low as still masks the noise you want to cover. For sleep, quieter than a normal conversation is enough.
Turn up Warmth to cut the high hiss and make any colour sound softer.
Choose a Sleep timer if you want the noise to stop by itself. It fades out over the last 30 seconds.

What the results mean

Noise "colours" describe how the sound energy is spread from low to high pitches:

Colour	How it sounds	Good for
White	Equal energy at every frequency; a bright hiss like TV static	Masking speech and sharp sounds, focus
Pink	Energy falls by 3 dB per octave; rain or wind in leaves	Sleep, relaxing background, studies on deep sleep
Brown	Falls by 6 dB per octave; a deep rumble like a waterfall or engine	Sleep, tinnitus relief for some, ADHD focus playlists
Grey	Shaped so every pitch sounds about equally loud to human ears	A neutral, balanced background
Blue	Rises by 3 dB per octave; bright and sharp	Short masking of high sounds
Violet	Rises by 6 dB per octave; very high hiss	Some tinnitus sound therapy

The spectrum under the colours shows the live sound from low (left) to high (right) pitches, so you can see the difference between the colours.

White noise for sleep, babies and focus

Steady noise works by masking: a sudden sound such as a door, traffic or a snore stands out less against a constant background, so it is less likely to wake you or pull your attention. For adults, pink and brown noise are usually more pleasant than white. For babies, keep the device at least 2 metres from the cot and the level low, around 50 dB (a quiet conversation); paediatric guidance warns against loud machines placed right next to an infant. For work, many people prefer brown noise or white noise at a low level through headphones.

Playing noise all night

On a computer or Android phone the noise keeps playing with the screen off as long as the tab stays open. iPhone and iPad pause web audio when the screen locks, so keep the screen on (Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock > Never while you use it) and turn the brightness down. To check that your speaker handles low rumble without buzzing, try the bass test; for single tones use the tone generator.

Common problems and fixes

The noise stops when my phone locks

iPhone and iPad suspend web audio when the screen locks. Keep the screen on with a low brightness, or use a computer or Android phone, which keep playing in the background.

I hear a regular pattern or click

The noise loops every 12 seconds with a cross-fade, so there should be no click. If you hear one, your device may be busy: close other tabs. A low warmth setting also hides any small pattern in the hiss.

The sound is too harsh

Switch to pink or brown noise, turn up Warmth to cut the high frequencies, and lower the volume. Small phone speakers make white noise sound harsher than headphones or a larger speaker.

Frequently asked questions

Is white noise good for sleep?

Many people sleep better with a steady background sound because it masks noises that would otherwise wake them. Pink and brown noise are often found more relaxing than white.

What is the difference between white, pink and brown noise?

White noise has equal energy at all frequencies and sounds like a hiss. Pink noise has less high-frequency energy and sounds like rain. Brown noise has even less and sounds like a deep rumble.

Can I use white noise for a baby?

Yes, at a low volume and with the speaker at least 2 metres from the baby. Use the sleep timer so it does not play loudly all night.

Is brown noise good for focus?

Many people with and without ADHD say brown noise helps them concentrate because it covers distractions without being shrill. Research is still limited, so try it and see.

Does the noise loop?

Yes. Each colour is a 12 second stereo recording generated in your browser that loops with a cross-fade, so it plays without gaps for as long as you like.

Can white noise damage hearing?

At sensible levels, no. Keep it below about 60-70 dB (a normal conversation) and lower for sleep or babies. Avoid loud noise through headphones for hours.

Keep the volume moderate, especially through headphones and for babies or long listening. Long exposure to loud sound can damage hearing. White noise is not a medical treatment; for ongoing sleep problems or tinnitus, talk to a doctor.