Guide · Sound Calm
Brown noise vs. white noise vs. pink noise.
Updated · BusyAudio
“White noise” is what everyone searches for. Brown noise is what half of them end up keeping. The colours are just a shorthand for how a noise’s energy is spread between low and high frequencies, and that spread changes how it feels to listen to for an hour.
Here’s the quick version, then a few tips for choosing. You can play all three below and decide with your own ears in about thirty seconds.
The short answer
- White noise: equal energy at every frequency. Bright, hissy, “untuned radio.”
- Pink noise: energy drops 3 dB per octave. Balanced and natural, like steady rain.
- Brown noise: energy drops 6 dB per octave. Deep and soft, like a waterfall or a strong wind.
Because our ears are more sensitive to high frequencies, white noise sounds sharp, pink sounds even, and brown sounds dark and muffled, even when they’re the same overall loudness.
What each one is good at
White noise is the best at blending sudden, sharp sounds into the background, which is why it’s popular in nurseries and offices. The trade-off is that some people find it fatiguing after a while.
Pink noise is the compromise. It covers a wide range without much hiss, so it’s a common pick for reading, studying and winding down.
Brown noise has become a favourite for deep focus and sleep. People describe it as a “weighted blanket for your ears”: it doesn’t demand attention and it softens low, rumbly sounds like traffic and neighbours’ TVs.
How to choose (in 30 seconds)
- Play each one for ten seconds at the same, low volume.
- Pick the one you stop noticing first. That’s your colour.
- Too dark? Move up to pink. Too sharp? Move down to brown.
- Still not right? Try Fan / AC Hum or Airplane Cabin: they’re noise with a bit of character.
You can also layer them. A little white noise on top of brown adds “air” without the hiss, and brown noise under gentle rain makes rain sound fuller.
A note on claims
You’ll see big promises online about noise colours. We stick to what people actually report: many find steady noise makes it easier to focus or fall asleep, and preferences vary a lot. If you have a hearing or sleep concern, a doctor is the right person to ask. Keep volumes moderate either way.
Questions
What’s a good brown noise website?
BusyAudio plays brown, white and pink noise free in the browser, with seamless loops, a sleep timer and no ads or sign-up.
Is brown noise better than white noise for sleep?
It’s personal. Many people find brown noise gentler because it has less hiss. Try both at a low volume and keep the one you stop noticing.
Is pink noise the same as rain sounds?
Not quite, but they’re similar. Steady rain has a roughly pink-like spectrum, which is why pink noise is often described as sounding like rain.