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

White noise has equal energy at every frequency (an even hiss). Pink noise reduces higher frequencies for a softer, balanced sound like steady rain. Brown noise drops the highs further for a deep, rumbling tone like a waterfall.

Which noise colour is best for sleep?

Many people find pink or brown noise more relaxing for sleep because the softer high frequencies are less harsh than white noise. There is no single right answer — try each and pick the one that helps you switch off.

Which noise colour is best for focus?

White or pink noise is commonly used to mask office chatter and keyboard sounds while working. Brown noise suits people who prefer a deeper, less hissy background. Set the volume just high enough to cover distractions.

Is an audio file downloaded to play the noise?

No. The sound is synthesised in real time in your browser with the Web Audio API, so nothing is downloaded and nothing is uploaded.

Can it play continuously?

Yes. The noise loops seamlessly for as long as the tab is open and the device is awake. Disable any auto-sleep on your device if you want it to run all night.

Why does the noise stop when I lock my phone?

Browsers pause Web Audio when a tab is suspended to save battery. Keep the tab in the foreground and prevent the screen from sleeping for uninterrupted playback.

Is white noise safe to listen to?

At a moderate volume it is generally considered safe. As with any audio, avoid high volumes for long periods to protect your hearing, especially with headphones.

White Noise Generator

White, pink and brown noise — generated locally

This generator plays white, pink, or brown noise to mask distractions, aid concentration, or help you wind down for sleep. All three are synthesised live in your browser, so there is no audio file to download and the sound can run for as long as you need without looping artefacts.

How it works

The tool uses the Web Audio API to generate a stream of random samples in real time, then shapes that stream depending on the noise colour you choose. White noise is the raw random signal with equal energy across all frequencies. Pink and brown noise apply filtering that progressively reduces the higher frequencies, producing softer and deeper sounds. The volume slider adjusts a gain node instantly, so changes apply while the sound is playing.

Noise	Character	Often used for
White	Even, bright hiss	Masking sudden sounds
Pink	Softer, balanced, rain-like	Focus and relaxation
Brown	Deep, rumbling, waterfall-like	Sleep and deep calm

Example

To block out an open-plan office, pick pink noise, set the volume so it just covers nearby conversation, and press play. It loops seamlessly through your work session. For sleep, switch to brown noise at a lower volume for a deeper, gentler backdrop.

Nothing is ever sent to a server — the whole generator runs in the page.