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 | Spectral shape | Often used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | Even, bright hiss | Flat across all frequencies | Masking sudden sounds, tinnitus relief |
| Pink | Softer, balanced, rain-like | −3 dB per octave | Focus, relaxation, sleep |
| Brown | Deep, rumbling, waterfall-like | −6 dB per octave | Deep calm, sleep, meditation |
Choosing the right colour
The practical difference between the three colours is how harsh they sound at high volume. White noise has as much energy in the higher frequency ranges as the lower ones, so it can feel like a sharp hiss if the volume is turned up. Pink and brown noise roll off the high frequencies progressively, making them gentler on the ear for extended sessions.
- White noise is the most effective at masking sudden sharp sounds (a door slam, a notification ping) because it has energy across the full range that covers those transient frequencies.
- Pink noise sits in a middle ground that many people find easiest to habituate to — it is present but not intrusive, similar to steady rainfall on a window.
- Brown noise is the deepest option. Its lower centre of gravity produces a rumble that sounds like a river, a motorway in the distance, or a low-speed fan. Many people find it the most relaxing for sleep because it mimics natural low-frequency ambient sound.
There is no universally “best” colour — preference varies significantly between people. If you are not sure, start with pink noise and switch to brown if you want something deeper, or white if you need sharper sound masking.
Practical use cases
Open-plan office. Set pink or white noise at a volume just high enough to cover the nearest conversation without being distracting itself. The goal is to raise the ambient noise floor so individual voices blend rather than stand out.
Working from home. Brown noise at a moderate level creates a consistent backdrop that makes intermittent household sounds (neighbours, passing traffic) less intrusive than silence.
Sleep. Keep the volume low — much lower than you would for a focus session. The noise floor just needs to be above the quietest sounds in your environment, not above conversation. If your device screen brightens the room, keep the tab in the background and use your device’s auto-brightness controls.
Tinnitus relief. White or pink noise at a comfortable level can reduce the perceived contrast between the quiet of a room and tinnitus sounds. This is a well-documented use case; consult an audiologist for a personalised approach.
Nothing is ever sent to a server — the whole generator runs in the page. Disable any auto-sleep setting on your device if you want the sound to run overnight.