How to use the white noise generator
This free noise generator plays white, pink or brown noise directly in your browser. Use it to mask background sounds while you work or sleep, to test speakers and headphones, or to help a baby settle. There is nothing to download and the sound is created on your own device.
- Set the volume low first. Noise contains a lot of energy and can sound louder than you expect.
- Choose a colour of noise. White is bright, pink is balanced, brown is deep. Press the same button again to stop it.
- Choose the output if you only want sound in the left or right channel, for example to check one speaker.
- Set a sleep timer of 15 minutes to 2 hours. The noise stops automatically when the timer ends.
Keep the tab open while the noise plays. On phones, the screen can turn off, but some browsers pause sound when you switch to another app.
White, pink and brown noise compared
| Type | How it sounds | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| White noise | Bright, hissy, like a detuned radio | Masking speech and sharp sounds, testing tweeters |
| Pink noise | Softer and fuller, like steady rain | Focus, sleep, speaker and room calibration |
| Brown noise | Deep rumble, like a waterfall or distant thunder | Sleep, relaxing, masking low traffic noise |
How the noise is generated
White noise is a stream of random values. Every frequency gets the same amount of energy per hertz, so the high frequencies – which cover far more hertz – dominate and the sound is bright.
Pink noise passes white noise through a filter that lowers the level by 3 dB for every doubling of frequency (each octave). Each octave then has equal energy, which matches how human hearing works, so it sounds more natural.
Brown noise (also called red or Brownian noise) adds up the random values over time, like a random walk. Its level falls by 6 dB per octave, leaving mostly low frequencies.
The live spectrum above the buttons shows the real output of the generator. With white noise the bars rise towards the right; with brown noise most of the energy is on the left.
Using noise to test speakers and headphones
Noise is very useful for checking audio equipment because it contains every frequency at once. Play pink noise through one channel at a time: both sides should sound the same. A side that sounds duller has a weak tweeter; a side that sounds thin may have a damaged woofer or a loose cable. For a full set of checks, use the speaker test or the headphone test.
Supported devices and browsers
- ComputersChrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.
- Phones and tabletsChrome on Android, Safari and Chrome on iPhone and iPad.
- OutputAny speakers, headphones, earbuds or Bluetooth device connected to your device.
Troubleshooting
- No sound: check that the device is not muted and that the browser tab is not muted (right-click the tab).
- iPhone is silent: turn off silent mode with the switch or Action button on the side of the phone.
- Sound stops on phone: keep the browser in the foreground; some phones pause web audio in the background to save battery.
- Crackling: lower the volume. Crackling at moderate volume can mean a damaged speaker.
Related tools
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Start testMicrophone Test
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Start testBrown Noise Generator
Deep, soft brown noise for sleep and focus, with a sleep timer.
Start testFrequently asked questions
Is white noise good for sleep?
Many people find steady noise helps them fall asleep because it covers sudden sounds such as traffic or voices. Most people prefer pink or brown noise for sleep because white noise can sound harsh. Keep the volume low and use the sleep timer.
Is it safe to use white noise for babies?
Paediatric advice is to keep any sound machine well away from the crib and at a low volume, roughly the level of a quiet conversation or lower. Use a timer rather than playing it all night at high volume.
What is the difference between white noise and brown noise?
White noise has equal energy at every frequency and sounds bright. Brown noise has much more energy in the low frequencies and sounds deep and soft.
Does the noise loop or repeat?
The generator creates a 10-second block of random noise and repeats it. Because the content is random, the repetition is very hard to hear.
Does this work offline?
Once the page has loaded, the noise is generated on your device, so it keeps working even if your internet connection drops.