White noise basics
Brown noise: what it is and who it is for
Brown noise is a deep, rumbling sound with more weight in the low pitches than white or pink noise. Think of strong wind, a distant waterfall or the hum of a plane.
Brown noise is a steady sound with energy that falls off quickly at higher pitches, giving a deep, soft rumble. It is gentler than white noise and is popular for babies, sleep and focus. It is named after Robert Brown, who described random motion, not after the color.
Noise generator: Brown
Start with a low volume and keep the device away from your baby.
What brown noise sounds like
A deep, smooth roar, like a strong wind, a big waterfall far away, thunder that does not stop, or the inside of an airplane. Compared with white noise, there is little hiss.
Why it is called brown
It is not named for the color brown. It is named after Robert Brown, the botanist who described Brownian motion, the random movement of particles. Brown noise comes from that kind of random walk. Another name is red noise.
How it differs from white and pink noise
Energy falls by about 6 decibels per octave, so each higher octave has a quarter of the power of the one below. Pink noise falls 3 dB per octave and white noise does not fall at all. The result is that brown noise sounds the deepest and softest. See white vs pink vs brown noise.
Brown noise for babies
Parents often find brown noise gentle for newborns. It has some resemblance to the low, muffled sound of the womb, and it has none of the sharp hiss that some babies dislike. It is the base of the app's womb sound. As with any sound, there is no proof that it is better than others, so try it and see. Keep it quiet and across the room. See white noise for newborns and safety.
Brown noise for sleep and focus
Many adults use brown noise to sleep or concentrate and find it less harsh than white noise. Evidence is limited. Some people with ADHD say it helps them focus, and small studies on noise and attention are mixed. See white noise and ADHD and studying.
Is it better than white noise?
It depends on what you want. White noise masks high-pitched sounds better, brown masks low rumbles and feels softer. Try both with the free generator.
Brown noise in Baby White Noise
Brown noise is one of the 20 sounds in the app, along with white noise, pink noise, womb and heartbeat. It plays offline, in the background, with a timer and fade-out.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between brown noise and white noise?
Brown noise is deeper and has less high-pitched hiss. White noise is brighter.
Is brown noise good for babies?
Many parents find it gentle. Evidence for any one sound is limited. Keep it quiet.
Is brown noise the same as red noise?
They are usually treated as the same: a -6 dB per octave spectrum. Some sources use "red" more loosely.
Does brown noise help ADHD?
Some people report it does, and research is small and mixed.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about your baby's sleep and hearing, and follow current safe sleep guidance.