White noise basics
Pink noise: what it is and why people use it
Pink noise sounds softer and more natural than white noise, like steady rain, wind in leaves or a distant waterfall.
Pink noise is a steady sound whose power falls by 3 decibels per octave, so it has more low pitches than white noise and sounds softer, like steady rain. People use it for sleep, focus and baby soothing. Research on its effects is promising in places but limited.
Noise generator: Pink
Start with a low volume and keep the device away from your baby.
What pink noise sounds like
Steady rain on leaves, wind through trees, or the roar of a waterfall. It is smoother than white noise and has a pleasant weight in the low end.
How it is made
Pink noise has equal energy in each octave, rather than in each frequency step. Because octaves get wider as pitch rises, that means the power per hertz falls with frequency, at 3 dB per octave. Many natural sounds, including rain and rustling, are close to pink. It is also called 1/f noise.
Pink noise and sleep: what research says
Some small studies suggest that steady pink noise may deepen sleep for some people, and that bursts of pink noise timed to brain waves may help memory in older adults. Other work finds that continuous noise of any color can reduce certain sleep stages in some people. The overall evidence is limited and mixed, so treat it as something to try, not a proven treatment.
Pink noise for babies
It is a balanced option between bright white noise and deep brown noise. Many babies and toddlers like it. Keep it quiet and across the room. See white noise for babies and volume.
Pink vs white vs brown
See the full comparison or listen in the free generator.
Pink noise in the app
Baby White Noise includes pink noise among its 20 sounds, along with rain and forest rain, which are naturally close to pink.
Frequently asked questions
Is pink noise better than white noise for sleep?
Some people prefer it because it sounds softer. Evidence is mixed. Try both.
Why is it called pink noise?
By analogy with light: pink noise has more low-frequency energy, like pink light has more red. It is also called 1/f noise.
Is pink noise good for babies?
It can be. Keep it quiet and at a distance.
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.