White noise basics
White vs pink vs brown noise
All three are steady, hushing sounds. They differ in how much deep sound they have.
White noise is bright and hissy, pink noise is balanced like steady rain, and brown noise is deep and rumbling. White covers high-pitched noise best, brown is gentlest, and pink sits in the middle. For babies, many parents start with brown or pink, but there is no proven best.
At a glance
| White | Pink | Brown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Static, hiss | Steady rain, wind | Deep rumble, thunder |
| Slope | Flat | -3 dB per octave | -6 dB per octave |
| Feels | Bright, sharp | Balanced, natural | Deep, soft |
| Masks best | Speech, high sounds | General background | Low rumbles, traffic |
| Risk of harshness | Highest | Medium | Lowest |
White noise
Best when you need to cover a lot, including voices and sharp sounds. Can feel harsh at higher volumes. See white noise.
Pink noise
A comfortable all-rounder. Natural, like rain. See pink noise.
Brown noise
Deep, round and calm. Popular for newborns and adults who dislike hiss. See brown noise.
Which for babies?
No evidence that one is best. Try brown or pink first for newborns, white if you need more covering, and keep the same sound for a few nights. See sounds by age.
Which for adults?
Choose by comfort. Pink and brown are less harsh. For studying, mid-level volume and a smooth sound work best. See sleep and studying.
Try them
Switch between them in the free generator and hear it for yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown noise better than white noise?
It is softer and deeper. Better depends on what you want.
Is pink noise the same as rain?
It is close. Rain is naturally near pink.
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.