White, Pink and Brown Noise: What Is the Difference?
"White noise" is often used loosely for any background sound you leave playing, such as rain or waves. But the term has a precise meaning, and there are several kinds of noise named after colours. The difference lies in the balance between high and low frequencies.
White noise
Noise in which every pitch, from low to high, is present at the same strength. The name comes from the way all colours of light mixed together make white. Think of the hiss of a television after the broadcast has ended. Human ears are sensitive to high frequencies, so white noise sounds bright and sharp. It is used to mask high-pitched sounds such as speech, but it tires the ears easily when played loud for a long time.
Pink noise
Noise that gets gradually weaker towards the high frequencies, balanced so that every octave carries the same energy. It sounds softer and more even than white noise. Steady rain, or leaves rustling in the wind, has a similar character.
Brown noise
Noise in which the highs fall away faster still, leaving the low frequencies in charge. The name comes not from the colour but from Brownian motion. It is deep and heavy, like a distant waterfall, heavy surf or the hum inside an aircraft cabin. Many people find it easy to leave on for a long time because it is so unobtrusive.
At a glance
| Type | Character | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| White noise | Bright and sharp | A television after broadcast, a spray can |
| Pink noise | Soft and even | Steady rain, rustling leaves |
| Brown noise | Low and heavy | A distant waterfall, heavy surf, an aircraft cabin |
The sounds on this site
This site has separate sliders for white noise and brown noise. There is no pink noise slider; rain fills that place. The other nature sounds are made from the same raw noise, shaped in different ways.
- Rain — an even sound with plenty of high frequencies, plus drops tapping on the window.
- Wind and waves — centred on the low frequencies, with a strength that changes slowly.
- Stream — the upper-middle frequencies, fluttering quickly.
How to mix them
If the rain sounds sharp, lower the rain and raise the brown noise. The whole mix shifts towards low and warm.
To mask voices, add a little white noise. Around 15–25 is enough; more than that soon becomes tiring.
On small speakers brown noise is hard to hear, because they cannot reproduce low frequencies. Try earphones or an external speaker.
Which colour is best differs from person to person. Listen to a few combinations and choose the one that feels comfortable. Ready-made mixes are described in Using the mood presets.