Noise Generator
Steady background noise at the colour you prefer, played here or saved as a file.
Protect your hearing
Pink noise loses 3 dB per octave: equal energy in every octave, softer than white.
Playing live repeats a ten-second loop with a smooth join. The exported file is generated for its whole length and never repeats.
Average level. Brief peaks are higher, so noise sounds louder than a tone at the same number.
Up to 12 hours. Long files are written in pieces, so length costs time, not memory.
Fades start and end the file smoothly, so it does not click. Keep at least a few milliseconds.
How it works
- Choose white, pink or brown noise.
- Set a safe, low level.
- Press Play, or set a duration and create a file.
White, pink and brown noise
White noise has the same energy at every frequency, so it is bright and hissy. Pink noise falls by 3 dB per octave, which gives equal energy in each octave and a softer, more natural sound like steady rain. Brown noise falls by 6 dB per octave and sounds like a deep rumble or distant waterfall. People use them to cover distracting sound, as a steady background for work or sleep, and for testing audio equipment.
Live play and files
Play runs a ten-second loop with a smooth join, so it can go on as long as you like. The exported file is generated for its whole length, up to 12 hours, and never repeats. Stereo can be identical on both channels or different noise in each, which sounds wider.
The level is the average (RMS) level in dBFS and starts at −24 dBFS. Noise is more tiring than a tone at the same number because its peaks are higher, so start with the device volume low and raise it slowly. Fades of half a second avoid a sudden start and end.
Quality
The noise is calculated with a fixed seed, so the same settings give the same file, and the spectrum follows the slope of each colour closely between about 100 Hz and 10 kHz. Compressed formats such as MP3 can change the highest frequencies slightly; choose WAV or FLAC if the exact spectrum matters.
Questions
Which noise is best for sleep or focus?
It is personal. Pink and brown noise are softer than white. Try each at a low volume and keep the one that bothers you least.
Is it safe to play all night?
Keep the volume low, because steady sound at high volume can harm hearing. Do not use headphones for sleep at a high level, and stop if you feel any discomfort.
How long can the file be?
Up to 12 hours. It is written in pieces, so the length costs time but little memory. Use MP3 or FLAC to make long files smaller.
Does it loop without a click?
Live play joins the end of the loop to its start with a crossfade, and the exported file is one continuous piece of noise, so there is no seam in either case. If you want to loop a short exported clip yourself, use the loop tool.