Uses for noise generators

Focus: Many people find pink or brown noise helps mask distracting sounds and improve concentration.
Sleep: White or brown noise can mask sudden noises that might disturb sleep.
Tinnitus masking: Some people with tinnitus find broadband noise helpful for masking the ringing sound.
Audio testing: White noise is used by audio engineers to test speaker frequency response.

Noise types explained

White noise: equal energy per frequency across the spectrum. Sounds harsh and hissy because the ear is more sensitive to high frequencies. Think of static TV snow.
Pink noise: equal energy per octave rather than per Hz. Sounds more natural and balanced - like steady rain or a waterfall. Widely used for focus and sleep.
Brown / red noise: even more energy concentrated at low frequencies. Deep, rumbling sound like a strong wind or distant thunder. Some people find it more relaxing than pink noise.
Grey noise: shaped to sound perceptually flat using the equal-loudness contour (ISO 226). Compensates for the ear's varying sensitivity across frequencies so all pitches feel equally loud.

Scientific context

The "color" naming convention is an analogy to light - white noise contains all frequencies like white light contains all colors. The mathematical relationship is described by the power spectral density: S(f) ∝ 1/f^α. White noise has α = 0 (flat spectrum); pink noise has α = 1 (1/f); brown noise has α = 2 (1/f²).

Pink noise (1/f) is remarkable because it appears throughout nature: heartbeat variability, neuronal firing patterns, financial market fluctuations, and even music all exhibit approximate 1/f power spectra. This is why pink noise sounds organic while white noise sounds artificial.

Hearing health note

Listening to noise for extended periods at high volume can cause permanent hearing damage. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends keeping continuous listening below 70 dB SPL. At typical headphone listening levels (85 dB), damage can begin with just 2 hours of daily exposure. Keep the volume low enough that you can easily hold a conversation over it.

Privacy

Noise is generated entirely in your browser using the Web Audio API. No network connection is required.