White noise, explained and playable
White noise is the most searched-for sound on the internet that almost nobody can describe. This page explains what it actually is, when it helps, and how to run it well. The machine behind this site generates it live in your browser, free.
What white noise actually is
White noise is random sound with equal energy at every frequency, the audio equivalent of white light. Because each octave upward contains twice as many frequencies as the one below it, most of what you hear lands at the top: a bright, steady hiss, like an untuned FM radio or a strong shower.
That flatness is the point. A signal that covers the whole spectrum evenly leaves no gap for intruding sounds to stand out in.
White vs pink vs brown
| Noise | Spectrum | Sounds like | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | Flat, equal energy per hertz | Bright hiss, radio static | Masking high-pitched interruptions |
| Pink | Falls 3 dB per octave | Steady rain, wind in leaves | Softer sleep masking |
| Brown | Falls 6 dB per octave | Deep rumble, distant surf | Focus, low-frequency comfort |
None of these is "best." They are the same idea with the energy tilted differently, and the right one is the one your ear stops noticing fastest.
What white noise is good for
White noise works by masking. You rarely wake up or lose focus because of steady sound; you react to changes in sound, like a door, a bark, or a sentence you can suddenly understand through a wall. A constant broadband bed raises the floor so those spikes no longer clear it.
- Sleep in noisy places: traffic, thin walls, a partner on a different schedule.
- Focus in open offices, where intelligible speech is the worst distractor.
- Comfort for tinnitus: steady sound makes the ringing less noticeable for many people.
How to use it well
- Set the volume just high enough to cover the interruptions, then stop. Louder is not better; conversation level or below is plenty.
- Keep the source at a distance, not beside your head.
- For babies, follow pediatric guidance: low volume, machine well away from the crib.
- Give any new sound twenty minutes before judging it. Novelty fades; masking stays.
Hear it now
These links open the machine with a mix already loaded. Press play when it opens.
The noise is generated live by the machine, not played from a file: a mathematically even spectrum with no loop and nothing to download.
Frequently asked
Is it safe to sleep with white noise all night?
At a moderate volume, adults commonly run steady noise all night. Keep it at or below normal conversation level and place the source away from your head. For babies, pediatric guidance is to keep machines well away from the crib and at low volume.
Is white or pink noise better for sleep?
Many people find pink noise easier to fall asleep to because it has less high-frequency energy, so it sounds softer. White noise masks slightly better in the upper range. Try both for a few nights and keep the one you stop noticing.
Why does white noise sound harsh?
Equal energy at every frequency means the top octaves dominate what you hear. If white noise feels sharp, that is normal — switch to pink or brown noise, which tilt the energy downward.
Does white noise help with tinnitus?
Steady background sound is a common way to make tinnitus less noticeable, and sound machines are often used for exactly this. It is a comfort measure, not a treatment; an audiologist can advise on your specific case.