Brown noise

How to use the brown noise generator

1. Press Play. The sound is generated live in your browser and loops without a gap, so there is no video to buffer and no ads in the audio.
2. Set the volume low first. Background sound works best when you barely notice it; raise it just until it covers the noise around you.
3. Pick a sleep timer (15 minutes to 8 hours) if you want it to fade out by itself, and switch between rain, fan, ocean waves, white, pink and brown noise any time while it plays.
4. Keep this tab open. On a phone, leave the screen on or the browser in the background; most devices keep playing.

Nothing is uploaded and no microphone is used.

What is brown noise?

Brown noise (also called Brownian or red noise) is a random sound whose energy falls off quickly as the pitch rises, about 6 dB per octave. In practice that means a deep, soft rumble, like a strong waterfall heard from a distance, a jet engine inside the cabin or a low wind. It has much more bass than white noise, which sounds like a bright hiss, and more than pink noise, which sits in between.

The name comes from Robert Brown, who described Brownian motion, not from the colour. The generator builds brown noise by integrating random values, the same way the mathematical random walk is defined, and loops 10 seconds of it seamlessly.

What people use brown noise for

• Masking noise while working or studying: a steady low sound covers office chatter, traffic and neighbours so sudden noises stand out less.
• Sleeping: many people prefer the deeper tone to white noise because it is less sharp. Use the sleep timer so it fades out after you fall asleep.
• Calming a baby's room or a busy home: keep the volume low and the speaker at a distance (see the safety note below).
• Testing speakers: brown noise is mostly low frequencies, so rattles, port noise and weak bass show up. Use the speaker test for left/right and frequency checks.

This is a sound tool for comfort and masking, not a medical treatment. If you have trouble sleeping or concentrating that does not go away, talk to a professional.

Brown noise vs pink noise vs white noise

• White noise: equal energy at every frequency; bright, like static or a hissing radio.
• Pink noise: energy drops 3 dB per octave; balanced, like steady rain or leaves.
• Brown noise: energy drops 6 dB per octave; deep, like a distant waterfall or an engine rumble.

Switch between them with the buttons above while it plays and keep the one you find easiest to ignore.

Tips for the best sound

• Laptop and phone speakers cannot reproduce deep bass, so brown noise sounds thinner on them. Headphones, a Bluetooth speaker or a small desktop speaker give the full effect.
• Keep the volume at or below conversation level. Keep any speaker for a child at least a metre away and quiet.
• If you hear crackling, lower the volume or the device's bass boost.

Frequently asked questions

Is this brown noise generator free?

Yes. It is free, needs no account and works in any modern browser on computers, phones and tablets.

Does it loop without a gap?

Yes. The sound is generated in your browser and loops with a short crossfade, so you do not hear a click or a restart.

Can I play it for 8 hours?

Yes. Pick the 8 hour timer or no timer. Keep the device plugged in and the tab open.

What is the difference between brown noise and the video on YouTube?

The sound is the same kind of signal, but here there is nothing to buffer, no ad breaks inside the audio and you control volume, timer and left/right balance.

Will it work offline?

After the page has loaded once, the sound is generated on your device, so it keeps playing without a connection.