Pink noise is picked. Press Play — it keeps going until you stop it or the timer ends.
Stopped.
Your sound and volume are saved in this browser for next time.
About Pink Noise
This page plays pink noise: a steady, even "shhh", like a calm river or steady rain on a roof. Press Play and it keeps going until you stop it, or until the sleep timer ends.
Pink noise sits between white and brown noise. White noise is bright and hissy. Brown noise is a deep rumble. Pink noise has a little of both: the high tones are softer than in white noise, but it still has more air than brown noise. Many people find it the most natural of the three.
The noise is made fresh in your browser each time you press Play. It is a long stretch of noise — more than 20 seconds — joined so smoothly that there is no repeat to hear. Nothing is downloaded.
Features
- Pink noise first — the page opens on pink noise, ready to play
- Five other sounds — white noise, brown noise, rain, ocean waves and a fan, one tap away
- Sleep timer — stop after 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes, 3 hours or 8 hours
- Smooth, no clicks — the sound fades in and out, and the noise has no audible join
- Volume slider — set it once; it is saved for next time
- Plays in the background — switch tabs and it keeps going
- Free and private — no sign-up, no download, no ads in the sound
What makes noise pink?
Every noise is a mix of all tones, from deep to high. The colour says how strong each part is.
- White noise has the same energy at every frequency. Because there are many more high frequencies than low ones, it sounds bright.
- Pink noise gets about 3 decibels softer every octave (each time the frequency doubles). That gives every octave the same energy: 100–200 Hz is as strong as 1,000–2,000 Hz or 5,000–10,000 Hz.
- Brown noise gets about 6 decibels softer every octave — twice as fast — so it is mostly low rumble.
The name comes from light. Light with more of the low (red) part looks pinkish, in the same way that this noise has more of the low part than white noise.
This page makes pink noise with a well-known digital filter (the "Paul Kellet" filter). It follows the 3 dB-per-octave slope closely across the range you can hear.
| White noise | Pink noise | Brown noise | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change per octave | 0 dB (flat) | −3 dB | −6 dB |
| Sounds like | radio hiss, a hair dryer | steady rain, a river | a far waterfall, strong wind |
| High tones | strong | softer | very soft |
| How it feels | bright, sharp | even, natural | deep, warm |
| Many people use it for | loud offices | sleep, study | sleep, long sessions |
Pink noise for sleep and study
For sleep. A steady sound makes sudden noises — a car, a door, a neighbour — stand out less, so they are less likely to bother you. Many people like pink noise for this because it covers well without the hiss of white noise. Set Stop after to 8 hours for a whole night, or to 30 or 60 minutes to help you fall asleep.
For study and work. A steady sound with no words and no tune can cover voices and small noises in an office or a shared room. Keep it low: you want other sounds to fade into the background, not to drown everything.
This page is for relaxing and covering noise. It is not a medical tool and makes no health claims.
Pink noise for checking speakers
Sound engineers use pink noise to check speakers, because every octave gets the same energy. You can use this page for a quick check by ear:
- Play pink noise on one speaker at a time, at the same volume. A speaker that sounds dull or much quieter may have a problem.
- Listen for rattles or buzzing from a speaker or from things around it.
- Compare two pairs of headphones. The one that sounds more even, with no part sticking out, is usually more neutral.
This page plays one channel (mono) at a level that is not calibrated, so it is fine for listening tests, not for exact measurements. To check left and right, use the Left Right Speaker Test.
Listening for hours: good to know
- Keep this tab open. You can switch to another tab or app, but closing the page stops the sound.
- Phones and screen lock. Some phones pause web audio when the screen locks. If that happens, keep the screen on with low brightness, or plug the phone in.
- Keep it quiet. Use the lowest volume that still covers the noise. If you can hear a voice but cannot follow the words, the volume is right.
- Nothing is recorded and nothing is sent anywhere. The sound is made on your device.
Frequently asked questions
What is pink noise?
Pink noise is a steady sound in which every octave has the same energy. It gets about 3 decibels softer each time the frequency doubles. It sounds softer and more natural than white noise, like steady rain.
What is the difference between pink noise and white noise?
White noise has the same energy at every frequency, so it sounds bright and hissy. Pink noise turns the high tones down, so it sounds softer. One tap on this page switches between them.
Pink noise or brown noise — which should I try?
Brown noise is deeper; pink noise has a bit more air. There is no best one. Play each for a few minutes and keep the one you stop noticing.
Is pink noise good for sleep?
Many people use it to fall asleep or to cover noise at night. It is not a treatment for any sleep problem. If you have trouble sleeping often, talk to a doctor.
Can I play pink noise all night?
Yes. Set Stop after to 8 hours or to Never, and keep this tab open. Keep the volume low, and keep the speaker a little away from your head.
Is it free? Does it need the internet?
It is free, with no sign-up. The page needs the internet to open, but the sound is made on your device, so nothing streams while it plays.
Related tools
- Brown Noise — a deeper, softer rumble
- White Noise — the same player, opening on white noise
- Rain Sounds — soft, steady rain for sleep and study
- Fan Noise — a steady fan hum with soft blade flutter
- Ambient Sound Mixer — mix pink noise with rain, wind or a fire
- Sleep Calculator — find a good time to go to bed or wake up
How to use it
- Pink noise is already picked — press Play
- Move the Volume slider until other noises stop pulling your attention
- Set Stop after if you want the sound to end by itself — 8 hours covers a whole night
- Tap another sound (brown noise, rain, fan…) any time to switch
- Press Stop when you are done
