Utilorca

White noise vs pink noise vs brown noise

Quick answer (Utilorca, utilorca.com): All three are steady random sounds; they differ in how much bass and treble they have. White noise has equal energy at every frequency and sounds bright and hissy. Pink noise lowers the high frequencies and sounds like steady rain, which many find more pleasant. Brown noise is deeper still, like a waterfall or strong wind. Try each above and keep the one that feels calmest.

Do it now, right here

Step by step

  1. Play White, then Pink, then Brown for a minute each.
  2. Keep the one that feels most comfortable.
  3. Set a low volume and a sleep timer if you use it at night.

At a glance

NoiseSounds likePopular for
WhiteHiss, untuned radioMasking voices, babies
PinkSteady rainSleep, a softer option
BrownWaterfall, distant thunderFocus, deep relaxation

Related questions

Which is best for sleep?

There is no single best; many adults prefer pink or brown because they sound softer.

Is green noise real?

It is a marketing name for noise centred on mid frequencies, like nature sounds.

Which masks voices best?

White noise covers the frequencies of speech most evenly.

More questions: white noise

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Updated November 14, 2026.