White, pink, brown and the rest: what each one sounds like and what people use it for. Listen to the main three right here.
White noise
Equal energy at every frequency: a bright, even hiss. Best at covering high-pitched sounds. Used for sleep, babies and privacy. More about white noise.
Pink noise
Less energy in the highs than white: softer and balanced, like steady rain. A popular middle ground for sleep and focus. More about pink noise.
Brown noise
Most of the energy in the lows: a deep rumble, like a waterfall. Loved for focus and by people who find white noise too sharp. More about brown noise.
Green noise
Noise centered on the middle frequencies, often described as the sound of nature or a calm forest. It isn't a strict technical term, but it's popular for relaxing.
In the iPhone app
Blue noise
The opposite of brown: more energy in the highs, so it sounds hissy and sharp. Used in audio work more than for sleep.
In the iPhone app
Violet noise
Even more weighted to the highs than blue. Some people with tinnitus use it because it covers high-pitched ringing.
In the iPhone app
Gray noise
Adjusted to how the human ear hears, so it sounds equally loud at every pitch. Used in hearing tests and by some for tinnitus.
In the iPhone app
Which color should I choose?
There is no best color. For sleep, many start with white or brown; for focus, brown or pink. Play each one for a minute and keep the one you stop noticing. The Brezi iPhone app has all 7 colors and mixes them with rain, fans and more.
Questions
Why are noises named after colors?
By analogy with light: white light has every color, and white noise has every frequency. The other names describe where the energy is concentrated.
Which noise is best for babies?
Parents use white, pink and brown. The volume matters more than the color: see the safety guide.
Can I listen to green, blue, violet and gray noise here?
The browser player has white, pink and brown. All 7 colors are in the Brezi iPhone app.
Brezi