What is brown noise?
Brown noise is noise whose energy drops steeply as the pitch rises. Every octave up, the sound gets noticeably quieter. The result is a deep, rumbling sound without the hiss of white noise.
The name doesn't come from the colour brown but from Brownian motion, the random movement of particles that can be used to create this kind of noise. You'll also see it called red noise or Brownian noise.
Why do people choose brown noise?
Because the high tones are missing, many people find brown noise less tiring than white noise. It covers low sounds well, like traffic, a neighbour's music or a humming fridge.
Some people use it to fall asleep, others to concentrate. What feels pleasant differs from person to person, so try it for a few evenings and compare it with pink and white noise.
How to use brown noise in Noisely
- Open Noisely and choose Sleep or Focus.
- Tap the Brown noise mix. It's free and plays all night.
- Set a sleep timer if you like, and the sound fades out gently at the end.
- With Plus you can blend in waves or rain, for example in the Deep sleep mix.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown noise the same as red noise?
Yes, they are two names for the same kind of noise. Brownian noise means the same thing too.
Which is best for sleep: brown, pink or white noise?
There's no single answer. Brown noise is the deepest, white noise the brightest and pink noise sits in between. Pick the one you find most pleasant, at a low volume.
How loud should brown noise be?
Just loud enough to cover other sounds. It doesn't need to be louder than a quiet conversation, and for long listening, quieter is better for your hearing.