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Brown Noise

Brown noise is a steady background sound with most of its energy in the low frequencies. It sounds deep and soft, more rumble than hiss.

Sounds like
A distant waterfall, heavy wind, the hum inside a plane
Energy
Falls 6 dB per octave
Often used for
Low, steady background for long blocks

Hear it next to the others.

Switch between the three and listen for where the energy sits. Generated live in your browser.

Full guideEverything about Brown Noise

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← DeeperFrequency (Hz) · simplifiedBrighter →

What it is

Brown noise is random noise where the energy drops as the pitch goes up, by about 6 dB every time the frequency doubles. The result is a sound dominated by the low end. The name has nothing to do with the color: it comes from Brownian motion, the random movement described by the botanist Robert Brown. It’s sometimes called red noise.

-6 dBper octave, energy falls as the pitch rises

What it sounds like

Think of a distant waterfall, strong wind behind a window or the low hum inside a plane cabin. There’s very little hiss at the top, so it tends to feel warmer and less sharp than white or pink noise.

Deep and rounded, with almost no hiss
Warm rather than bright
Steady, nothing stands out, nothing changes

When people use it

Long study or deep work blocks where you want a background you stop noticing
Covering low, rumbling noise: traffic, ventilation, a washing machine
People who find white noise too sharp after a while
Working without music or lyrics

You might prefer it if…

  1. 01Higher-pitched sounds tire you quickly
  2. 02You like a “wall” of sound that feels close and soft
  3. 03You work for several hours in a row and want something easy to leave on

Compared with the others

Next to pink noise, brown noise has noticeably less treble, it sounds darker and heavier. Next to white noise the difference is bigger: white is bright and hissy, brown is low and rumbly. White noise tends to cover sharp, high sounds like voices better; brown feels softer to sit with.

Sounds likeEnergyOften used for
Brown NoiseA distant waterfall, heavy wind, the hum inside a planeFalls 6 dB per octaveLow, steady background for long blocks
Pink NoiseSteady rain, wind through trees, a calm waterfallFalls 3 dB per octaveA balanced middle ground for long sessions
White NoiseTV static, an air vent, a fan on highFlat, equal at every frequencyStrong masking of voices and sharp sounds

Not for you? Try…

Pink NoiseIf brown feels too muffled or heavyRain SoundsIf you want something natural with a bit of textureAlerts OnlyIf you’d rather work in silence between cues

Luneia Focus

Try Brown Noise in a session.

All Brown Noise sessions in the Finder

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New sessions and guides by email.

Questions

Brown noise, answered.

Is brown noise good for studying?

It is deep, steady and easy to ignore, which covers sudden background sounds. Results are personal, so try it for a few sessions and see.

What is the difference between brown noise and white noise?

Brown noise has more energy in low pitches, so it sounds like a deep rumble or distant waterfall. White noise has equal energy at every pitch, so it sounds brighter and hissier.

Does brown noise help with ADHD?

The research is limited. Steady background sound is something people with ADHD often try to make starting easier, but it is not a treatment, so see it as a tool to try.

Can I listen to brown noise all day?

Keep the volume low and comfortable, and take breaks. If it feels tiring, stop or switch to a different sound.

Where can I listen to brown noise?

Press the play button on this page to hear it, use the free Pomodoro timer with brown noise, or play a full Luneia session on YouTube.

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Guides to go with it

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