White Noise
White noise has the same energy at every frequency. It sounds bright and hissy — like static or an air vent — and gives a strong masking feel.
- Sounds like
- TV static, an air vent, a fan on high
- Energy
- Flat — equal at every frequency
- Often used for
- Strong masking of voices and sharp sounds
Hear it next to the others.
Switch between the three and listen for where the energy sits. Generated live in your browser.
The preview is generated in your browser. Start with your volume low.
What it is
White noise is random noise with equal energy at every frequency, the way white light contains every color. Because there are far more frequencies in the upper octaves than in the lower ones, most of what you hear sits high up — which is why it sounds bright.
What it sounds like
Static on an untuned radio, a strong air vent or a fan on its highest setting. It’s crisp and clear, with a lot of hiss. At the same volume it can feel more intense than pink or brown noise.
- Bright and hissy
- Crisp and very even
- Strong — it covers a lot of detail
When people use it
- Busy places where voices and sharp sounds pull your attention
- Short, intense blocks where you want a clear “on” signal
- People who like a clean, crisp background
- Covering high-pitched noise like chatter or clicking
You might prefer it if…
- You need the strongest masking feel of the three
- Lower sounds feel muddy or heavy to you
- You keep the volume low and just want a constant layer of hiss
Compared with the others
White is the brightest of the three. Pink keeps the same steady character but softens the hiss; brown removes most of it and leaves a low rumble. If white feels tiring after a while, pink is usually the next step.
Not for you? Try…
Luneia Focus
Try White Noise in a session.
Letters