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Pink noise
Updated 22 October 2026
Pink noise is the middle ground between white and brown. It sounds like steady rain or wind through leaves: full, but not sharp. Each octave has the same energy, which matches how our ears hear pitch, so many people find it the most natural noise. Press play to hear it.
Press play
Play opens the sound masker with this mix already loaded, so you can hear it and shape it.
How to set it up
- Press Play on Pink noise.
- If you want it closer to brown, open it in the sound masker and lower the sliders from 2k up.
- If you want it closer to white, raise those sliders toward the middle.
- Add a little Fan or Rain to make it feel like a room.
Why pink noise sounds balanced
Our ears hear pitch in octaves. White noise puts the same energy in every frequency, so each higher octave, which contains more frequencies, sounds louder. Pink noise drops 3 decibels per octave to even that out. To the ear, every range sounds about equally present.
Pink noise and sleep research
Pink noise is the color used in several sleep studies. Researchers played short bursts of it timed to slow brain waves during deep sleep, and saw stronger slow waves and better memory the next day in small groups. That is not the same as playing continuous pink noise, but it is why pink noise is linked with sleep.
Questions
What is pink noise?
Noise that gets 3 decibels quieter with each octave up. It sounds softer than white noise and brighter than brown.
Is pink noise better than white noise?
For long listening, many people find it more pleasant. White noise covers high sounds a little better.
What does pink noise sound like?
Like steady rain, a waterfall from a distance, or wind in trees.