Noise Colour Test
Short answer
Answer two questions, then listen to four noise colours. In short: brown noise for traffic, engines and snoring, white or green noise for voices, and pink noise when you are not sure. If nothing bothers you, pick the sound you find most comfortable. The test takes about one minute.
Step 1 of 2
Step 2 of 2
Tap each colour to hear it. Stop on the one you like best.
Your result
Found your colour?
BRW has brown, pink, white, green and blue noise. It plays offline with the screen off, with a sleep timer.
The Noise Colours at a Glance
| Colour | Sounds like | Covers best |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | A deep rumble, like a strong waterfall | Traffic, engines, footsteps and snoring |
| Pink | Steady rain on a roof | A mix of sounds. A good first choice |
| White | A bright hiss, like a radio between stations | Voices, TV and music |
| Green | A soft middle sound, like a stream | Voices, if white noise is too bright |
| Blue | A sharp, high hiss | Not for sleep. Most people find it harsh |
How the Test Works
A noise covers another sound best when they sit at the same pitch. Traffic and snoring are deep sounds, so deep brown noise covers them at a low volume. Voices sit higher, so white or green noise covers them better. This is called sound masking.
So the first question asks what you want to cover. The second part lets you listen, because you will hear this sound for a long time, and it has to feel comfortable.
Why Your Ears Get the Final Say
There is no strong evidence that one colour is the best for sleep [1]. Most research is about white noise, and the results are mixed. So if you like a different colour from the one the test suggests, use the one you like.
If you want noise to focus, keep this in mind: studies found that noise in a quiet room made some people do slightly worse. Read more on the brown noise for focus page.
Noise Colours for Babies
No study shows that one colour is safer or better for a baby. What matters is how you use it: quiet, across the room, and on a timer. Read the safety guide for babies, or try the baby sound machine.
References
- Riedy SM, Smith MG, Rocha S, Basner M. Noise as a sleep aid: A systematic review. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2021;55:101385. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101385 · PubMed 33007706
Frequently Asked Questions
Which noise colour is best for sleep?
It depends on what keeps you awake. Brown noise covers deep sounds like traffic and snoring, white or green noise covers voices, and pink noise is a good choice when you are not sure. If nothing bothers you, choose the colour you find most comfortable.
What is the difference between brown, pink and white noise?
White noise is a bright hiss with a lot of high sound. Pink noise is softer and more even, like rain. Brown noise is deeper still, like a strong waterfall.
Which noise colour is best for focus?
If voices distract you, white or green noise covers speech best. If deep sounds distract you, try brown noise. In a quiet room you may not need noise at all.
Which noise colour is best for babies?
No study shows that one colour is safer or better for babies. Keep any sound quiet, across the room and on a timer.
Is green noise a real noise colour?
Green noise has no agreed definition, unlike white, pink and brown noise. It usually means a soft sound in the middle pitches, a bit like a stream.