Frequently asked questions

Yes — completely free. All 13 sounds, all 11 display scenes, and every feature including the Pomodoro timer are free for every visitor. No signup, no payment, no trial period, nothing to install.

No. NoiseDisplay works instantly in your browser. Your preferences are saved locally on your device so they persist between visits — no account needed.

NoiseDisplay requires an internet connection to load. Once the page is loaded, the audio engine runs locally in your browser. However, if you close and reopen the tab, it will need to connect again. Bookmark the site for quick access.

NoiseDisplay works in all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. It uses the Web Audio API which is supported in every major browser released after 2016. For the best experience, use a desktop or laptop browser.

White noise contains equal energy at every audible frequency, creating a steady hiss similar to a fan or television static. It's effective at masking distracting background sounds — conversations, traffic, notifications — making it easier to concentrate or fall asleep.

White noise has equal energy across all frequencies. Brown noise (sometimes called red noise) has more energy in the lower frequencies, producing a deeper, warmer rumble that many people find more soothing than white noise. Pink noise sits between the two — it decreases in energy as frequency increases, creating a sound similar to rainfall or rustling leaves. All three are generated fresh in your browser using the Web Audio API.

Binaural beats are an auditory illusion created when two tones of slightly different frequencies are played in each ear. Your brain perceives a third tone — the difference between them — which some studies suggest can promote relaxation, focus, or sleep depending on the frequency. NoiseDisplay plays a 40Hz beat (200Hz in left ear, 240Hz in right ear). Best experienced with headphones.

All sounds are synthesized in real time using the Web Audio API — no audio files are downloaded. This means they load instantly, work on any connection, and sound slightly different each playback session. The rain, ocean, fire, café, and other nature sounds are procedurally generated approximations.

Not currently — NoiseDisplay plays one sound at a time. Sound mixing is something we may add in the future. For now, each sound is tuned to work well on its own.

The full-screen display fills your entire screen with a chosen visual scene — a static color, a CSS-animated environment like a sunrise or aurora, or an immersive canvas scene. It's designed to remove all visual clutter so you can rest your eyes, meditate, or use your screen as a calm backdrop. Your ambient noise continues playing while the display is active.

Yes. When you hover over the full-screen display, a control bar appears at the bottom of the screen with all 13 noise options, a volume slider, and a play/pause button. Move your mouse away and the controls fade out.

Hover over the display and click the Exit button in the top right. You can also press the Escape key, or double-click anywhere on the display to close it.

No. All animated scenes — sunrise, sunset, aurora, ocean, embers, storm, eagle view, deep ocean, milky way, snowfall, and desert — are rendered live on an HTML canvas element using JavaScript. There are no video files. This means they load instantly and work on any connection.

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. You work in focused 25-minute sessions (called "pomodoros"), then take a 5-minute break. After four sessions, you take a longer 20–30 minute break. NoiseDisplay includes Pomodoro, Short Break, Long Break, and Sleep Timer presets.

The timer shows a visual indicator when the session ends. Your ambient noise continues playing throughout the session and break — uninterrupted.

Yes. NoiseDisplay does not collect personal data, require accounts, or track individual users. Your theme preference and other settings are stored locally in your browser's localStorage. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

We use a single functional cookie to remember your theme preference (light, dark, or system). We do not use advertising or tracking cookies. The site may display ads served by Google AdSense, which may set its own cookies — see our Privacy Policy for details.

NoiseDisplay is supported by optional tips from users who find it valuable, and by unobtrusive advertising. We'll never show popups, interstitials, or auto-playing video ads. If you'd like to support the site, there's a tip link at the bottom of the page.