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Space bar plays or pauses. The timer fades out over its last 2 minutes. Start quietly, headphones or not.
How each wave is made
Every wave is its own event. It rises for one to three seconds as the sound opens up and brightens, breaks, then fades over several seconds with a fizz of foam. The gap before the next one, its size and where it lands from left to right are all chosen at random, so the rhythm feels like a real shore rather than a metronome.
Swell and break
A blend of pink and brown noise through a filter that opens as the wave builds and closes as it falls, which is what gives a wave its "whoosh."
Foam and undertow
A soft hiss as the water washes back, and a quiet low rumble underneath that never quite stops, like the sea beyond the breakers.
Why waves are good for winding down
The slow rise and fall of surf, roughly one wave every six to twelve seconds, is close to an unhurried breathing pace. Many people find it easy to let their breathing settle into it. Unlike constant noise, the gaps between waves leave room for quiet.
Questions
Are the waves loud?
They are calm by default, and the volume is smoothed so a big set never jumps out. Start quietly and turn it up until it just covers the room.
Is it really free?
Yes. The web player is free, has no ads, and does not track you or set cookies.
Does it loop?
No. Every sound is synthesized live by your browser from random processes, with slow drift in tone, level and stereo width, so there is no recording to repeat.
Will it keep playing with my screen off?
On a computer, yes, as long as the tab stays open. Phones usually stop web audio when the screen locks. For all-night playback with the screen locked, the free Softfall app for iPhone and iPad is built for it.
Is this a medical product?
No. It is a sound tool for relaxing, masking background noise and focusing. It does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have trouble sleeping or hearing, talk to a health professional.
Does it collect my data?
No. Once the page has loaded, the audio is generated on your device. Nothing is uploaded and nothing is stored, apart from your volume setting in your own browser.
