Why workspaces are so distracting
The single biggest distraction at work is other people talking. Your brain can't help following nearby conversations, even ones you don't care about, and that pulls attention away from reading, writing and thinking. Open-plan offices make it worse; so do shared homes with calls happening in the next room.
A steady background noise makes nearby speech less clear, so it's easier to tune out. It also hides the stop-start noises of a home (the dishwasher, the doorbell, the dog) that break your concentration.
Which noise for which workspace?
- Open-plan office or co-working space: white or pink noise, which cover the frequencies speech sits in.
- All-day use: pink or grey noise. Both have less hiss than white noise, so they're less tiring over a whole day.
- Working from home with household noise: brown noise covers appliances, traffic and footsteps well.
Suggested settings
Open any noise page and use the Sound Controls panel. These are good starting points for work:
Practical tips
- Use headphones in shared spaces. Closed-back or noise-cancelling headphones block more sound, so the noise can stay quieter. Keep the volume moderate if you're wearing them all day.
- Pause it for calls. If you take calls on speaker, your microphone may pick up the noise. Pause it, or use headphones with a microphone.
- Use the timer for breaks. Set 45 or 60 minutes. When the sound stops, stand up, stretch and rest your eyes before the next block.
- Agree on it with housemates. If you share a room, a speaker playing quiet noise can help both of you. Agree on the volume first.
Common questions
Is background noise allowed in the office?
Through headphones, almost always. Some offices even use sound masking systems in the ceiling for exactly this reason.
Is it better than music for work?
For tasks involving reading or writing, many people find noise less distracting than music with lyrics. For repetitive tasks, music can be fine. Our focus guide covers this in more detail.