Your screen doesn't
have to hurt

Nox is a migraine screen filter for macOS. It removes the wavelengths linked to light sensitivity at the display level, with the same FL-41 and 480nm science used in therapeutic lenses.

Download Free Trial See how it works

Free for 14 days · No credit card · macOS 14+ · Apple Silicon and Intel

Download, open, pick a preset. Under a minute.

On your phone? Email yourself the download link

Filter
Melanopic light reduced 73%
100%
0%

A working preview. Everything you change here applies to this page.

Preview a preset on this page

380nm 480nm 580nm 680nm 780nm

Control the light itself,
not just the brightness

12 research-based presets

FL-41, 480nm notch, narrow-band green, e-paper simulation, and more. Each grounded in published research, and each one shows what it does to your screen the moment you pick it.

Spectral filtering with a live melanopic readout

Nox attenuates specific wavelengths across the visible spectrum instead of shifting the whole screen warmer. Push the intensity slider and the percentage tracks exactly how much melanopsin-activating light your filter removes.

Custom presets and fine control

Advanced opens dimming, black point, and contrast, so you can take the screen below its lowest brightness. In the preset editor you can adjust RGB channels, gamma, and color temperature, then save as many of your own presets as you like.

Break reminders

A real macOS notification, with sound, on whatever interval you set from 10 to 60 minutes. Each one gives you a 20-second guided countdown to look away.

Pause without losing your setup

Step away from the filter for 15 minutes, an hour, or until morning. Nox tells you when it resumes and brings back every setting exactly as you left it.

Automatic scheduling

Set custom on and off times, or let Nox follow sunset to sunrise using your Mac's approximate location, computed on-device. Toggle manually anytime; it overrides until the next scheduled transition.

Targeting the
root of photophobia

Not all wavelengths affect your eyes the same way. Research points to specific parts of the spectrum and specific cells.

Melanopic sensitivity across the visible spectrum, with the transmittance of the Migraine Precision filter overlaid. Sensitivity peaks at 480nm, where the filter transmits almost nothing. The filter passes the most light at the 530nm green band. 480nm Attenuated 530nm Preserved 400 500 600 700

Melanopic sensitivity Migraine Precision filter

480nm Melanopsin peak sensitivity, the wavelength most activating to ipRGCs

530nm Narrow-band green, the only color shown to not exacerbate migraine

Melanopic Suppression: Migraine Precision preset 73%

Real-time percentage of melanopsin-activating light blocked by your current filter and intensity settings.

Your retina contains specialized light-sensing cells called ipRGCs that are most sensitive to blue-cyan light at 480nm. Research suggests these cells may play a role in light sensitivity for some people, amplifying discomfort when exposed to certain wavelengths.

Studies have found that narrow-band green light (~530nm) may be better tolerated than other wavelengths. Blue, amber, and red were associated with greater discomfort in some subjects. This is why a simple warm filter may not be enough: wavelength-level control gives you more options.

FL-41 tinted lenses, a rose-colored filter, were associated with a 74% reduction in migraine frequency in one clinical study. Nox applies similar filtering principles to your display, using spectral curve modeling to approximate per-channel attenuation.

74%

Reduction in migraine attacks with FL-41 tinted lenses (Good et al.)

Read the full research →

Beyond blue light filters

f.lux and Night Shift shift color temperature. Nox filters specific wavelengths. Read the full comparison: Nox vs f.lux · Nox vs Night Shift

Feature Nox f.lux Night Shift Iris
Migraine-specific presets 12 presets No No No
FL-41 tint emulation Yes No No No
480nm notch filter Yes No No No
Melanopsin suppression metric Real-time % No No No
Spectral curve modeling 380–780nm No No No
Narrow-band green mode 520–540nm No No No
Custom preset creation Full RGB + gamma + temp Limited No Limited
Color temperature control Yes Yes Yes Yes
Dimming below minimum brightness Yes No No Yes
Windows and Linux No Yes No Yes
Sunset/sunrise scheduling Yes Yes Yes Yes
Built into macOS No No Yes No
Price $9.99 once Free Free $15
Try Nox free

12 presets for every
kind of screen sensitivity

From research-backed migraine filters to e-paper simulation and low-fatigue gaming modes. Pick one, tweak it, or build your own.

Migraine Precision
41-point spectral curve. 2% transmittance at 480nm, preserves 530nm green band.
FL-41
Rose-tinted filter. Associated with 74% fewer migraine attacks in one study (Good et al.).
Green Band
Narrow 520–540nm pass. The wavelength found to be best tolerated in light sensitivity studies (Noseda 2016).

Nine more for comfort, work, and evenings

Notch 480
Targets melanopsin peak directly. Based on Hoggan et al. thin-film notch filter design.
Low Blue
Gentle blue reduction for all-day screen use. Minimal color distortion.
Sunset
Aggressive warm filter with dimming. 3000K color temp for dark environments.
Warm Rose
A warmer take on FL-41 for those who prefer a softer, gentler tint.
Evening
3500K with reduced contrast and dimming. Designed for pre-sleep screen use.
Reading
Mild warmth with slight contrast boost. Optimized for long text sessions.
Gaming
Minimal color shift at 6000K. Reduces blue without impacting reaction-critical visuals.
Eye Comfort
Balanced blue reduction at 5500K. All-day comfort without noticeable color shift.
E-Paper
Full grayscale mode. Mimics e-ink displays for distraction-free reading.

Every preset is fully customizable. Adjust intensity, dimming, black point, contrast, gamma, color temperature, and per-channel levels. Or create your own from scratch.

One price, every feature, no subscription.

The same filter science as $400 therapeutic lenses. Try it free for 14 days, then $9.99 once.

$9.99
Lifetime license · One-time purchase · All future updates
  • All 12 research-based presets
  • Unlimited custom presets
  • Melanopic suppression tracking
  • Automatic scheduling
  • Break timer reminders
  • Multi-display support
  • Global keyboard shortcut
Download Free Trial Buy License for $9.99

14 days free · Full features · No credit card

When the trial ends, Nox asks for a license key. Nothing is charged automatically.

Nox applies filter profiles based on published research on light sensitivity. It is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. Consult your physician regarding migraine management.

Common questions

Longer answers live in the guides and on the science page.

Does Nox work like FL-41 glasses?
Nox's FL-41 preset approximates the spectral transmittance profile of FL-41 tinted lenses by computing per-channel attenuation from the published transmittance curve. FL-41 lenses were associated with a 74% reduction in migraine frequency in one clinical study (Good et al.).
How is Nox different from f.lux or Night Shift?
f.lux and Night Shift shift color temperature, making the screen warmer. Nox filters specific wavelengths across the full visible spectrum using 41-point spectral curves, giving you precise control beyond simple color temperature. See the full comparison.
What is melanopic suppression?
Melanopic suppression measures how much melanopsin-activating light (peaked at 480nm) your filter removes. Melanopsin is the photopigment in ipRGC cells linked to light sensitivity. Nox shows this as a real-time percentage that updates as you adjust settings.
Will Nox cure my migraines?
No. Nox is not a medical device. It applies filter profiles based on published research on light sensitivity and photophobia. Many users report reduced screen-triggered discomfort, but you should consult your physician regarding migraine management.
Does it work on external monitors?
Yes. Nox applies gamma table adjustments at the display driver level, so it works on any display connected to your Mac: built-in, external, or both simultaneously.
Can I create my own filter presets?
Yes. You have full control over RGB channels, gamma curve, contrast, color temperature (2700–6500K), and per-channel intensity. Save unlimited custom presets alongside the 12 built-in research-based filters.

Guides and research

Research-backed articles on migraine photophobia, screen settings, and spectral filtering.

Blue Light Filter for Mac

Compare Night Shift, glasses, physical filters, and Mac apps, with setup steps and the tradeoffs of each option.

Best Screen Settings for Migraines

Adjust brightness, enable spectral filtering, and configure your Mac to reduce screen-related discomfort.

FL-41 Tint for Your Screen

FL-41 lenses reduced migraines by 74% in trials. Nox brings the same spectral profile to your Mac display.

Eye Strain from Screens: Causes and Solutions

Up to 90% of people who use computers for 3+ hours daily experience digital eye strain. Here is what actually helps.

Do Blue Light Glasses Actually Work?

The evidence for and against blue light glasses, and why precision spectral filtering works better for migraines.

View all articles →

Try it on your own screen

Fourteen days with every preset, on every display. If it helps, it's $9.99 for life.

Download Free Trial

Nox 1.1.0 · macOS 14+ · Apple Silicon and Intel · Notarized by Apple · 1.6 MB

Download, open, pick a preset. Under a minute.

Already using Nox? Buy license ($9.99)