Tone Generator
Any frequency, plus hearing test
Sweep between two frequencies
Put on headphones and set the volume low. You'll hear high-pitched tones, getting higher. Press I hear it while you can, and I can't hear it when it goes silent for you.
| Highest tone you can hear | Usually heard by |
|---|---|
| 8,000 Hz | Almost everyone |
| 12,000 Hz | Most people under 50 |
| 15,000 Hz | Most people under 40 |
| 16,000 Hz | Most people under 30 |
| 17,000 Hz | Most people under 25 |
| 18,000 Hz | Most people under 20 |
| 19,000 Hz+ | Some teenagers and children |
A fun check, not a medical hearing test: cheap speakers and some headphones can't play the highest tones at all. If you notice hearing loss, ringing or muffled sound, see a doctor or audiologist.
Start quiet and turn up slowly. Very high and very low tones can be loud before you notice them, and long exposure to loud tones can damage hearing.
About the Tone Generator
Play a pure tone at any frequency: 440 Hz to tune an instrument, 50–100 Hz to test a subwoofer, a sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz to check speakers and headphones, or 432 and 528 Hz if you like them. Choose the waveform, volume and left or right channel, and download 10 seconds as a WAV file. The hearing test mode finds the highest tone you can still hear.
- Type a frequency or drag the slider, or pick a preset.
- Choose a waveform and set the volume low to start.
- Press Play. Use Sweep to glide between two frequencies, or switch to Hearing test.
Frequently asked
What frequency can humans hear?
From about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz when young. The top end falls with age: many adults can't hear above 15–16 kHz.
Can I test my speakers or headphones?
Yes. Play a sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at a low volume to hear where they start and stop producing sound, and use Left / right to check each channel.
Is 432 Hz or 528 Hz special?
They're popular in meditation music, but there's no scientific evidence for healing effects. Standard tuning is A = 440 Hz.
Is the hearing test accurate?
It's a fun check, not a medical test: speakers and headphones vary a lot in how well they play very high tones. See an audiologist about any hearing concerns.
Is what I type sent to a server?
No. The tool runs entirely in your browser and there's no server behind it, so what you type never leaves your device and nothing is stored. You can check: it keeps working if you go offline after the page has loaded.
More from the Music drawer
Other tools kept in this drawer, plus a few favourites from the bench.