7 sound types
Sine, square, sawtooth and triangle waves, plus white, pink and brown noise for speaker, room and sleep use.
Free · 1 Hz to 20,000 Hz · Works in any browser
Online Tone Generator: Any Frequency, Wave or Noise
Play a pure tone at any frequency from 1 to 20,000 Hz. Choose sine, square, sawtooth or triangle waves, or white, pink and brown noise. Sweep between frequencies, pan left and right, and watch the waveform live.
- 4 waveforms and 3 noise colours
- Frequency sweep
- Note names and cents
- Left and right balance
Hz
Note A4, in tune
Quick presets
Sound type
Frequency sweep
Auto stop
seconds
Start at a low volume and turn it up slowly. Very high or very low frequencies can be loud before you hear them and may damage speakers or hearing.
Why it is different
Why this tone generator is better
Most tone generators play one sine wave. This one gives you every common test signal, precise control and a live view of the sound.
Frequency sweep
Glide from any frequency to another over a set time, on a log or linear scale, to find rattles and room resonances.
Musical notes
See the nearest note and how many cents sharp or flat you are, which is handy for tuning instruments.
Left and right balance
Pan the sound to one ear or speaker to check stereo wiring or match a tone to one side.
Live waveform
An oscilloscope shows the exact shape of the signal, so you can see how each waveform differs.
Precise and gentle
Type an exact frequency to 0.1 Hz, fade tones in and out without clicks, and set an auto-stop timer.
How to use
How to use the online tone generator
Play any tone in a few seconds.
Set the frequency
Drag the slider, type a number, use the step buttons or pick a preset such as 440 Hz or 1 kHz.
Choose a sound
Pick a waveform, or a noise colour for a steady background sound.
Start quietly
Keep the volume low, press Play, then raise it slowly to a comfortable level.
Sweep or pan
Run a sweep to test your speakers, or move the balance to check the left and right channels.
Uses
Common frequencies and what they are used for
People hear roughly 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The top of that range usually drops with age.
| Frequency | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 20 to 60 Hz | Deep bass | Subwoofer tests and finding room rattles |
| 50 / 60 Hz | Mains hum | Matching electrical hum in audio setups |
| 440 Hz | Note A4 | Standard tuning pitch for instruments |
| 1,000 Hz | Reference tone | Audio level checks and test signals |
| 8,000 to 15,000 Hz | Upper treble | Tweeter tests and checking high-frequency hearing |
| 17,000 Hz and above | Very high pitch | Often heard by younger people but not older adults |
White, pink and brown noise
White noise has equal energy at every frequency and sounds hissy. Pink noise is softer and balanced to the ear, so it is used for speaker tuning. Brown noise is deeper and rumbly, and many people find it relaxing for focus or sleep.
Use it safely
- Start low. Raise the volume slowly from 10 to 20 percent.
- Take breaks when listening for long periods.
- Protect speakers from loud low bass and very high tones.
- Not a medical test. See an audiologist if you are worried about your hearing.
FAQ
Tone generator FAQs
How do I play a specific frequency?
Type the frequency in hertz into the big number field, or drag the slider, then press Play. You can fine-tune it in steps as small as 0.1 Hz.
What is the highest frequency I can hear?
Young people can often hear up to about 17,000 to 20,000 Hz. The top limit usually falls with age. Play the 15 kHz and 17.4 kHz presets at a low volume to compare.
How do I test my subwoofer or speakers?
Use a sine wave from 20 to 200 Hz for a subwoofer, or run a log sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz for full-range speakers. Listen for rattles, buzzing or sudden drops in volume.
What does 440 Hz mean?
440 Hz is the note A above middle C, known as A4. It is the standard pitch used to tune most instruments.
What is the difference between sine and square waves?
A sine wave is a pure tone with a single frequency. A square wave adds odd harmonics, which makes it sound buzzier and brighter, like an old video game.
Can I use this for tinnitus or hearing tests?
Some people use tones to describe the pitch of their tinnitus, and a sweep can show roughly where your hearing stops. This is not a medical test, so please see a doctor or audiologist for advice.
Why can I not hear very low or very high tones?
Small speakers, earbuds and laptops often cannot reproduce very low bass or very high treble. Headphones or a subwoofer will play a wider range.
Does the tone generator work on my phone?
Yes. It works in modern mobile browsers. On iPhone, make sure the silent switch is off so you can hear the sound.
Play a tone now
Pick a frequency, choose a wave or noise, and press Play. Free, precise and works in any browser.
Open the tone generator