Frequency Sweep Test
A frequency test sweeps a pure tone from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, the commonly quoted range of human hearing, or plays one tone at a time. Mark where you first and last hear it to see the range your headphones and ears give together. Keep the volume low, especially above 8 kHz.
Before you start
Turn your volume down before you start. Stop if anything is uncomfortable. Long exposure to loud or high-pitched sound can damage hearing.
These tests need JavaScript to make sound. The explanations below work without it.
Sound starts only when you press a button, at a low level with a soft fade-in. The level is capped in the code. Esc or the space bar stops it. On iPhone, turn off silent mode or web sound may stay muted. This is not a medical hearing test.
Frequency sweep 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Very high or very low tones: keep the volume low and stop if it is uncomfortable.
Sweeping up: press once when the tone appears and again when it disappears.
Press a button to play.
Tone generator
Very high or very low tones: keep the volume low and stop if it is uncomfortable.
Press a button to play.
How to do it
- Turn the volume down.
- Choose a sweep length and channel.
- Press "Sweep up" and press the big button when the tone appears.
- Press it again when the tone disappears to see your range.
How to read your result
Your result depends on three things at once: your headphones, your volume and your ears. So it is not a measurement of your hearing and not a lab measurement of the headphones. Compare two headphones at the same volume to see which reaches further.
The highest tone people can hear usually falls with age. If you are worried about your hearing, see a doctor or audiologist; this page cannot tell you that.
Frequency bands
| Band | Range | What you hear |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-bass | 20–60 Hz | Rumble you feel more than hear: kick drum weight, film explosions |
| Bass | 60–250 Hz | Bass guitar, the body of drums and male voices |
| Low mids | 250–500 Hz | Warmth; too much sounds muddy |
| Mids | 500 Hz–2 kHz | Most of the voice and instruments |
| Upper mids | 2–4 kHz | Clarity of speech; the ear is most sensitive here |
| Presence | 4–6 kHz | Attack and closeness |
| Treble / air | 6–20 kHz | Cymbals, "s" sounds, sparkle |
Band edges are approximate and differ slightly between sources.
Frequently asked questions
What frequency range can humans hear?
The commonly quoted range is about 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Many adults hear less at the top, and the highest audible tone tends to fall with age. This page shows what you hear through your current headphones.
Why can I not hear the highest tones?
Your headphones may not play them, the volume may be low, or your ears may not pick them up. Do not turn the volume up a lot to chase high tones; that can be harmful.
Is the frequency sweep a hearing test?
No. This is not a medical hearing test. The result mixes your headphones, settings and ears. Only a professional hearing test can say anything about your hearing, so see a doctor or audiologist if you are worried.
What is the difference between sine, square and saw?
A sine wave is a pure single tone. Square, saw and triangle waves add overtones, so they sound buzzier and brighter. Use sine for range tests and the others to hear distortion or for fun.
Why does the sweep sound louder in the middle?
Human hearing is most sensitive in the middle frequencies, around 2 to 5 kHz, so a tone at the same level sounds louder there than at the low and high ends.
Last updated: October 13, 2026