Tone Deaf Test
Can you tell when one note changes? Listen to short melody pairs and test your sense of pitch.
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Tone Generator
Generate steady browser audio tones by frequency, waveform, volume, and stereo channel for demonstrations and basic signal checks.
Tone controls
Ready to play a 440 Hz sine wave.
25%
How to use this tone generator
Use the generator for quick audio tests, instrument tuning references, and frequency experiments.
- Set the frequency in hertz with the number field, slider, or octave buttons.
- Choose a sine wave for a pure tone, or square, triangle, and sawtooth waves for stronger harmonics.
- Press Play to start the tone, then adjust frequency, volume, waveform, or channel while it is running.
- Use the left and right arrow keys to adjust the frequency by 1 Hz.
- Press Download, choose 1 to 60 seconds and WAV or MP3, then save the current tone settings as an audio file.
Tone Generator features
- Generate steady test tones by frequency in hertz.
- Adjust frequency with a number field, slider, or octave controls.
- Choose sine, square, triangle, or sawtooth waveforms.
- Adjust volume while audio is running.
- Route sound to left, right, or both stereo channels.
- Download 16-bit WAV or 320 kbps MP3 files generated locally in your browser.
- Use octave buttons for quick frequency jumps.
- Use left and right arrow keys for 1 Hz adjustments.
- Use the generator for audio tests, tuning references, and frequency experiments.
Common tone generator uses
A browser tone generator can create steady reference tones for instrument tuning, speaker checks, room resonance experiments, and quick hearing comparisons between the left and right channels.
Most people hear roughly from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, with sensitivity varying by age, environment, and playback equipment. Keep volume low when testing frequencies near the edges of your hearing.
How the tone is generated
The tool uses the Web Audio API in your browser. An oscillator node creates the selected waveform, a gain node controls volume, and a stereo panner sends the signal to both channels, the left channel, or the right channel.
Downloads are rendered locally as two-channel audio at 44.1 kHz, including the selected volume, channel, and optional 120 ms start and end fades. WAV files use lossless 16-bit PCM; MP3 files use 320 kbps encoding. Audio and settings are never uploaded.
The period is calculated as 1 divided by frequency. Wavelength uses an approximate speed of sound in air of 343 meters per second.
The oscillator behavior follows the browser's Web Audio OscillatorNode. The wavelength estimate uses Georgia State University HyperPhysics' discussion of the speed of sound in air; actual speed varies with temperature and atmospheric conditions.
Tone generator FAQ
Why can I hear clicks when starting or stopping a tone?
Clicks happen when audio starts or stops abruptly. Leave soft start and stop enabled to fade the gain briefly and reduce clicks.
Which waveform should I use?
Use sine for a clean single-frequency tone. Square, triangle, and sawtooth waves include harmonics, so they sound brighter and are useful when you want a more complex test signal.
Can this test my hearing?
It can help with informal checks, but it is not a medical hearing test. Use low volume and talk with an audiologist for reliable hearing measurements.
Use generated tones at a safe, controlled level
Turn the device volume down before starting a tone, then raise it only enough to hear comfortably. A browser volume percentage is not a calibrated sound-pressure level. Output depends on the device, operating system, audio interface, amplifier, headphones or speakers, frequency, and distance. Do not infer that a displayed volume is safe.
Avoid sudden playback, long exposure, and high levels, especially through headphones. Stop immediately if you feel pain, pressure, ringing, dizziness, or unusual discomfort. The NIOSH noise guidance explains that hearing risk depends on both sound level and duration. A tone generator is not a hearing-safety meter.
Do not use this page to diagnose hearing loss, tinnitus, ear disease, or a neurological symptom. Consumer devices are not calibrated audiometers, and room noise can mask frequencies. Hearing sensitivity also varies by ear and can fluctuate. Seek a qualified hearing professional for testing or persistent symptoms.
A selected waveform contains different frequency content. A sine wave concentrates energy at one frequency, while square, sawtooth, and triangle waves include harmonics in different amounts. At the same interface setting they may sound louder or harsher. Reduce volume before changing waveform and avoid using a non-sine waveform when you need a single-frequency test signal.
Very low and very high selected frequencies may not be reproduced accurately. Small speakers, laptop audio, Bluetooth codecs, amplifiers, and headphones have limited response and can add distortion. An inaudible tone does not prove that the signal is absent, and audible artifacts may come from distortion rather than the chosen frequency.
Stereo controls can help check channel routing, but they do not establish that a system is wired correctly or safe. Begin at low volume and verify left and right with familiar program material. Do not use high-level tones to troubleshoot installed sound systems around other people, animals, microphones, or equipment that could feed back.
For musical reference, equal temperament and concert pitch are conventions rather than physical requirements. Instruments can use alternate tuning, stretch tuning, or ensemble-specific pitch. A generated note can help establish a reference, but a phone or computer clock and audio path may not meet laboratory calibration needs.
For technical measurements, use calibrated equipment and a documented signal chain. Record sample rate, bit depth, output device, load, measurement microphone or meter, environmental conditions, and calibration date. This tool is suitable for demonstrations and basic checks, not compliance measurements, product certification, medical testing, or equipment limits.
Be considerate in shared spaces. High frequencies can be unpleasant even when some adults cannot hear them, and animals may respond differently. Ask permission before playing test tones around others. Use short bursts at the lowest workable level and stop before changing connections or moving headphones between people.
Final check
- Lower hardware and system volume before playback, begin with a short sine tone, and raise level only enough for the task.
- Stop for pain, pressure, ringing, dizziness, or discomfort and seek qualified care for persistent hearing symptoms.
- Reduce volume again before changing frequency, waveform, output device, stereo channel, headphones, speakers, or amplification.
- Do not infer hearing thresholds, sound-pressure level, frequency-response accuracy, or compliance from a browser control and consumer device.
- Use calibrated signal and measurement equipment with recorded settings for laboratory, product, occupational, or medical work.
- Ask permission in shared spaces, consider children and animals, avoid feedback paths, and keep exposure as brief and quiet as practical.
- Confirm no headphone or speaker is near an ear before reconnecting, resuming, or switching from another audio source.
- Record the limitations of the uncalibrated browser and device whenever sharing an observation made with the generated signal.
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