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WaveNook

Online tone generator

Pick a frequency, press Play, and fine-tune it with the slider or arrow buttons. Use it to tune instruments, test speakers, find a rattle or check your hearing. Start with the volume low.

A4
Wave
Presets
Start quietly and protect your hearing: very low and very high tones can seem quiet but still be loud. Square and sawtooth waves sound much louder than sine waves at the same volume.

How to use the tone generator

  1. Type a frequency in hertz, or drag the slider. It is logarithmic, so each octave takes the same space.
  2. Press Play. Use −1 / +1 for fine steps and ÷2 / ×2 to jump an octave.
  3. Choose the wave shape: sine for a pure tone, square, sawtooth or triangle for brighter sounds.
  4. Set the volume and balance. Changes apply instantly while the tone plays.

Features

1 Hz to 22 kHz

From sub-bass rumbles to the edge of human hearing, adjustable to a tenth of a hertz below 100 Hz.

Musical note readout

See which note a frequency is closest to, and how many cents sharp or flat it is.

Four wave shapes

Sine, square, sawtooth and triangle, which are useful for audio testing, teaching and sound design.

Left/right balance

Send the tone to one side only to test a single speaker or earbud.

Handy frequencies

  • 50 / 60 Hz: mains hum in Europe and the US. Useful for identifying electrical buzz in recordings.
  • 440 Hz: A4, the standard tuning pitch.
  • 1,000 Hz: the standard reference tone for audio equipment.
  • 10,000 Hz and up: checks tweeters and how high your hearing goes.

Sine, square, sawtooth, triangle

A sine wave is a single pure frequency. Square and sawtooth waves add many harmonics, so they sound buzzy and bright and are easier to hear on small speakers. Triangle sits between them, soft like a flute.

Want left, right and bass checks in one place? Try the speaker test.

Frequently asked questions

What is 440 Hz?

It is the note A above middle C (A4), the standard tuning reference for most music. Tune a guitar or violin's A string to it.

What frequency should I use to test speakers?

1 kHz is the classic test tone. For bass, try 40–100 Hz; for treble, 8–15 kHz. Our speaker test also has a full sweep and left/right checks.

Why can't I hear very high or very low tones?

Most adults can't hear above about 15–17 kHz, and small speakers can't play much below 100 Hz. Try headphones, and see how high you can hear with the hearing age test.

Can I use this to find a rattle or buzz?

Yes. Slowly move the slider through the bass range (30–200 Hz) at a moderate volume. Rattles in cars, rooms or furniture show up at specific frequencies.

Is it safe for my ears and speakers?

Keep the volume moderate. Pure tones at high volume are tiring, and very high or low tones can be loud even when they seem quiet. Square and sawtooth waves are louder than sine waves at the same setting.

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