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Free Online Tone Generator With WAV Export
This free online tone generator creates pure audio tones at frequencies between 1 Hz and 20,000 Hz. You can choose from sine, square, sawtooth, or triangle waveforms. The tool also displays the matching musical note name. You can run a frequency sweep or download a WAV file. All of this happens in your browser, so you don't need to sign up or download anything. Your audio never leaves your device.
Why AI Cannot Replace This Tool
The reason this tool is useful is that it can generate actual audible tones in real time. This is something that AI chatbots can't do. They can explain what a tone is or recite the A=440 Hz standard, but they can't produce a continuous wave at a specific frequency. This tool solves the problem of needing a specific pitch to tune, test, or calibrate to.
How to Use
To use the tool, press Play to start the tone or press the Spacebar. Press again or press Escape to stop. You can drag the frequency slider or type a value from 1 to 20,000 Hz in the number box. The musical note updates automatically. You can choose from different waveforms, including Sine, Square, Sawtooth, and Triangle. There are also note presets that let you jump straight to C4, A4, G5, and more.
The tool has several features that make it useful. You can run a frequency sweep from a start to an end frequency to test speakers or find your hearing range. You can download a 5-second WAV sample of the current tone. This is perfect for test tones, calibrations, or sound effects. It's always a good idea to start with a low volume to protect your hearing, especially at very high or very low frequencies.
Common Test Frequencies
There are several common test frequencies that you can use with the tool. For example, 20 Hz is extreme sub-bass, while 32 Hz is deep bass. 100 Hz is used to check bass response, and 440 Hz is the standard concert pitch. 1,000 Hz is used as a standard audio calibration reference, and 3,000 Hz is used to check speech clarity. 8,000 Hz is used to check high-frequency hearing, and 15,000 Hz is used to check tweeter sensitivity.
| Frequency | Note | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Hz | E0 | Extreme sub-bass, subwoofer limit |
| 32 Hz | C1 | Deep bass / organ pedals |
| 100 Hz | G2 | Bass response check |
| 440 Hz | A4 | Standard concert pitch, tuning reference |
| 1,000 Hz | B5 | Standard audio calibration reference |
| 3,000 Hz | F7 | Speech clarity band |
| 8,000 Hz | B8 | High-frequency hearing check |
| 15,000 Hz | F10 | Tweeter / high-hearing sensitivity |
Use Cases
The tool has several use cases. For example, you can use it to tune instruments. Just play A4 or any other note as a pure reference to tune guitars, violins, or brasses by ear. You can also use the tool to test speakers and headphones. Just sweep frequencies to find rattles, dead spots, or buzz. The tool can also be used to test your hearing range. Just ramp the frequency upward to find the top of your personal audible range.
The tool can also be used for audio calibration. Just generate a 1 kHz reference tone at 0 dBFS to calibrate mixers and interfaces. You can also use the tool for ear training. Just memorize how specific pitches sound to develop relative and absolute pitch. The tool can also be used for sound design. Just download WAV test tones for foley, UI feedback, or synthesis experiments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tone generator used for?
It's used to produce a specific audio frequency for tuning instruments, testing speakers and headphones, checking hearing range, calibrating audio equipment, and ear training practice.
How accurate is an online tone generator?
The Web Audio API synthesizes waveforms at your device's sample rate, which is typically 44,100 or 48,000 Hz. This means that frequencies are rendered with sample-level accuracy, which is precise enough for professional tuning and calibration.
Can I download the tone as an audio file?
Yes. You can download the tone as an audio file by clicking "Download WAV". The file is generated entirely in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.
Why do I need to start at a low volume?
It's a good idea to start with a low volume because high frequencies can sound quieter than they are, and very low frequencies can be physically felt. If a frequency is hard to hear, don't raise the volume to extremes, as this can damage your hearing.
What does the note mean next to the frequency?
The note that appears next to the frequency is the nearest musical note in the equal-tempered scale. For example, 261.63 Hz is Middle C, so singers and players can tune to a named pitch directly.
Why does the tone stop when I switch tabs?
The tone will stop if you switch tabs because browsers pause audio in background tabs to save resources. To keep the tone playing, just keep the tone-generator tab active, or use a desktop audio app for true background playback.
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