What is 1000 Hz?
1000 Hz is a tone in the upper midrange region — clarity and articulation. Its nearest musical note is B5 (about +21 cents away), and its sound wave is roughly 0.343 m long in air. Because it is a pure sine wave, it contains only this one frequency with no harmonics, which is exactly what you want for testing and calibration.
1000 Hz (1 kHz) is THE reference frequency for audio. It is used to calibrate levels, line up meters (0 VU), and check equipment, because human hearing is reliably sensitive here and the tone is easy to measure. If you only ever play one test tone, this is the one.
What you can use a 1000 Hz tone for
- Level calibration and equipment checks
Can you hear 1000 Hz?
This sits in the range where human hearing is most sensitive, so almost everyone hears it clearly at a low volume. If you are testing your hearing, do it at a modest, consistent volume in a quiet room and compare both ears. For a full walkthrough, see our at-home hearing range test guide. Remember this is a self-check, not a medical diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 1000 Hz test tone?
A 1000 Hz test tone is a pure sine wave vibrating 1,000 times per second. It falls in the upper midrange range (clarity and articulation) and its nearest musical note is B5. You can play it instantly above to test audio equipment or your hearing.
Can everyone hear 1000 Hz?
This sits in the range where human hearing is most sensitive, so almost everyone hears it clearly at a low volume.
What note is 1000 Hz?
The nearest equal-tempered note to 1000 Hz is B5 (about +21 cents away).
Is it safe to play 1000 Hz?
Yes, at a sensible volume. Start low and raise it gradually. Very loud tones of any frequency can harm hearing or, at very low frequencies, over-drive speakers — so keep levels comfortable and take breaks.
Explore more test tones
Need a different pitch? Browse every test-tone frequency, or jump to a nearby one:
You can also use the full test tone generator for frequency sweeps, speaker balance and polarity checks, and the tinnitus matcher.