What is 500 Hz?
500 Hz is a tone in the midrange region — the core of speech and most instruments. Its nearest musical note is B4 (about +21 cents away), and its sound wave is roughly 0.686 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.
500 Hz is a standard audiometric frequency and a key part of the speech range. Clinical hearing tests weight the 500-2000 Hz band heavily because it carries most of the intelligibility of a voice.
What you can use a 500 Hz tone for
- Tuning instruments to concert pitch
- Level calibration and equipment checks
Can you hear 500 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 500 Hz test tone?
A 500 Hz test tone is a pure sine wave vibrating 500 times per second. It falls in the midrange range (the core of speech and most instruments) and its nearest musical note is B4. You can play it instantly above to test audio equipment or your hearing.
Can everyone hear 500 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 500 Hz?
The nearest equal-tempered note to 500 Hz is B4 (about +21 cents away).
Is it safe to play 500 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.