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Hearing ranges
Humans Hearing Range: 20–20,000 Hz

Mammals · Hearing

Humans hearing range

Humans hear frequencies from about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz – a span of 10.0 octaves. This is the reference range for all the comparisons on this site.

20 HzLowest frequency

20,000 HzHighest frequency

10.0Octaves

1.0×Upper limit vs. humans

How it compares

Greater wax moths Bottlenose dolphins Beluga whales Bats Mice Rats Cats Opossums Gerbils Guinea pigs Dogs Hedgehogs Ferrets Sheep Rabbits Pigs Raccoons Goats Cows Horses Chinchillas Humans Elephants Owls Budgerigars (parakeets)Canaries Cockatiels Tree frogs Catfish Bullfrogs Goldfish Chickens Tuna

10 Hz1001 kHz10 kHz100 kHz

Shaded band: typical human range (20 Hz–20 kHz). Log scale.

Good to know

The textbook range is 20 Hz–20 kHz; laboratory audiograms at 60 dB give about 64 Hz–23 kHz. The upper limit falls with age (presbycusis).

Tones Humans can hear

Tones Humans cannot hear

Frequently asked questions

What frequencies can Humans hear?

About 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Can Humans hear ultrasound?

No – their upper limit is below 20 kHz.

Can Humans hear infrasound?

No – their lower limit is above 20 Hz.

Sources & credits

Wikipedia – Hearing range (compiled from Fay 1988; Heffner & Heffner) · Approximate hearing ranges from behavioural audiograms (largely Fay 1988 and Heffner & Heffner), usually measured at 60 dB SPL. Individual animals, ages and studies differ.