60 Hz Tone Generator
A free online tone generator producing a pure 60 Hz signal in your browser. US mains hum. Pick a waveform, hit play, and adjust the volume slowly.
What is 60 Hz used for?
60 Hz is the AC mains frequency in North America. Listening to it in isolation helps you train your ear to identify mains-related noise in mixes.
For us mains hum, set the volume to roughly 30% before pressing play. 60 Hz can sound deceptively quiet at full volume — always start low to protect your speakers and ears.
How to use it
Press the play button on the preview above to hear 60 Hz immediately. To customize the waveform (sine, square, sawtooth, triangle), tweak the volume curve, or add a second tone for beat-frequency comparison, open the full tone generator. The closest musical pitch to 60 Hz is approximately B1 (-49¢).
FAQs
Why does 60 Hz sound different on different speakers?
Speaker frequency response varies dramatically. Small monitors and laptop speakers struggle below about 80 Hz; tweeters distort above 16 kHz on cheaper systems. If 60 Hz sounds quiet, distorted, or buzzy, your hardware is likely the limit — not the tone itself.
Is it safe to listen to 60 Hz?
At reasonable volumes, yes. Sustained exposure to any frequency at high volume can damage your hearing. Always start at 0 volume, ramp up slowly, and don't wear headphones at full volume on this page.
What's the closest musical note to 60 Hz?
60 Hz corresponds to approximately B1 (-49¢). For exact tuning, use the chromatic tuner.