High Tone Limit
Of the two intervals, pick the one where the tone played.
This test plays sound. Turn the volume down before you start. If you cannot hear a tone, do not turn it up; just answer.
Phone and laptop speakers struggle with high tones, so headphones or earphones are recommended.
The result is the highest tone you heard among the tones your device could play.
You can also start with Space / Enter
Overview
The high tone limit test plays a tone in only one of two intervals, and you answer which interval had the sound. Each pass raises the tone a little, and the highest frequency you heard, in hertz (Hz), becomes your score. A higher number means you heard higher tones. Because you pick one of two intervals instead of saying "I heard it", and you move on only after five correct answers in a row at the same pitch, guessing rarely gets you past a tone you cannot hear. Phone and laptop speakers struggle with high tones, so headphones or earphones get you closer to your real result.
Rules
- A tone plays in only one of the two intervals. Answer the interval where it played
- Answer correctly five times in a row at the same pitch and the next tone is higher
- If you miss it, "Play again" repeats the same question
- Wrong answers keep counting as the pitch changes. Two wrong answers in total ends the test, and the highest tone you passed becomes your score
Score Guide
| Score | Rating | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 20000 Hz | Legendary | Top 1% |
| 18500-19500 Hz | Exceptional | Top 1-5% |
| 17500-18000 Hz | Excellent | Top 5-15% |
| 16500-17000 Hz | Great | Top 15-30% |
| 15000-16000 Hz | Above Average | Top 30-50% |
| 14000 Hz | Average | Top 50-70% |
| ≤ 13000 Hz | Below Average | Outside top 70% |
FAQ
How loud should the volume be?
Turn it down before you start. High tones can feel sharp even at a low volume. If a tone seems silent, do not turn the volume up; just answer. Raising the volume would measure your device's loudness rather than the highest pitch you can hear.
Do I need headphones?
You can play without them, but they are recommended. Phone and laptop speakers struggle with high tones, so a tone your ears could hear may not actually be playing. Your result depends on both your ears and your playback device, so the same person can score differently on different devices.
Does this tell me about my ears?
No. This is a game that compares whether you heard tones played on your device, not a way to judge the condition of your ears. Devices and background noise also change the result. If you are worried about your hearing, please see an ear, nose and throat doctor.
Why do scores differ from person to person?
How well people hear high tones varies with age and with how much loud sound they have been exposed to. Even for the same person, the device and the quietness of the room change the score. Comparing your own results on the same device in the same place is more useful than comparing with others.