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Handy tools

Speaker Test

Check your speakers or headphones and confirm the left/right channels aren't swapped — right in your browser.

Check that your speakers or headphones actually play sound and that the left and right channels aren't swapped. Send a short tone to the left, the right or both sides, switch between a low, mid or high pitch, run a 20 Hz–20 kHz sweep, or play a burst of white noise.

Use headphones for a reliable left/right check — a phone or laptop with a single speaker plays both sides from the same spot. Start at low volume, especially for the piercing top of the sweep. Not hearing the very lowest or highest part of the sweep is normal: small speakers can't reproduce deep bass, and high-frequency hearing fades with age. This is not a hearing test.

Pitch

440 Hz

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A free online speaker test that checks two things: whether your speakers or headphones play sound, and whether the left and right channels are swapped. Tap Left, Right or Both to play a 1.4-second sine tone at 125 Hz, 440 Hz or 3,000 Hz and listen for which side it comes from. A 5-second sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and a burst of white noise help reveal rattling, buzzing or a side that drops out. Use headphones for the left/right check and start at low volume. It runs entirely in the browser — no install, no microphone or other permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. How do I check if my left and right audio channels are swapped?

    A. Put on headphones and tap Left, then Right. Each button plays a short tone on that channel only, so if the Left tone comes out of your right ear, the channels are swapped — check the cable, your Bluetooth settings or which earbud is in which ear. A phone or laptop with a single speaker can't separate the sides.

  • Q. What test sounds does the speaker test play?

    A. Sine tones at 125 Hz (low), 440 Hz (mid) and 3,000 Hz (high), a 5-second sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and 1.5 seconds of white noise. Rattling, buzzing or a side that cuts out during these can point to a damaged driver or a loose connection.

  • Q. Why can't I hear the start or end of the frequency sweep?

    A. That's usually normal. Small speakers and earbuds often can't reproduce the deepest bass near 20 Hz, and most adults stop hearing high tones well below 20 kHz as they age. The sweep checks your equipment; it is not a hearing test.

  • Q. Does the speaker test need any permission?

    A. No. It only plays sound, so there's nothing to install and no microphone access. Start at low volume, especially with headphones, because the top of the sweep can be piercing.