Learn · Basics
What are binaural beats?
Answer
Binaural beats are a perceived pulse your brain creates when each ear hears a steady tone at a slightly different frequency through stereo headphones. The beat is not a third speaker tone in the air — it is generated by binaural processing in the auditory pathway.
Explain
Example: left ear 200 Hz, right ear 210 Hz → many listeners perceive a ~10 Hz beating. Speakers or mono mix the tones before your ears, so the clean interaural difference disappears.
For mechanism detail see the existing guide How binaural beats actually work. History and science longread: History & science.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Carrier | The base tone pitch (e.g. 200 Hz) |
| Beat frequency | |fR − fL| (e.g. 10 Hz) |
| True binaural | Different pure tones per ear, stereo path intact |
Experience Interactive
Press PLAY to hear a true-stereo demo in your browser. Adjust controls to explore the concept on this page.
Put on headphones, press PLAY, then change the beat slider — the pulse rate should change while the pitch “center” stays related to the carrier.
Explore
Continue
Practice on the free Console with full controls, or try a purpose page like focus or sleep.
Scientific & safety notes. Binaural listening is a consumer audio experience. Distinctions used on this site: established evidence vs preliminary research vs hypothesis vs user experience. We do not claim that a frequency cures or treats medical conditions. Do not use deep-rest audio while driving or operating machinery. Keep volume comfortable.