How to use the binaural beats generator
- Put on stereo headphones. The effect depends on each ear hearing a different tone — it won't form on a speaker.
- Pick a goal preset. Delta (2 Hz) for sleep, theta (6 Hz) for calm, alpha (10 Hz) for relaxed focus, beta (18 Hz) for alert focus, gamma (40 Hz) for peak concentration.
- Fine-tune the beat. Nudge the beat slider to taste; the carrier stays at a comfortable 200 Hz while the beat is the rhythm that matters.
- Press play. The sound fades in gently. Sit back, breathe, and let the rhythm settle.
What are binaural beats?
A binaural beat is an auditory illusion. Play 200 Hz in one ear and 210 Hz in the other, and your brain perceives a single tone pulsing at 10 Hz — the difference between them — even though no 10 Hz sound exists in the air. That phantom beat is what binaural-beat entrainment aims to nudge your brainwaves toward. Because it only works when each ear is fed a separate tone, headphones are essential. Read the full evidence-aware explainer →
No headphones? Use the free isochronic tones generator instead — a single pulsed tone that works on any speaker, Bluetooth, or AirPlay.
Free generator vs. the Entrain app
This browser tool is a genuine taste of what Entrain does. The app goes further: 20 tuned presets, your own saved frequencies, brown/pink/rain/ocean ambient layers, a sleep timer up to 8 hours, background and lock-screen playback, session history, and native apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac — all fully offline. See plans →
Frequently asked
Is this binaural beats generator free?
Yes — it runs entirely in your browser with no account and no download. Sessions are capped at 30 minutes. The Entrain app removes the cap and adds presets, sleep timers, ambient layers, background playback, and Apple Watch.
Do I need headphones for binaural beats?
Yes. A binaural beat only exists when each ear hears a slightly different tone in isolation, so stereo headphones or earbuds are required. On a speaker the two tones mix in the air and the effect is lost. If you can't use headphones, use the isochronic tones generator.
What beat frequency should I choose?
Sleep: delta, around 2 Hz. Meditation and calm: theta, around 6 Hz. Relaxed focus: alpha, around 10 Hz. Alert focus: beta, around 18 Hz. Peak concentration: gamma, around 40 Hz. Start in the matching preset and fine-tune from there. See the brainwave frequency guide.
Are binaural beats safe?
For most people they're a low-risk, drug-free relaxation tool. They are not a medical device. Keep the volume comfortable and never listen while driving. If you have epilepsy or a seizure disorder, are pregnant, or have any medical concern, talk to a healthcare professional first.