2,000 HzLowest frequency
110,000 HzHighest frequency
5.8Octaves
5.5×Upper limit vs. humans
How it compares
Greater wax mothsBottlenose dolphinsBeluga whalesBatsMiceRatsCatsOpossumsGerbilsGuinea pigsDogsHedgehogsFerretsSheepRabbitsPigsRaccoonsGoatsCowsHorsesChinchillasHumansElephantsOwlsBudgerigars (parakeets)CanariesCockatielsTree frogsCatfishBullfrogsGoldfishChickensTuna
10 Hz1001 kHz10 kHz100 kHz
Shaded band: typical human range (20 Hz–20 kHz). Log scale.
Good to know
Echolocating bats emit and hear ultrasonic calls; some species go even higher.
Tones bats can hear
Tones bats cannot hear
Frequently asked questions
What frequencies can bats hear?
About 2,000 Hz to 110,000 Hz.
Can bats hear ultrasound?
Yes – their upper limit is above 20 kHz.
Can bats hear infrasound?
No – their lower limit is above 20 Hz.
Sources & credits
- Wikipedia – Hearing range (compiled from Fay 1988; Heffner & Heffner) · Approximate hearing ranges from behavioural audiograms (largely Fay 1988 and Heffner & Heffner), usually measured at 60 dB SPL. Individual animals, ages and studies differ.