16 HzLowest frequency
12,000 HzHighest frequency
9.6Octaves
0.6×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
Elephants communicate with infrasonic rumbles that can travel several kilometres, and may sense ground vibrations through their feet.
Tones elephants can hear
Tones elephants cannot hear
Frequently asked questions
What frequencies can elephants hear?
About 16 Hz to 12,000 Hz.
Can elephants hear ultrasound?
No – their upper limit is below 20 kHz.
Can elephants hear infrasound?
Yes – they hear below 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.