Rats hearing range

Rats hear frequencies from about 200 Hz to 76,000 Hz – a span of 8.6 octaves. Compared with humans (about 20 Hz–20 kHz), rats hear higher – up to 76 kHz, well into ultrasound.

200 HzLowest frequency

76,000 HzHighest frequency

8.6Octaves

3.8×Upper limit vs. humans

How it compares

Greater wax moths Bottlenose dolphins Beluga whales Bats Mice Rats Cats Opossums Gerbils Guinea pigs Dogs Hedgehogs Ferrets Sheep Rabbits Pigs Raccoons Goats Cows Horses Chinchillas Humans Elephants Owls Budgerigars (parakeets)Canaries Cockatiels Tree frogs Catfish Bullfrogs Goldfish Chickens Tuna

10 Hz1001 kHz10 kHz100 kHz

Shaded band: typical human range (20 Hz–20 kHz). Log scale.

Good to know

Rats communicate with ultrasonic calls around 22 kHz and 50 kHz.

Tones rats can hear

Tones rats cannot hear

Frequently asked questions

What frequencies can rats hear?

About 200 Hz to 76,000 Hz.

Can rats hear ultrasound?

Yes – their upper limit is above 20 kHz.

Can rats 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.

Range	200–76,000 Hz
Octaves	8.6
Group	Mammals
Taxon	Rattus norvegicus