UsefulTab
Headphone Left/Right Test
Confirm your headphones' left and right channels are correct.
Test your headphone channels
Put your headphones on and check that left is left and right is right. Press Left to play a tone only in your left ear, Right for only the right ear, or run the automatic sequence, which alternates left then right and announces each side on screen so you can match what you hear to what is shown. If the side you hear does not match the side shown, your headphones are wired or worn the wrong way round, or an adapter has swapped the channels. If one ear is silent, that driver or its wire may be broken — a common failure where the cable meets the plug. The tones are generated in your browser with the Web Audio API, so nothing is downloaded or uploaded. Keep the volume moderate before you start.
Common questions
How do I know if my left and right are swapped?
Run the sequence or press Left and Right in turn. The tool shows which side it is playing; if you hear it in the opposite ear, your channels are swapped — often a reversed adapter or headphones worn backwards.
What does the automatic sequence do?
It plays a short tone in the left ear, then the right, repeating, and displays the current side on screen. It is a hands-free way to confirm both channels work and are on the correct side.
One ear has no sound. What is wrong?
First confirm the balance is centred in your operating system and the volume is up. If one side stays silent, the driver or the wire to it is likely damaged — frequently near the plug on wired headphones.
Can I use this for earbuds and Bluetooth headphones?
Yes. It tests whatever stereo output your browser is playing through, including wired earbuds and Bluetooth headphones. Make sure the correct output device is selected in your system settings.
Is any audio uploaded?
No. The tones are generated live in your browser and are never recorded or uploaded. They play only while the test is running.