Binaural beats for focus
A 16 Hz beta beat on a 220 Hz carrier with a low layer of brown noise, timed for one 50-minute work block.
Presets
Why these settings
Beta rhythm (13–30 Hz) accompanies alert, active thinking. Focus presets usually sit at 14–20 Hz; 40 Hz gamma is the other popular option.
How to use it
- Start the session as you start a single task; one session, one job.
- Keep it quieter than you think; it should fade from awareness within minutes.
- Brown noise underneath masks office chatter, which may matter more than the beat itself.
- Take a break when the timer ends.
What the research says
Results on attention are mixed: some small studies report better sustained attention with beta beats, others find no difference from plain noise. A steady, predictable background masks distractions either way.
New to this? See how binaural beats work with the interactive demo.
Questions people ask
What binaural beat is best for studying?
Beta beats of 14–18 Hz are the common choice. Some people prefer alpha (10 Hz) for calmer reading and 40 Hz for intense focus.
Do binaural beats help ADHD?
Evidence is limited and mixed. Some people with ADHD find brown noise helps more than beats; try both.
Can I listen to music with binaural beats?
Yes, quietly, but lyrics compete for attention. Instrumental music or noise works better for focus.