Generation of hole-tones and the instability of circular impinging jets are investigated based on the frequency characteristics and the radiated sound field. The experiment is carried out with varying hole sizes, jet speeds and impinging distances. It is found that hole-tones occur by both the low-speed laminar jet and the high-speed turbulent jet, but not by the transient jet, while plate-tones without holes are produced only in the high-speed turbulent impinging jet. When the diameter ratio of the hole to the nozzle is nearly one, hole-tones occur most easily. At low speed, it is found that hole-tones are due to the symmetrical unstable jet and the impinging distance decreases with jet speed. And the Strouhal number and the sound pressure level increase with jet speed. At high speed, hole-tones show the same characteristics as plate-tones. It is found that the ratio of the convection speed varies with the Strouhal number and the jet speed.