Decibel Chart: How Loud Is That Sound?
Compare everyday sounds, explore typical decibel ranges, check exposure guidance, and measure the sound around you with our free browser-based meter.
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Interactive Sound Level Explorer
Measure your environmentDrag to explore, or use the arrow keys for 1 dB steps. The final stop represents 140 dBA and above.
Nearby sound examples
- Vacuum cleaner · noisy models85–90 dBA
- Lawn mower · noisy equipment85–90 dBA
- Power tools · example equipment85–90 dBA
Closest reference examples; a match does not predict your actual reading.
Hearing-risk context
At or above 85 dBA, reduce exposure and use suitable hearing protection. Higher levels require shorter exposure.
Exposure guidance
- NIOSH recommended exposure
- 8 h at a constant 85 dBA reaches the NIOSH daily reference dose (3 dB exchange). Other exposure also counts.
- OSHA workplace context
- 85–89 dBA: evaluate the 8-hour average for the 85 dBA hearing-conservation action level; this is distinct from the 90 dBA PEL.
At a Glance
- 30 dBA
- Quiet
- 60–70 dBA
- Conversation
- 85 dBA
- NIOSH 8-hour recommended exposure limit
- 100 dBA
- Exposure time becomes very short
Common Sound Levels
Approximate A-weighted levels on a shared 0–160 dBA scale. Filled bars reach the upper value; the brighter end shows a published range. ≈ marks an approximate single reference. Expand a sound for measurement context.
22 of 22 sounds
Quiet study roomHome≈ 20 dBALow-level indoor reference.
Why it varies
OSHA’s scale gives approximately 20 dBA for a silent study room. Ventilation, people, and outside traffic alter the background; no measurement distance is specified.
Exposure context
Low-level indoor reference. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Quiet outdoors · Grand Canyon north rimNature≈ 30 dBALow-level outdoor reference.
Why it varies
OSHA places the Grand Canyon north rim around 30 dBA on its example scale. This is a specific quiet outdoor example, not a range for all nature sounds; wind and visitors change it.
Exposure context
Low-level outdoor reference. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Soft whisper · 5 ft (1.5 m) awayHome≈ 40 dBALow-level speech reference.
Why it varies
OSHA’s approximate 40 dBA example is for a soft whisper at 5 feet. Voice strength, background noise, and distance explain why other whisper charts differ.
Exposure context
Low-level speech reference. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Urban residenceHome≈ 50 dBABackground varies with activity.
Why it varies
OSHA gives an approximate 50 dBA example. Traffic, neighbors, appliances, window position, and room reflections can all shift the level; a distance is not specified.
Exposure context
Background varies with activity. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Normal conversationHome60–70 dBATypical speech; background matters.
Why it varies
NIDCD publishes 60–70 dBA. Voice strength, speaker distance, number of people, and room reflections vary. The source does not specify a standard distance for this range.
Exposure context
Typical speech; background matters. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Classroom chatterWork & Tools≈ 70 dBAActivity and duration change exposure.
Why it varies
OSHA’s scale gives approximately 70 dBA. The number of students, simultaneous voices, and reverberation matter; this is not a classroom exposure survey.
Exposure context
Activity and duration change exposure. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Movie theaterMusic & Events74–104 dBALoud scenes may warrant protection.
Why it varies
NIDCD publishes 74–104 dBA. Film mix, playback setting, scene, seat position, and averaging period vary; the range is not a constant level for every screening.
Exposure context
Loud scenes may warrant protection. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Freight train · 100 ft (30 m) awayTransport≈ 80 dBABrief pass-by; closer can be louder.
Why it varies
OSHA’s approximate 80 dBA example is at 100 feet. Speed, locomotive, track, barriers, and distance change the pass-by level.
Exposure context
Brief pass-by; closer can be louder. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Motorcycles & dirt bikesTransport80–110 dBAUpper range needs reduced exposure.
Why it varies
NIDCD publishes 80–110 dBA. Engine and exhaust, speed, distance, and riding conditions change the level. The source does not give one standard measurement position.
Exposure context
Upper range needs reduced exposure. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Vacuum cleaner · noisy modelsHome85–90 dBARepeated use can add to daily exposure.
Why it varies
NIOSH lists vacuums among equipment that can produce around 85–90 dBA. This illustrates noisy equipment, not all vacuum cleaners; model, floor, room, and distance vary.
Exposure context
Repeated use can add to daily exposure. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Lawn mower · noisy equipmentWork & Tools85–90 dBAUse protection and reduce exposure.
Why it varies
NIOSH lists lawn mowers among 85–90 dBA equipment examples. Power source, blade, load, maintenance, and operator position change the reading.
Exposure context
Use protection and reduce exposure. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Power tools · example equipmentWork & Tools85–90 dBAProtect hearing during noisy work.
Why it varies
NIOSH lists power tools among equipment around 85–90 dBA. This is not a range covering every tool: cutting material, tool model, load, and operator distance matter.
Exposure context
Protect hearing during noisy work. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Printing pressWork & Tools85–90 dBASustained workplace exposure matters.
Why it varies
NIOSH lists printing presses among 85–90 dBA equipment examples. Machine design, speed, enclosures, room reflections, and operator position vary.
Exposure context
Sustained workplace exposure matters. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Boiler roomWork & Tools≈ 90 dBAAssess daily occupational exposure.
Why it varies
OSHA’s scale gives approximately 90 dBA. Burner and fan operation, enclosure, maintenance, and time spent in the room change exposure.
Exposure context
Assess daily occupational exposure. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Headphones · maximum volumeMusic & Events94–110 dBATurn volume down; exposure rises quickly.
Why it varies
NIDCD publishes 94–110 dBA for music through headphones at maximum volume. Device, headphone fit, sensitivity, and recording vary. A room microphone cannot establish the level at your eardrum.
Exposure context
Turn volume down; exposure rises quickly. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Sporting eventMusic & Events94–110 dBAProtection and quieter breaks help.
Why it varies
NIDCD publishes 94–110 dBA. Crowd, announcements, indoor acoustics, and seat location vary; loud moments need separate consideration from event averages.
Exposure context
Protection and quieter breaks help. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
ConcertMusic & Events94–110 dBAUse protection; move away from speakers.
Why it varies
NIDCD publishes 94–110 dBA. Amplification, speaker distance, venue, and position change exposure. This is not a guaranteed range for every concert.
Exposure context
Use protection; move away from speakers. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Large wood planer · OSHA case exampleWork & Tools98–118 dBAVery loud work; source controls needed.
Why it varies
OSHA describes 98–118 dBA in a particular large-planer case, depending on wood hardness and surface area. This published case range is not a universal range for planers.
Exposure context
Very loud work; source controls needed. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Construction siteWork & Tools≈ 100 dBAMeasure tasks and assess daily dose.
Why it varies
OSHA’s scale gives approximately 100 dBA as an example. The active machines, task, distance, and barriers determine the actual exposure.
Exposure context
Measure tasks and assess daily dose. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Emergency sirenTransport110–129 dBAMove away from a nearby siren.
Why it varies
NIDCD publishes 110–129 dBA. Siren design, distance, reflections, and whether you are inside a vehicle change the level.
Exposure context
Move away from a nearby siren. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Jet takeoff · 200 ft (61 m) awayVery Loud / Impulse≈ 130 dBAVery loud continuous source, not an impulse.
Why it varies
OSHA’s approximate 130 dBA example is at 200 feet. Aircraft type, engine setting, direction, and distance matter. Its category includes very loud sustained sources as well as impulses.
Exposure context
Very loud continuous source, not an impulse. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
Fireworks show · impulse soundVery Loud / Impulse140–160 dBAIntense bursts; peak assessment is separate.
Why it varies
NIDCD gives 140–160 dBA as an illustrative fireworks rating. Bursts vary with charge and distance; this range does not establish a steady average or a measured unweighted peak. Do not compare it directly with the OSHA 140 dB peak guidance.
Exposure context
Intense bursts; peak assessment is separate. Level, duration, and repeated exposure all matter. This reference is not a guarantee of injury-free listening.
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Sources & methodology: NIDCD supplies the published sound ranges; CDC/NIOSH supplies the 85–90 dBA equipment examples. OSHA supplies approximate scale examples and the specific 98–118 dBA planer case. Source distances are retained where given; unspecified distances remain unspecified. These are orientation values, not DML measurements or guaranteed bounds. Fireworks are impulses, not a steady exposure average. Sources checked 15 October 2026.
NIDCD: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss · CDC/NIOSH: Noise and Hearing Loss · OSHA Technical Manual: Noise · Methodology · Accuracy & Limitations
Compare Two Sound Levels
Compare B relative to A. Use the same weighting, reference, and measurement conditions for both levels.
Hearing Exposure Guidance
Two different U.S. occupational models. These durations describe constant daily exposure at one level, not a guaranteed injury-free listening time. Other noise during the day also contributes to exposure.
NIOSH · recommended exposure limit
85 dBA averaged over 8 hours; each 3 dB increase halves the recommended duration. Formula: T = 8 × 2^((85 − L)/3) hours. This recommendation aims to reduce occupational hearing-loss risk; susceptibility varies.
| Level (dBA) | Duration per day |
|---|---|
| 85 | 8 h |
| 88 | 4 h |
| 91 | 2 h |
| 94 | 1 h |
| 97 | 30 min |
| 100 | 15 min |
OSHA · permissible exposure limit
90 dBA over 8 hours with a 5 dB exchange rate. Each 5 dB increase halves the duration. Model: T = 8 × 2^((90 − L)/5) hours. The examples below are Table G-16 values for U.S. general industry, measured A-weighted at slow response.
| Level (dBA) | Duration per day |
|---|---|
| 90 | 8 h |
| 95 | 4 h |
| 100 | 2 h |
| 105 | 1 h |
| 110 | 30 min |
| 115 | 15 min |
Separate action level: 85 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted average triggers OSHA hearing-conservation programs in general industry. It is not the 90 dBA PEL.
Mixed exposures need a daily dose assessment. A spot reading alone cannot determine compliance. OSHA Table G-16 ends at 115 dBA; this page does not extrapolate it above that level.
Impulse / peak noise: OSHA states that impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level. That peak limit is distinct from A-weighted daily averages. Intense impulses can injure hearing; duration formulas and browser microphones cannot reliably assess them.
Understanding the Decibel Scale
Decibels are logarithmic: an increase of 10 dB corresponds to ten times the sound intensity. 0 dB SPL refers to the reference sound pressure of 20 µPa in air, close to a young healthy listener’s hearing threshold at certain frequencies. It is not an absence of sound; negative dB SPL values are possible.
- Quiet · below 50 dBA
- Low-level surroundings such as a quiet study room. Lower hearing-exposure concern does not mean universal safety.
- Moderate · 50–69 dBA
- Ordinary conversation and residential surroundings. These bands describe the setting, not a medical boundary.
- Loud · 70–84 dBA
- Raised background noise and some traffic or venues. Duration, repetition, and individual sensitivity still matter.
- High exposure · 85 dBA and above
- Reduce noise and time near the source; use suitable hearing protection. Recommended durations shrink as levels rise.
Measure Your Actual Environment
Charts show typical values. Your environment is different. Measure the sound around you directly with Decibel Meter Lab.
Microphone audio stays in your browser and is not uploaded.
Why Sound Levels Vary
- Distance
- Farther from a source usually means a lower level. In an ideal free field, doubling distance from a point source reduces sound pressure level by about 6 dB; rooms and multiple sources change this.
- Room reflections
- Hard walls reflect sound; soft furnishings absorb some of it. Reverberation and nearby surfaces can change a reading at the same distance.
- Source variation
- Machine model, operating load, maintenance, playback volume, and the activity itself change output. An event’s average and brief peaks are different quantities.
- Microphone & device
- Microphone frequency response, calibration, clipping, automatic gain, and browser processing limit accuracy. A laptop or phone is not a calibrated compliance meter.
- Measurement weighting
- A, C, and Z weighting treat frequencies differently. Time response and averaging period also matter; compare measurements using matching settings.
Check your input with the Microphone Test, inspect frequency content with the Spectrum Analyzer, or explore frequency using the Tone Generator at a low playback volume.
dB vs dBA
dB expresses a logarithmic level relative to a reference. dBA identifies A-weighting, which reduces the contribution of low and very high frequencies in a way used for hearing-exposure assessments. There is no single conversion from dB to dBA without knowing the sound’s frequency spectrum. A dBA average and an unweighted peak are not interchangeable.
Full Decibel Reference Table
Exports include the complete reference, regardless of chart filters. To print without JavaScript, use your browser’s Print command.
| Sound | Typical dBA range | Category | Exposure context | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quiet study room | ≈ 20 dBA | Home | Low-level indoor reference. | OSHA |
| Quiet outdoors · Grand Canyon north rim | ≈ 30 dBA | Nature | Low-level outdoor reference. | OSHA |
| Soft whisper · 5 ft (1.5 m) away | ≈ 40 dBA | Home | Low-level speech reference. | OSHA |
| Urban residence | ≈ 50 dBA | Home | Background varies with activity. | OSHA |
| Normal conversation | 60–70 dBA | Home | Typical speech; background matters. | NIDCD |
| Classroom chatter | ≈ 70 dBA | Work & Tools | Activity and duration change exposure. | OSHA |
| Movie theater | 74–104 dBA | Music & Events | Loud scenes may warrant protection. | NIDCD |
| Freight train · 100 ft (30 m) away | ≈ 80 dBA | Transport | Brief pass-by; closer can be louder. | OSHA |
| Motorcycles & dirt bikes | 80–110 dBA | Transport | Upper range needs reduced exposure. | NIDCD |
| Vacuum cleaner · noisy models | 85–90 dBA | Home | Repeated use can add to daily exposure. | CDC/NIOSH |
| Lawn mower · noisy equipment | 85–90 dBA | Work & Tools | Use protection and reduce exposure. | CDC/NIOSH |
| Power tools · example equipment | 85–90 dBA | Work & Tools | Protect hearing during noisy work. | CDC/NIOSH |
| Printing press | 85–90 dBA | Work & Tools | Sustained workplace exposure matters. | CDC/NIOSH |
| Boiler room | ≈ 90 dBA | Work & Tools | Assess daily occupational exposure. | OSHA |
| Headphones · maximum volume | 94–110 dBA | Music & Events | Turn volume down; exposure rises quickly. | NIDCD |
| Sporting event | 94–110 dBA | Music & Events | Protection and quieter breaks help. | NIDCD |
| Concert | 94–110 dBA | Music & Events | Use protection; move away from speakers. | NIDCD |
| Large wood planer · OSHA case example | 98–118 dBA | Work & Tools | Very loud work; source controls needed. | OSHA |
| Construction site | ≈ 100 dBA | Work & Tools | Measure tasks and assess daily dose. | OSHA |
| Emergency siren | 110–129 dBA | Transport | Move away from a nearby siren. | NIDCD |
| Jet takeoff · 200 ft (61 m) away | ≈ 130 dBA | Very Loud / Impulse | Very loud continuous source, not an impulse. | OSHA |
| Fireworks show · impulse sound | 140–160 dBA | Very Loud / Impulse | Intense bursts; peak assessment is separate. | NIDCD |