How Loud Is It, in Decibels
A page for every everyday sound: the typical A-weighted level, what else sits at that level, whether it is above the threshold where hearing protection is recommended, and how long it can be listened to under the NIOSH limit.
32 pages in this section. Published figures from named standards bodies and regulators.
- How Many Decibels Is Normal breathing Normal breathing is typically around 10 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is Rustling leaves Rustling leaves is typically around 20 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is A whisper at one metre A whisper at one metre is typically around 30 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is A quiet library A quiet library is typically around 40 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is A refrigerator humming A refrigerator humming is typically around 45 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is A quiet office A quiet office is typically around 50 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is Moderate rainfall Moderate rainfall is typically around 55 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is Normal conversation at one metre Normal conversation at one metre is typically around 60 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is A dishwasher running A dishwasher running is typically around 60 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is An air conditioner at six metres An air conditioner at six metres is typically around 60 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is A washing machine A washing machine is typically around 70 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is Highway traffic from inside a car Highway traffic from inside a car is typically around 70 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is A vacuum cleaner A vacuum cleaner is typically around 75 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is An alarm clock at half a metre An alarm clock at half a metre is typically around 80 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is A garbage disposal A garbage disposal is typically around 80 decibels A-weighted. That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins.
- How Many Decibels Is City traffic from the pavement City traffic from the pavement is typically around 85 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 8 hours of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A petrol lawnmower A petrol lawnmower is typically around 90 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 2.5 hours of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A hair dryer A hair dryer is typically around 90 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 2.5 hours of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A subway train passing on the platform A subway train passing on the platform is typically around 95 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 47.6 minutes of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A motorcycle at close range A motorcycle at close range is typically around 95 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 47.6 minutes of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A hand drill A hand drill is typically around 98 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 23.8 minutes of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A farm tractor A farm tractor is typically around 100 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 15 minutes of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A nightclub dance floor A nightclub dance floor is typically around 100 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 15 minutes of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A chainsaw A chainsaw is typically around 105 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 4.7 minutes of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A petrol leaf blower A petrol leaf blower is typically around 105 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 4.7 minutes of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A loud sporting event crowd A loud sporting event crowd is typically around 105 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 4.7 minutes of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A rock concert near the stage A rock concert near the stage is typically around 110 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 1.5 minutes of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is An emergency vehicle siren at close range An emergency vehicle siren at close range is typically around 120 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 9 seconds of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A nearby thunderclap A nearby thunderclap is typically around 120 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 9 seconds of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A jackhammer at one metre A jackhammer at one metre is typically around 120 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 9 seconds of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres A jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres is typically around 140 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows 0 seconds of exposure.
- How Many Decibels Is A firecracker A firecracker is typically around 150 decibels A-weighted. That is at or above the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, which allows null of exposure.
Not medical advice, not a hearing test, not a diagnosis. Everything in this section is general information compiled from published standards, regulatory classifications, manufacturer specifications and the consensus of verified owner reviews. The charts explain what a measurement shows. They cannot tell you what your hearing is, and nothing on this site can measure it. Only a licensed audiologist or physician can evaluate hearing. If hearing changed suddenly, affects one ear only, or comes with pain, drainage, dizziness or ringing alongside weakness or numbness, contact a doctor promptly rather than reading a chart.