How Long Is It Safe at This Noise Level

The permissible exposure time at every level from 71 to 139 decibels, under both the NIOSH recommended limit and the more permissive OSHA enforceable limit. These are the only genuinely regulatory figures on this site, and the two standards disagree by a wide margin.

69 pages in this section. Published figures from named standards bodies and regulators.

• 71 dB: How Loud Is 71 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 71 dB is about as loud as a washing machine. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 72 dB: How Loud Is 72 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 72 dB is about as loud as a washing machine. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 73 dB: How Loud Is 73 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 73 dB is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 74 dB: How Loud Is 74 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 74 dB is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 75 dB: How Loud Is 75 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 75 dB is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 76 dB: How Loud Is 76 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 76 dB is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 77 dB: How Loud Is 77 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 77 dB is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 78 dB: How Loud Is 78 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 78 dB is about as loud as an alarm clock at half a metre. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 79 dB: How Loud Is 79 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 79 dB is about as loud as an alarm clock at half a metre. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 80 dB: How Loud Is 80 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 80 dB is about as loud as an alarm clock at half a metre. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 81 dB: How Loud Is 81 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 81 dB is about as loud as an alarm clock at half a metre. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 82 dB: How Loud Is 82 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 82 dB is about as loud as an alarm clock at half a metre. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 83 dB: How Loud Is 83 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 83 dB is about as loud as city traffic from the pavement. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 84 dB: How Loud Is 84 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 84 dB is about as loud as city traffic from the pavement. That is under the 85 dBA NIOSH recommended limit, so a full 8 hour day at this level is within it.
• 85 dB: How Loud Is 85 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 85 dB is about as loud as city traffic from the pavement. NIOSH allows 8 hours a day at 85 dBA; OSHA allows 16 hours.
• 86 dB: How Loud Is 86 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 86 dB is about as loud as city traffic from the pavement. NIOSH allows 6.3 hours a day at 86 dBA; OSHA allows 13.9 hours.
• 87 dB: How Loud Is 87 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 87 dB is about as loud as city traffic from the pavement. NIOSH allows 5 hours a day at 87 dBA; OSHA allows 12.1 hours.
• 88 dB: How Loud Is 88 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 88 dB is about as loud as a petrol lawnmower. NIOSH allows 4 hours a day at 88 dBA; OSHA allows 10.6 hours.
• 89 dB: How Loud Is 89 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 89 dB is about as loud as a petrol lawnmower. NIOSH allows 3.2 hours a day at 89 dBA; OSHA allows 9.2 hours.
• 90 dB: How Loud Is 90 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 90 dB is about as loud as a petrol lawnmower. NIOSH allows 2.5 hours a day at 90 dBA; OSHA allows 8 hours.
• 91 dB: How Loud Is 91 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 91 dB is about as loud as a petrol lawnmower. NIOSH allows 2 hours a day at 91 dBA; OSHA allows 7 hours.
• 92 dB: How Loud Is 92 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 92 dB is about as loud as a petrol lawnmower. NIOSH allows 1.6 hours a day at 92 dBA; OSHA allows 6.1 hours.
• 93 dB: How Loud Is 93 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 93 dB is about as loud as a subway train passing on the platform. NIOSH allows 1.3 hours a day at 93 dBA; OSHA allows 5.3 hours.
• 94 dB: How Loud Is 94 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 94 dB is about as loud as a subway train passing on the platform. NIOSH allows 1 hour a day at 94 dBA; OSHA allows 4.6 hours.
• 95 dB: How Loud Is 95 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 95 dB is about as loud as a subway train passing on the platform. NIOSH allows 47.6 minutes a day at 95 dBA; OSHA allows 4 hours.
• 96 dB: How Loud Is 96 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 96 dB is about as loud as a subway train passing on the platform. NIOSH allows 37.8 minutes a day at 96 dBA; OSHA allows 3.5 hours.
• 97 dB: How Loud Is 97 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 97 dB is about as loud as a hand drill. NIOSH allows 30 minutes a day at 97 dBA; OSHA allows 3 hours.
• 98 dB: How Loud Is 98 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 98 dB is about as loud as a hand drill. NIOSH allows 23.8 minutes a day at 98 dBA; OSHA allows 2.6 hours.
• 99 dB: How Loud Is 99 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 99 dB is about as loud as a hand drill. NIOSH allows 18.9 minutes a day at 99 dBA; OSHA allows 2.3 hours.
• 100 dB: How Loud Is 100 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 100 dB is about as loud as a farm tractor. NIOSH allows 15 minutes a day at 100 dBA; OSHA allows 2 hours.
• 101 dB: How Loud Is 101 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 101 dB is about as loud as a farm tractor. NIOSH allows 11.9 minutes a day at 101 dBA; OSHA allows 1.7 hours.
• 102 dB: How Loud Is 102 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 102 dB is about as loud as a farm tractor. NIOSH allows 9.4 minutes a day at 102 dBA; OSHA allows 1.5 hours.
• 103 dB: How Loud Is 103 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 103 dB is about as loud as a chainsaw. NIOSH allows 7.5 minutes a day at 103 dBA; OSHA allows 1.3 hours.
• 104 dB: How Loud Is 104 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 104 dB is about as loud as a chainsaw. NIOSH allows 6 minutes a day at 104 dBA; OSHA allows 1.1 hours.
• 105 dB: How Loud Is 105 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 105 dB is about as loud as a chainsaw. NIOSH allows 4.7 minutes a day at 105 dBA; OSHA allows 1 hour.
• 106 dB: How Loud Is 106 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 106 dB is about as loud as a chainsaw. NIOSH allows 3.8 minutes a day at 106 dBA; OSHA allows 52.2 minutes.
• 107 dB: How Loud Is 107 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 107 dB is about as loud as a chainsaw. NIOSH allows 3 minutes a day at 107 dBA; OSHA allows 45.5 minutes.
• 108 dB: How Loud Is 108 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 108 dB is about as loud as a rock concert near the stage. NIOSH allows 2.4 minutes a day at 108 dBA; OSHA allows 39.6 minutes.
• 109 dB: How Loud Is 109 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 109 dB is about as loud as a rock concert near the stage. NIOSH allows 1.9 minutes a day at 109 dBA; OSHA allows 34.5 minutes.
• 110 dB: How Loud Is 110 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 110 dB is about as loud as a rock concert near the stage. NIOSH allows 1.5 minutes a day at 110 dBA; OSHA allows 30 minutes.
• 111 dB: How Loud Is 111 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 111 dB is about as loud as a rock concert near the stage. NIOSH allows 1.2 minutes a day at 111 dBA; OSHA allows 26.1 minutes.
• 112 dB: How Loud Is 112 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 112 dB is about as loud as a rock concert near the stage. NIOSH allows 56 seconds a day at 112 dBA; OSHA allows 22.7 minutes.
• 113 dB: How Loud Is 113 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 113 dB is about as loud as a rock concert near the stage. NIOSH allows 45 seconds a day at 113 dBA; OSHA allows 19.8 minutes.
• 114 dB: How Loud Is 114 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 114 dB is near a rock concert near the stage (110 dBA). NIOSH allows 35 seconds a day at 114 dBA; OSHA allows 17.2 minutes.
• 115 dB: How Loud Is 115 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 115 dB is near a rock concert near the stage (110 dBA). NIOSH allows 28 seconds a day at 115 dBA; OSHA allows 15 minutes.
• 116 dB: How Loud Is 116 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 116 dB is near an emergency vehicle siren at close range (120 dBA). NIOSH allows 22 seconds a day at 116 dBA; OSHA allows 13.1 minutes.
• 117 dB: How Loud Is 117 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 117 dB is about as loud as an emergency vehicle siren at close range. NIOSH allows 18 seconds a day at 117 dBA; OSHA allows 11.4 minutes.
• 118 dB: How Loud Is 118 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 118 dB is about as loud as an emergency vehicle siren at close range. NIOSH allows 14 seconds a day at 118 dBA; OSHA allows 9.9 minutes.
• 119 dB: How Loud Is 119 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 119 dB is about as loud as an emergency vehicle siren at close range. NIOSH allows 11 seconds a day at 119 dBA; OSHA allows 8.6 minutes.
• 120 dB: How Loud Is 120 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 120 dB is about as loud as an emergency vehicle siren at close range. NIOSH allows 9 seconds a day at 120 dBA; OSHA allows 7.5 minutes.
• 121 dB: How Loud Is 121 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 121 dB is about as loud as an emergency vehicle siren at close range. NIOSH allows 7 seconds a day at 121 dBA; OSHA allows 6.5 minutes.
• 122 dB: How Loud Is 122 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 122 dB is about as loud as an emergency vehicle siren at close range. NIOSH allows 6 seconds a day at 122 dBA; OSHA allows 5.7 minutes.
• 123 dB: How Loud Is 123 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 123 dB is about as loud as an emergency vehicle siren at close range. NIOSH allows 4 seconds a day at 123 dBA; OSHA allows 4.9 minutes.
• 124 dB: How Loud Is 124 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 124 dB is near an emergency vehicle siren at close range (120 dBA). NIOSH allows 4 seconds a day at 124 dBA; OSHA allows 4.3 minutes.
• 125 dB: How Loud Is 125 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 125 dB is near an emergency vehicle siren at close range (120 dBA). NIOSH allows 3 seconds a day at 125 dBA; OSHA allows 3.8 minutes.
• 126 dB: How Loud Is 126 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 126 dB is near an emergency vehicle siren at close range (120 dBA). NIOSH allows 2 seconds a day at 126 dBA; OSHA allows 3.3 minutes.
• 127 dB: How Loud Is 127 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 127 dB is near an emergency vehicle siren at close range (120 dBA). NIOSH allows 2 seconds a day at 127 dBA; OSHA allows 2.8 minutes.
• 128 dB: How Loud Is 128 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 128 dB is near an emergency vehicle siren at close range (120 dBA). NIOSH allows 1 second a day at 128 dBA; OSHA allows 2.5 minutes.
• 129 dB: How Loud Is 129 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 129 dB is near an emergency vehicle siren at close range (120 dBA). NIOSH allows 1 second a day at 129 dBA; OSHA allows 2.2 minutes.
• 130 dB: How Loud Is 130 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 130 dB is near an emergency vehicle siren at close range (120 dBA). NIOSH allows 1 second a day at 130 dBA; OSHA allows 1.9 minutes.
• 131 dB: How Loud Is 131 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 131 dB is near a jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres (140 dBA). NIOSH allows 1 second a day at 131 dBA; OSHA allows 1.6 minutes.
• 132 dB: How Loud Is 132 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 132 dB is near a jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres (140 dBA). NIOSH allows 1 second a day at 132 dBA; OSHA allows 1.4 minutes.
• 133 dB: How Loud Is 133 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 133 dB is near a jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres (140 dBA). NIOSH allows less than 1 second a day at 133 dBA; OSHA allows 1.2 minutes.
• 134 dB: How Loud Is 134 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 134 dB is near a jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres (140 dBA). NIOSH allows less than 1 second a day at 134 dBA; OSHA allows 1.1 minutes.
• 135 dB: How Loud Is 135 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 135 dB is near a jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres (140 dBA). NIOSH allows less than 1 second a day at 135 dBA; OSHA allows 56 seconds.
• 136 dB: How Loud Is 136 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 136 dB is near a jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres (140 dBA). NIOSH allows less than 1 second a day at 136 dBA; OSHA allows 49 seconds.
• 137 dB: How Loud Is 137 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 137 dB is about as loud as a jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres. NIOSH allows less than 1 second a day at 137 dBA; OSHA allows 43 seconds.
• 138 dB: How Loud Is 138 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 138 dB is about as loud as a jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres. NIOSH allows less than 1 second a day at 138 dBA; OSHA allows 37 seconds.
• 139 dB: How Loud Is 139 Decibels and How Long Is Safe? 139 dB is about as loud as a jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres. NIOSH allows less than 1 second a day at 139 dBA; OSHA allows 32 seconds.

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.