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? About 10 dB Normal breathing is about 10 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Many Decibels Is Rustling Leaves? About 20 dB Rustling leaves is about 20 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Many Decibels Is a Whisper at One Metre? About 30 dB A whisper at one metre is about 30 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Many Decibels Is a Quiet Library? About 40 dB A quiet library is about 40 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Many Decibels Is a Refrigerator Humming? About 45 dB A refrigerator humming is about 45 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Many Decibels Is a Quiet Office? About 50 dB A quiet office is about 50 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Many Decibels Is Moderate Rainfall? About 55 dB Moderate rainfall is about 55 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Loud Is Normal Conversation at One Metre? About 60 dB Normal conversation at one metre is about 60 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Many Decibels Is a Dishwasher Running? About 60 dB A dishwasher running is about 60 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Loud Is an Air Conditioner at Six Metres? About 60 dB An air conditioner at six metres is about 60 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Many Decibels Is a Washing Machine? About 70 dB A washing machine is about 70 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Loud Is Highway Traffic from Inside a Car? About 70 dB Highway traffic from inside a car is about 70 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Many Decibels Is a Vacuum Cleaner? About 75 dB A vacuum cleaner is about 75 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Loud Is an Alarm Clock at Half a Metre? About 80 dB An alarm clock at half a metre is about 80 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Many Decibels Is a Garbage Disposal? About 80 dB A garbage disposal is about 80 dB (A-weighted). That is below the 85 dBA level where the NIOSH recommended exposure limit begins, so no time limit applies.
How Loud Is City Traffic from the Pavement? About 85 dB City traffic from the pavement is about 85 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 8 hours a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Petrol Lawnmower? About 90 dB A petrol lawnmower is about 90 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 2.5 hours a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Hair Dryer? About 90 dB A hair dryer is about 90 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 2.5 hours a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Loud Is a Subway Train Passing on the Platform? 95 dB A subway train passing on the platform is about 95 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 47.6 minutes a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Motorcycle at Close Range? About 95 dB A motorcycle at close range is about 95 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 47.6 minutes a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Hand Drill? About 98 dB A hand drill is about 98 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 23.8 minutes a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Farm Tractor? About 100 dB A farm tractor is about 100 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 15 minutes a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Nightclub Dance Floor? About 100 dB A nightclub dance floor is about 100 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 15 minutes a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Chainsaw? About 105 dB A chainsaw is about 105 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 4.7 minutes a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Petrol Leaf Blower? About 105 dB A petrol leaf blower is about 105 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 4.7 minutes a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Loud Sporting Event Crowd? About 105 dB A loud sporting event crowd is about 105 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 4.7 minutes a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Loud Is a Rock Concert Near the Stage? About 110 dB A rock concert near the stage is about 110 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 1.5 minutes a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Loud Is an Emergency Vehicle Siren at Close Range? 120 dB An emergency vehicle siren at close range is about 120 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 9 seconds a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Nearby Thunderclap? About 120 dB A nearby thunderclap is about 120 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 9 seconds a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Jackhammer at One Metre? About 120 dB A jackhammer at one metre is about 120 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows 9 seconds a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Loud Is a Jet Engine at Takeoff, Twenty-five Metres? 140 dB A jet engine at takeoff, twenty-five metres is about 140 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows less than 1 second a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.
How Many Decibels Is a Firecracker? About 150 dB A firecracker is about 150 dB (A-weighted). NIOSH allows null a day at that level before hearing protection is recommended.

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.