Check the sound level around you with your phone or computer microphone. This free online decibel meter gives you a live sound dB reading, plus the minimum, maximum, peak and session average (Leq). Press Start, allow microphone access, and measure from the place where you want to know the noise level. No app or sign-up is needed.
Use the reading for a quick sound check or to compare the same space before and after a change. Browser microphone readings are estimates; a calibrated sound level meter is needed for formal exposure, workplace or legal measurements.
Sound Decibel Meter
Press Start and allow the microphone to see the sound level around you in decibels.
Ready to measure
Microphone off. Nothing is recorded or uploaded; sound is analysed in your browser.
- Minimum
- –
- Average (Leq)
- –
- Maximum
- –
- Peak
- –
- Time
- 00:00
Your reading will be compared with everyday sounds below.
Loudness scale
| dB | Typical sound |
|---|---|
| 30 | Whisper, quiet bedroom at night |
| 40 | Quiet library, refrigerator hum |
| 50 | Moderate rainfall, quiet office |
| 60 | Normal conversation |
| 70 | Vacuum cleaner, busy restaurant |
| 80 | City traffic, alarm clock |
| 85 | Heavy traffic, food blender |
| 90 | Lawn mower, shouting nearby |
| 100 | Motorcycle, hand dryer up close |
| 110 | Rock concert, chainsaw |
| 120 | Siren up close, thunder |
Typical levels; real sounds vary with distance and source.
Settings
Recent sessions on this device
- No saved sessions yet.
Browser readings are estimates. Phone and laptop microphones are not certified sound level meters, so use them for comparisons and everyday checks, not legal or workplace compliance.
How to Check Sound dB Levels
Take a reading
- Press Start and allow microphone access in your browser.
- Place the phone or computer where you want to assess the sound. Keep its microphone uncovered and avoid touching or moving it during the reading.
- Watch the live dB value. For steady sound, let the meter run for at least 15–30 seconds. Measure longer when sound comes and goes.
- Read Average (Leq) for the measured session. Check Maximum and Peak for loud events.
- Press Stop when finished. Copy the result, download a CSV or save a report image if you want to compare sessions.
Make comparisons meaningful
Use the same device, microphone, distance and meter settings for a before-and-after check. A reading taken beside a speaker cannot be compared directly with one taken across the room.
For placement and common sources of error, follow the step-by-step decibel measurement guide.
What Your Decibel Meter Result Means
The live number changes as the sound around the microphone changes. A single moment can identify a loud event, but it does not describe a whole day of exposure. Choose the reading that answers your question.
| Reading | What it shows | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Current | The changing sound level | A quick check while sound is happening |
| Minimum | Lowest level observed in this session | Quieter moments with the same settings |
| Average (Leq) | Energy-equivalent average over the measured session | Overall level during that session |
| Maximum | Highest displayed level during the session | The loudest event shown by the meter |
| Peak | Highest brief peak detected by the tool | Spotting transients; this is not a certified peak measurement |
Leq gives louder moments more weight than an ordinary arithmetic average of dB numbers. It describes the period you measured, not an unmeasured work shift or whole day. Read what Leq means for the full explanation.
Decibels use a logarithmic scale. A 10 dB rise represents ten times the sound intensity under otherwise comparable conditions, not a ten-percent increase. Examples are useful context, but the same source can read differently as distance and room acoustics change. Compare examples on the decibel chart.
Choose dB(A), dB(C) or dB(Z)
dB(A)
The default setting reduces the contribution of very low and high frequencies to approximate human hearing response. Use it when comparing an estimated reading with guidance expressed in dBA.
dB(C)
Retains more low-frequency content. It can help when checking bass-heavy music or equipment.
dB(Z)
Applies no frequency weighting in the tool. Keep the same weighting when comparing sessions.
Fast response follows changes more quickly; Slow steadies a fluctuating display. The dBA versus dBC guide explains why one sound can produce different readings with each setting.
How Accurate Is a Browser Decibel Meter?
The meter uses your device’s microphone to estimate a sound level. Phones and computers differ in microphone sensitivity, frequency response and built-in processing. The browser may request that automatic gain and noise reduction be disabled, but the device may still process the signal. Distance, wind, handling noise and microphone clipping can change the result too.
For a better comparison, leave the device in one position and repeat the check under similar conditions. If you have a calibrated reference meter, use Settings → Match a reference meter while both devices measure the same steady sound at the same location. Follow the microphone calibration instructions. An offset does not turn your device into a certified instrument; see the accuracy and limitations guide.
Microphone audio is analysed in the browser. The tool says it does not record or upload audio. Settings and recent session summaries may be saved on your device.
When Is Sound Too Loud?
Hearing risk depends on the level and how long you hear it. NIOSH recommends limiting occupational exposure to an eight-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA, with recommended duration halving for each 3 dBA increase. That is a workplace exposure recommendation, not a verdict from one short browser reading. This tool cannot know your full daily exposure from a brief session.
If sound seems uncomfortably loud, lower the level, move away or use suitable hearing protection. To estimate exposure across several levels and durations, use the noise exposure calculator. For the underlying guidance, see the NIOSH and OSHA noise limits guide.
Common Ways to Use the Meter
Home, office or speaking voice
Check the level where you sit, then compare it after closing a window or switching off a noisy appliance. To compare speaking levels, keep the microphone at the same distance from the speaker each time. The room noise levels guide puts different rooms in context.
Recording space
Measure the quiet room before speaking or playing audio. The podcast room noise guide covers recording-specific choices.
Music and events
Watch the level during an event. Choose dB(C) to examine bass-heavy sound and keep the microphone away from direct contact with a speaker. See the DJ and club sound levels guide.
Intermittent noise
Measure while neighbour or traffic noise occurs and keep the session summary as a personal record. Check local requirements before relying on a browser reading for a formal complaint; see how to measure noise for a complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this decibel meter free on a phone and computer?
Yes. Open this page in a browser, press Start and allow microphone access. No app installation is needed. Browser and device permission settings can affect whether the mic starts. For setup, see the iPhone, Android or PC instructions.
Can I check sound dB without microphone access?
No. A live sound-level estimate needs microphone input. If permission was blocked, allow the microphone for this site in your browser settings and try again. Use the microphone test to check the input separately.
Why is my reading different from another device or app?
Microphones, calibration, audio processing, distance and dB(A)/dB(C) settings can all differ. Compare devices in the same position with the same settings, and use a calibrated reference meter when an absolute reading matters.
Does the meter record my voice or upload audio?
The tool says microphone audio is analysed in your browser and is not recorded or uploaded. Settings and recent session summaries can remain on your device.
Can I use this reading for a workplace limit or noise complaint?
Use it as an informal estimate. Formal workplace or legal measurements may require an appropriate calibrated instrument, a defined method and local documentation rules.
Explore a Specific Sound Task
After checking the overall sound level here, choose a focused tool for your next question.
Background Noise Test
Focus on room ambience before a call or recording.
Volume Level Comparator
Compare two dB values to understand the size of the difference.
Frequency Analyzer
Inspect which frequencies are present in a sound.