Short answer: A gunshot typically peaks at about 140–175 dB at the shooter’s ear, depending on calibre. A small-calibre .22 rifle is around 140 dB; larger rifles, pistols and shotguns are about 150–175 dB. A suppressor cuts the peak by roughly 20–35 dB, but most guns still stay above 130–140 dB, so hearing protection is needed for every shot.
Gunshots are among the loudest sounds people are ever exposed to, and a single unprotected shot can cause permanent hearing damage. This guide gives typical gunshot decibel levels, explains how suppressors, indoor ranges and distance change them, and covers hearing protection, acoustic trauma and tinnitus. It also explains why a phone decibel meter cannot measure a gunshot. The focus throughout is hearing safety.
How Many Decibels Is a Gunshot?
Figures are peak levels at or near the shooter’s ear. They vary with calibre, barrel length, ammunition and surroundings, so treat them as ranges.
| Firearm | Typical peak at the shooter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small-calibre rifle (.22) | About 140 dB | Quietest common firearm, still at the limit |
| Pistol or handgun | About 150–170 dB | Short barrels are often louder |
| Shotgun | About 150–165 dB | Varies with gauge and load |
| Larger centrefire rifle | About 150–175 dB | Muzzle brakes raise it for bystanders |
| With a suppressor | Roughly 20–35 dB lower | Most still 130–140+ dB |
Because decibels are logarithmic, a 160 dB shot carries 100 times the energy of a 140 dB shot. The logarithmic decibel scale explains the maths, and the decibel chart places gunshots against everyday sounds.
Why Gunshots Are So Damaging
A gunshot is impulse noise: the peak lasts only a few milliseconds, far too fast for the small muscles of the middle ear to react and damp it. Limits for this kind of noise are set as peak sound pressure level, usually C-weighted (see dB(A) vs dB(C)). OSHA says impulse noise should not exceed 140 dB peak, and EU Directive 2003/10/EC sets an exposure limit of 140 dB(C) peak. Almost every unprotected gunshot reaches or passes that figure at the shooter’s ear.
For comparison, 120 dB is around the threshold of discomfort and 130 dB is painful. The noise exposure limits guide explains how impulse limits sit alongside daily time limits.
Suppressors: How Much Do They Help?
A suppressor (also called a silencer or moderator) traps and slows the expanding gases at the muzzle. It typically lowers the peak by about 20–35 dB, which is a large cut in energy, but it does not make a firearm quiet. Supersonic ammunition still produces a sharp crack as the bullet travels, and the action makes its own noise. Most suppressed firearms remain at or above 130–140 dB, so hearing protection is still advised. Laws on suppressors differ widely between countries.
Indoor Ranges, Bystanders and Distance
Indoors, walls and ceilings reflect the blast back at the shooter, so exposure is higher and lasts longer than outdoors. Shooters in neighbouring lanes are also exposed to every shot. Muzzle brakes direct gas sideways and can make a rifle noticeably louder for anyone beside it.
Distance helps, but slowly. In open air the level falls about 6 dB per doubling of distance, so a shot that peaks at 160 dB at 1 m is still around 140 dB at 10 m. Try the figures in the decibel calculator.
Hearing Protection for Shooting
- Foam or moulded earplugs give good protection if fitted deeply and correctly.
- Earmuffs are quick to fit, but glasses arms and a cheek weld on a rifle stock can break the seal.
- Double protection (earplugs under earmuffs) is widely recommended for high-calibre firearms and indoor ranges. The combination adds protection, but not the sum of both ratings; a common rule of thumb in occupational guidance is roughly 5 dB more than the better device alone.
- Electronic earmuffs let normal conversation and range commands through, then limit or cut off loud impulses. They make it easier to keep protection on all session.
- Bystanders and children near a firing line need protection too.
Acoustic Trauma and Tinnitus
Very loud impulses can damage the inner ear in a single exposure, known as acoustic trauma. The first signs are muffled hearing and ringing. Repeated exposure over years typically produces high-frequency hearing loss, often showing as a dip around 3–6 kHz on a hearing test. In right-handed rifle shooters, the left ear, which is nearer the muzzle, is often the more affected ear.
Tinnitus that lasts, or hearing that stays dull after shooting, should be checked by a doctor or audiologist. Sudden hearing loss is a medical emergency. Our online hearing test can flag changes between check-ups, but it is a screen, not a diagnosis.
Why a Phone Cannot Measure a Gunshot
Our free decibel meter is designed for everyday sound between roughly 40 and 100 dB. Phone microphones clip or compress above about 100–120 dB: the signal hits the top of the digital scale, which is 0 dBFS, so every louder sound shows as the same maximum. Browser and app meters also report fast averages, so they miss a peak that lasts a few milliseconds.
Measuring gunshots properly needs a peak-capable Class 1 sound level meter with a microphone rated for very high levels. See sound level meter vs decibel meter, decibel meter vs sound pressure meter and online decibel meter accuracy for the details, or the decibel units guide for the terms.
For comparison with steady noise, even a sustained 100 dB is allowed for only 15 minutes a day under NIOSH, while a gunshot peak is tens of decibels higher still. The safe noise levels chart shows the full range. Anyone who shoots regularly should protect every shot and have their hearing tested by a professional from time to time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many decibels is a gunshot?
Typically about 140–175 dB peak at the shooter’s ear. A .22 rifle is about 140 dB; most pistols, shotguns and larger rifles are about 150–175 dB.
How loud is a suppressed gunshot?
A suppressor usually lowers the peak by about 20–35 dB, but most suppressed firearms still reach 130–140 dB or more, so hearing protection is still needed.
Can one gunshot cause permanent hearing loss?
It can. A single unprotected shot close to the ear can cause acoustic trauma. See a doctor if hearing does not return to normal within a day or two.
Do I need earplugs and earmuffs together?
Double protection is recommended for high-calibre firearms and indoor ranges, where one device alone may not bring the level down far enough.
Can I measure a gunshot with my phone?
No. Phone microphones clip well below gunshot levels and miss millisecond peaks. You need a peak-capable Class 1 meter.
Addito is an audio analysis and sound measurement writer specializing in decibel testing, noise level analysis, sound frequency measurement, and audio engineering tools for creators, audio professionals, students, and everyday users. He creates practical content focused on sound measurement, hearing safety, microphone testing, and acoustic analysis tools.