This decibel chart shows how loud common sounds are, from a whisper at 30 dB to fireworks at 150 dB and the loudest sound physically possible in air. Search for a sound, filter by category, or type any decibel level to see what it compares to, how much louder it is than conversation and how long it is safe to hear each day.
Decibel Chart
How loud are everyday sounds? Type any decibel level to see what it compares to and how long it is safe, or search the chart below.
| dB | Sound | How loud | Compared with conversation | NIOSH safe time per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Threshold of hearing: the quietest sound a young, healthy ear can detectReference | Very quiet | 1/64 as loud | No limit (under 85 dB) |
| 10 | Normal breathingHome | Very quiet | 1/32 as loud | No limit (under 85 dB) |
| 20 | Ticking watch, rustling leavesHome | Very quiet | 1/16 as loud | No limit (under 85 dB) |
| 30 | Soft whisper, quiet bedroom at nightHome | Very quiet | 1/8 as loud | No limit (under 85 dB) |
| 30 | Quiet countryside at nightOutdoors | Very quiet | 1/8 as loud | No limit (under 85 dB) |
| 40 | Refrigerator hum, quiet libraryHome | Quiet | 1/4 as loud | No limit (under 85 dB) |
| 50 | Moderate rainfall, quiet office Is 50 dB loud?Outdoors | Quiet | 1/2 as loud | No limit (under 85 dB) |
| 60 | Normal conversation, air conditioner Is 60 dB loud?Home | Moderate | Reference (1×) | No limit (under 85 dB) |
| 70 | Washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner Is 70 dB loud?Home | Loud | 2× as loud | No limit (under 85 dB) |
| 70 | Busy restaurant or open-plan officeWork and public places | Loud | 2× as loud | No limit (under 85 dB) |
| 80 | City traffic heard inside a car, alarm clock Is 80 dB loud?Transport | Loud | 4× as loud | No limit (under 85 dB) |
| 85 | Heavy city traffic, food blender Is 85 dB dangerous?Transport | Risky with long exposure | 5.7× as loud | 8 h |
| 90 | Gas lawn mower (80–95 dB depending on model), shouting nearby Is 90 dB loud?Outdoors | Risky with long exposure | 8× as loud | 2 h 31 min |
| 95 | MotorcycleTransport | Risky with long exposure | 11× as loud | 48 min |
| 100 | Approaching subway train, car horn at 5 m, sports stadium Is 100 dB loud?Transport | Dangerous within minutes | 16× as loud | 15 min |
| 105 | Headphones or music player at maximum volumeMusic and events | Dangerous within minutes | 23× as loud | 4.7 min |
| 110 | Rock concert, nightclub, chainsawMusic and events | Dangerous within minutes | 32× as loud | 1.5 min |
| 110 | Shouting or a dog barking right next to your earHome | Dangerous within minutes | 32× as loud | 1.5 min |
| 120 | Siren up close, thunderclapExtreme | Painful, instant damage possible | 64× as loud | 9 s |
| 130 | Threshold of pain for many people (roughly 120–140 dB)Reference | Painful, instant damage possible | 128× as loud | Under 1 second |
| 140 | Jet engine at 30 m, gunshot (peaks can exceed 160 dB)Extreme | Painful, instant damage possible | 256× as loud | Under 1 second |
| 150 | Firecrackers at close rangeExtreme | Painful, instant damage possible | 512× as loud | Under 1 second |
| 194 | Loudest undistorted sound possible in air at sea levelReference | Painful, instant damage possible | 10,809× as loud | Under 1 second |
Typical levels at normal listening distance, based on NIDCD and CDC/NIOSH noise charts; real sounds vary with distance and source. “Compared with conversation” uses the rule of thumb that +10 dB sounds about twice as loud. Safe times follow the NIOSH limit of 85 dB(A) for 8 hours with a 3 dB exchange rate.
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How to Read a Decibel Chart
Decibels (dB) measure sound level on a logarithmic scale, so the numbers don’t add up the way you might expect (what a decibel is). Three rules of thumb make any chart easy to read:
- +10 dB sounds about twice as loud. A 70 dB vacuum cleaner sounds roughly twice as loud as 60 dB conversation, and 80 dB traffic about four times as loud.
- +10 dB is 10 times the sound energy, and +3 dB is double the energy. That’s why hearing-safe times halve with every 3 dB.
- Doubling your distance from a sound lowers it by about 6 dB outdoors, which is why charts quote a typical distance.
Most everyday charts use A-weighted decibels, dB(A), which match how our ears hear (dB vs dBA). For the maths behind the scale, see why the decibel scale is logarithmic.
Decibel Levels From Quiet to Dangerous
| Range | What it means | Typical sounds |
|---|---|---|
| 0–39 dB | Very quiet | Breathing, rustling leaves, whisper, quiet bedroom |
| 40–59 dB | Quiet | Refrigerator, library, moderate rain, quiet office |
| 60–69 dB | Moderate | Normal conversation, air conditioner |
| 70–84 dB | Loud but safe for most of a day | Vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, busy restaurant, city traffic |
| 85–99 dB | Risky with long exposure | Heavy traffic, blender, lawn mower, motorcycle |
| 100–119 dB | Dangerous within minutes | Subway train, headphones at maximum, concerts, chainsaw |
| 120 dB and above | Painful; instant damage possible | Sirens up close, thunder, gunshots, fireworks |
How Long Is Safe at Each Level?
Hearing damage depends on both level and time. NIOSH recommends no more than 85 dB(A) averaged over 8 hours, halving the time for every 3 dB more. OSHA’s legal workplace limit is 90 dB(A) for 8 hours, halving every 5 dB, and it doesn’t allow exposure above 115 dB(A).
| Level, dB(A) | NIOSH recommended | OSHA legal limit |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | 8 hours | No limit (under 90) |
| 90 | 2 h 31 min | 8 hours |
| 95 | 48 min | 4 hours |
| 100 | 15 min | 2 hours |
| 105 | 4.7 min | 1 hour |
| 110 | 1.5 min | 30 min |
| 115 | 28 s | 15 min |
The full comparison is in NIOSH and OSHA noise exposure limits, and the safe noise levels chart covers everyday situations.
Why Decibel Charts Don’t Always Agree
You will find the same sound listed at different levels on different charts. The main reasons are distance (a lawn mower measured at the operator’s ear is much louder than from across the garden), the model and condition of the source, the room it is in, and whether the value is an average or a peak. This chart uses typical A-weighted values at normal listening distance from the NIDCD and CDC/NIOSH noise charts, so treat each number as a guide give or take 5–10 dB.
Measure the Sounds Around You
The best way to know how loud your own environment is, is to measure it. Use the Measure a sound now button in the chart, hold the device where your ears are and measure for at least 15–30 seconds. How to measure decibels explains the method, and sound pressure level explains what the meter is measuring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the loudest sound possible?
In air at sea level, about 194 dB: at that point the quiet part of the sound wave reaches a vacuum, so louder waves distort into shock waves. Rocket launches and explosions can exceed it as blast waves.
What decibel level is harmful?
Long or repeated exposure above 85 dB(A) can damage hearing, and the safe time shrinks quickly as the level rises. Sounds of 120 dB and above can cause pain and immediate damage.
Is 0 dB silence?
No. 0 dB is the threshold of hearing, the quietest sound a young, healthy ear can detect. Sounds below 0 dB exist but are too quiet for us to hear.
How loud is normal conversation?
About 60 dB at a normal speaking distance of one metre. A raised voice is around 70 dB, and shouting close by can reach 80–90 dB.