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Extremely loud · Sound level

How loud is 100 dB?

100 dB is extremely loud – sounds about 16.0 times as loud as normal conversation.

100 dB
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Listen: sounds near 100 dB

Black-Prince-Cicada- Psaltoda-plaga
0:31CC BY-SA 4.0by 7575uWikimedia Commons
0:31
Sec. Walsh on Construction Jobs in Infrastructure Bill v2
0:40Public domainby https://www.youtube.com/c/WhiteHouse/Wikimedia Commons
0:40
2 PaSound pressure
0.01 W/m²Intensity
×16.00Perceived vs. 60 dB talk
15 minutesNIOSH daily limit

How loud is 100 dB?

100 decibels is extremely loud. 100 dB sounds about 16.0 times as loud as normal conversation (60 dB), and it carries 1e+04 times the sound energy. Typical sounds around this level: cicada chorus, construction site, garbage truck.

Decibels are logarithmic: every +10 dB means ten times more sound intensity but is heard as only about twice as loud, and every +6 dB doubles the sound pressure. That is why a few decibels can make a big difference.

Is 100 dB dangerous?

Yes, with enough exposure. NIOSH recommends no more than 15 minutes per day at 100 dBA (US law, via OSHA, allows 2.0 hours). Hearing damage from noise is cumulative and permanent, so use earplugs or earmuffs, increase distance or reduce exposure time.

Sounds around 100 dB

100 dBCicada chorus
Some species exceed 100 dB at 50 cm.100 dBConstruction site
Mixed heavy machinery nearby.100 dBGarbage truck
Compactor running, at curbside.100 dBHeadphones at max volume
CDC: personal listening devices at maximum volume reach 94–110 dB.100 dBHelicopter
Flying overhead at about 30 m (100 ft).100 dBNightclub
On the dance floor.100 dBRooster crowing
Over 130 dB has been measured at the rooster's own ear canal.100 dBSnowmobile
Rider's ear at full throttle.

Safe listening time

LevelNIOSH recommended limitOSHA legal limit (US)
94 dBA1.0 hours4.6 hours
97 dBA30 minutes3.0 hours
100 dBA15 minutes2.0 hours
103 dBA7.5 minutes1.3 hours
106 dBA3.8 minutes52 minutes

NIOSH: 85 dBA for 8 hours with a 3 dB exchange rate; OSHA: 90 dBA for 8 hours with a 5 dB exchange rate. General information, not medical advice – see a hearing professional about ringing ears, muffled hearing or pain.

Frequently asked questions

Is 100 dB loud?

100 dB is extremely loud. For comparison: cicada chorus, construction site, garbage truck.

How many times louder is 100 dB than 90 dB?

A 10 dB increase means ten times the sound intensity and is heard as roughly twice as loud.

How long can you listen to 100 dB?

NIOSH recommends a maximum of 15 minutes per day at 100 dBA.