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Extremely loud · Sound level

How loud is 117 dB?

117 dB is extremely loud – sounds about 52.0 times as loud as normal conversation.

117 dB
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Listen: sounds near 117 dB

Newborn baby crying sounds 20190831 061900
0:54CC BY-SA 4.0by Manoj KaringamadathilWikimedia Commons
0:54
Mari Bagpipe - Erik Juzykain
1:22CC BY-SA 3.0by Cseremisz ElianWikimedia Commons
1:22
14.16 PaSound pressure
0.5012 W/m²Intensity
×51.98Perceived vs. 60 dB talk
18 secondsNIOSH daily limit

How loud is 117 dB?

117 decibels is extremely loud. 117 dB sounds about 52.0 times as loud as normal conversation (60 dB), and it carries 5.01e+05 times the sound energy. Typical sounds around this level: baby crying, bagpipes, car alarm.

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 117 dB dangerous?

Yes, with enough exposure. NIOSH recommends no more than 18 seconds per day at 117 dBA (US law, via OSHA, allows 11 minutes). Hearing damage from noise is cumulative and permanent, so use earplugs or earmuffs, increase distance or reduce exposure time.

Sounds around 117 dB

110 dBBaby crying
Very close to the ear; levels drop quickly with distance.110 dBBagpipes
Highland pipes at the player's ear.110 dBCar alarm
Measured close to the vehicle.114 dBLion roar
Commonly cited maximum, at about 1 m. Roars carry up to 8 km.116 dBScreaming piha
One of the loudest birds measured, at 1 m.120 dBEmergency siren
CDC lists sirens at 110–129 dB.120 dBThunder (close)
A strike within a few hundred metres.120 dBVuvuzela
At 1 m from the horn.

Safe listening time

LevelNIOSH recommended limitOSHA legal limit (US)
111 dBA1.2 minutes26 minutes
114 dBA35 seconds17 minutes
117 dBA18 seconds11 minutes
120 dBA9 seconds7.5 minutes
123 dBA4 seconds4.9 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 117 dB loud?

117 dB is extremely loud. For comparison: baby crying, bagpipes, car alarm.

How many times louder is 117 dB than 107 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 117 dB?

NIOSH recommends a maximum of 18 seconds per day at 117 dBA.