From quietest to loudest
0 dBThreshold of hearing
The quietest sound a young, healthy ear can detect at 1 kHz (20 µPa).10 dBNormal breathing
Measured close to the face in a very quiet room.20 dBRustling leaves
A gentle breeze moving through foliage.20 dBTicking watch
Held about arm's length away.25 dBCat purring
Purrs are low (25–150 Hz) and quiet; most are about 25 dB at a short distance.30 dBWhisper
A soft whisper at about 1.5 m (5 ft).40 dBQuiet library
Background level of a quiet reading room.40 dBRefrigerator hum
Modern fridges are often rated 32–40 dB.50 dBModerate rainfall
Steady rain heard from outdoors under a roof.50 dBQuiet office
Typical open office with low conversation.50 dBTyping on a keyboard
Mechanical keyboards are louder than laptop keyboards.60 dBAir conditioner
Window unit or indoor split unit at a few metres.60 dBDishwasher
Quiet models are rated 40–45 dB; older ones exceed 60 dB.60 dBNormal conversation
Two people talking at about 1 m.60 dBOcean waves on the shore
Standing on the beach; storm surf is much louder.70 dBSnoring
Loud snoring measured near the sleeper can approach 90 dB.70 dBWashing machine
Louder during the spin cycle.75 dBBusy restaurant
Hard surfaces and many voices push levels up.75 dBToilet flush
Pressure-assisted toilets are the loudest.75 dBVacuum cleaner
At the operator's position.80 dBAirplane cabin
Cruising flight; seats near the engines are louder.80 dBAlarm clock
Measured at the pillow.80 dBGarbage disposal
Kitchen sink food waste disposer.85 dBGas lawn mower
CDC lists gas mowers and leaf blowers at 80–85 dB; operator-ear levels can be higher.85 dBHair dryer
Very close to the ear while in use.85 dBHeavy city traffic
Standing at the curb of a busy street.85 dBMovie theater
CDC gives 74–104 dB depending on the film and seat.85 dBSmoke alarm
Alarms must reach at least 85 dB at 3 m (10 ft).88 dBBlender
High-power blenders crushing ice are the loudest.90 dBDiesel truck
At about 15 m.90 dBDog barking
Large breeds barking at close range can exceed 100 dB.90 dBJet hand dryer
A 2019 study measured up to 110 dB at a child's ear height.90 dBLarge waterfall
Standing near the plunge pool of a big fall.90 dBLeaf blower
Backpack gas blowers are the loudest; battery models are quieter.90 dBPassing freight train
At about 15 m from the track.90 dBPiano (played loudly)
Fortissimo chords near the instrument.90 dBViolin (at the player's ear)
Violinists' left ears receive more sound than the audience.95 dBCoquí frog
Puerto Rican coquís call at 90–100 dB at 0.5 m.95 dBMotorcycle
CDC lists motorcycles and dirt bikes at 80–110 dB.95 dBPower drill
At the operator's position.95 dBSubway train
On the platform as a train arrives.99 dBWater boatman (Micronecta scholtzi)
A 2 mm insect that 'sings' by rubbing its penis on its abdomen – loudest relative to body size.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.100 dBSporting event crowd
Inside a packed stadium or arena.100 dBTrumpet
Played fortissimo, measured near the bell.105 dBCircular saw
At the operator's position.105 dBSymphony orchestra (peak)
Musicians inside the orchestra are exposed more than the audience.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.110 dBCar horn
At about 1 m in front of the car.110 dBChainsaw
NIOSH lists a chainsaw at about 110 dB.110 dBDrum kit
At the drummer's position; cymbal crashes peak higher.110 dBJackhammer
At the operator's position.110 dBMRI scanner
Patients are given hearing protection for this reason.110 dBRock concert
CDC: concerts 94–110 dB; front rows near speakers can be louder.110 dBTrain horn
US rules require 96–110 dB(A) at 30 m (100 ft) in front of the locomotive.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.125 dBWhite bellbird
The loudest bird song ever measured: 125.4 dB at 1 m.130 dBThreshold of pain
Sound starts to hurt; damage can be instant.140 dB.22 caliber rifle
Peak level at the shooter's ear.140 dBJet engine at takeoff
At about 30 m (100 ft).142 dBLoudest stadium crowd
142.2 dB at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, 2014.145 dBFirecracker
Peak level at about 1 m.150 dBFireworks
CDC: fireworks show at 140–160 dB close by.160 dB9 mm handgun
Peak impulse level at the shooter's ear.165 dB12-gauge shotgun
NIOSH lists a 12-gauge shotgun at 165 dB.172 dBKrakatoa eruption (1883)
Estimated from pressure gauge records 160 km away; heard 4,800 km away.
The quietest sound a young, healthy ear can detect at 1 kHz (20 µPa).10 dBNormal breathing
Measured close to the face in a very quiet room.20 dBRustling leaves
A gentle breeze moving through foliage.20 dBTicking watch
Held about arm's length away.25 dBCat purring
Purrs are low (25–150 Hz) and quiet; most are about 25 dB at a short distance.30 dBWhisper
A soft whisper at about 1.5 m (5 ft).40 dBQuiet library
Background level of a quiet reading room.40 dBRefrigerator hum
Modern fridges are often rated 32–40 dB.50 dBModerate rainfall
Steady rain heard from outdoors under a roof.50 dBQuiet office
Typical open office with low conversation.50 dBTyping on a keyboard
Mechanical keyboards are louder than laptop keyboards.60 dBAir conditioner
Window unit or indoor split unit at a few metres.60 dBDishwasher
Quiet models are rated 40–45 dB; older ones exceed 60 dB.60 dBNormal conversation
Two people talking at about 1 m.60 dBOcean waves on the shore
Standing on the beach; storm surf is much louder.70 dBSnoring
Loud snoring measured near the sleeper can approach 90 dB.70 dBWashing machine
Louder during the spin cycle.75 dBBusy restaurant
Hard surfaces and many voices push levels up.75 dBToilet flush
Pressure-assisted toilets are the loudest.75 dBVacuum cleaner
At the operator's position.80 dBAirplane cabin
Cruising flight; seats near the engines are louder.80 dBAlarm clock
Measured at the pillow.80 dBGarbage disposal
Kitchen sink food waste disposer.85 dBGas lawn mower
CDC lists gas mowers and leaf blowers at 80–85 dB; operator-ear levels can be higher.85 dBHair dryer
Very close to the ear while in use.85 dBHeavy city traffic
Standing at the curb of a busy street.85 dBMovie theater
CDC gives 74–104 dB depending on the film and seat.85 dBSmoke alarm
Alarms must reach at least 85 dB at 3 m (10 ft).88 dBBlender
High-power blenders crushing ice are the loudest.90 dBDiesel truck
At about 15 m.90 dBDog barking
Large breeds barking at close range can exceed 100 dB.90 dBJet hand dryer
A 2019 study measured up to 110 dB at a child's ear height.90 dBLarge waterfall
Standing near the plunge pool of a big fall.90 dBLeaf blower
Backpack gas blowers are the loudest; battery models are quieter.90 dBPassing freight train
At about 15 m from the track.90 dBPiano (played loudly)
Fortissimo chords near the instrument.90 dBViolin (at the player's ear)
Violinists' left ears receive more sound than the audience.95 dBCoquí frog
Puerto Rican coquís call at 90–100 dB at 0.5 m.95 dBMotorcycle
CDC lists motorcycles and dirt bikes at 80–110 dB.95 dBPower drill
At the operator's position.95 dBSubway train
On the platform as a train arrives.99 dBWater boatman (Micronecta scholtzi)
A 2 mm insect that 'sings' by rubbing its penis on its abdomen – loudest relative to body size.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.100 dBSporting event crowd
Inside a packed stadium or arena.100 dBTrumpet
Played fortissimo, measured near the bell.105 dBCircular saw
At the operator's position.105 dBSymphony orchestra (peak)
Musicians inside the orchestra are exposed more than the audience.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.110 dBCar horn
At about 1 m in front of the car.110 dBChainsaw
NIOSH lists a chainsaw at about 110 dB.110 dBDrum kit
At the drummer's position; cymbal crashes peak higher.110 dBJackhammer
At the operator's position.110 dBMRI scanner
Patients are given hearing protection for this reason.110 dBRock concert
CDC: concerts 94–110 dB; front rows near speakers can be louder.110 dBTrain horn
US rules require 96–110 dB(A) at 30 m (100 ft) in front of the locomotive.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.125 dBWhite bellbird
The loudest bird song ever measured: 125.4 dB at 1 m.130 dBThreshold of pain
Sound starts to hurt; damage can be instant.140 dB.22 caliber rifle
Peak level at the shooter's ear.140 dBJet engine at takeoff
At about 30 m (100 ft).142 dBLoudest stadium crowd
142.2 dB at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, 2014.145 dBFirecracker
Peak level at about 1 m.150 dBFireworks
CDC: fireworks show at 140–160 dB close by.160 dB9 mm handgun
Peak impulse level at the shooter's ear.165 dB12-gauge shotgun
NIOSH lists a 12-gauge shotgun at 165 dB.172 dBKrakatoa eruption (1883)
Estimated from pressure gauge records 160 km away; heard 4,800 km away.
Underwater sounds (not comparable with air)
Frequently asked questions
What is a safe decibel level?
Sounds below 70 dBA are considered safe for long exposure. NIOSH recommends limiting 85 dBA to 8 hours a day, halving the time for every 3 dB more.
Why do sources give different decibel values?
Levels depend on distance, the specific device or animal, and how the measurement is weighted and averaged. Figures here are typical values with ranges.
Sources & credits
- CDC – What Noises Cause Hearing Loss?
- NIOSH – Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention
- NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure (1998)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 Occupational noise exposure
- ASHA – Loud Noise Dangers
- WHO – Deafness and hearing loss / Safe listening
- 49 CFR 229.129 – Locomotive horn (96–110 dB(A) at 100 ft)
- UL 217 / NFPA 72 – smoke alarm audibility (85 dB at 10 ft)
- Podos & Cohn-Haft (2019), Current Biology – white bellbird song 125 dB
- Sueur et al. (2011), PLoS ONE – Micronecta scholtzi
- Guinness World Records – loudest crowd roar at a sports stadium (142.2 dB, 2014)
- Royal Society (1888) Report of the Krakatoa Committee
- Typical values compiled from CDC, NIOSH and ASHA noise charts