Listen to a cat's purr
How loud is a cat's purr?
A cat's purr is about 25 dB, with a typical range of 20–30 dB. Purrs are low (25–150 Hz) and quiet; most are about 25 dB at a short distance.
That is quieter than normal conversation (60 dB).
Can it damage your hearing?
No – 25 dB is well below the 85 dBA level at which prolonged exposure starts to risk hearing damage.
How sound level changes with distance
Decibel figures always depend on distance. For a small source in open air, every doubling of distance lowers the level by about 6 dB; indoors, reflections reduce that drop. Use the sound-vs-distance calculator to estimate the level where you are.
Sounds as loud as a cat's purr
More recordings elsewhere
- Cat purring by cubilon – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Cat purring .wav by pickleparade – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Cat Purring 3.wav by Stevious42 – CC BY 3.0 (freesound)
- Cat Purring 2.wav by Stevious42 – CC BY 3.0 (freesound)
- Cat Purring by deleted_user_7146007 – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
Frequently asked questions
How many decibels is a cat's purr?
About 25 dB, with a typical range of 20–30 dB.
Is a cat's purr louder than a jet engine?
No – a jet engine at takeoff is about 140 dB at 30 m, while a cat's purr is about 25 dB.
How are these levels measured?
With a sound level meter, usually A-weighted (dBA) to match human hearing. Published figures depend on distance and conditions, so treat them as typical values.