Listen to an emergency siren
How loud is an emergency siren?
An emergency siren is about 120 dB, with a typical range of 110–129 dB. CDC lists sirens at 110–129 dB.
That is about 64 times as loud to the ear as normal conversation and 1e+06 times the sound energy.
Can it damage your hearing?
Yes, with enough exposure. At 120 dBA, NIOSH recommends a daily limit of 9 seconds; at the top of the range (129 dB) it is 1 seconds. Wear earplugs or earmuffs, keep your distance and limit time near the source.
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 an emergency siren
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 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.
Safe listening time
| Level | NIOSH recommended limit | OSHA legal limit (US) |
|---|---|---|
| 114 dBA | 35 seconds | 17 minutes |
| 117 dBA | 18 seconds | 11 minutes |
| 120 dBA | 9 seconds | 7.5 minutes |
| 123 dBA | 4 seconds | 4.9 minutes |
| 126 dBA | 2 seconds | 3.3 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.
More recordings elsewhere
- Police siren by sofialomba – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Ambulance Siren by LanDub – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- police motorcycle sirene clean .WAV by ikbenraar – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Fire Truck Siren by contramundum – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Police Car Siren in Traffic by hyderpotter – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
Frequently asked questions
How many decibels is an emergency siren?
About 120 dB, with a typical range of 110–129 dB.
Is an emergency siren louder than a jet engine?
No – a jet engine at takeoff is about 140 dB at 30 m, while an emergency siren is about 120 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.
Sources & credits
- CDC – What Noises Cause Hearing Loss?
- Verbální informace - zkouška sirén by HZS ČR – Public domain
- Vietnamese siren Jammer by 22zac – CC BY 4.0
- Zkouška sirén by https://www.hzscr.cz/ – Public domain
- Tornado Siren II-Delilah-747233690 by Delilah – CC BY 3.0