Compare everyday sounds and their noise levels
See how loud everyday sounds really are. Reference chart with common noise levels from whispers to jet engines. Compare household appliances, traffic, and workplace noise in decibels.
0-30 dB
Very quiet, barely audibleWhisperQuiet libraryRustling leaves
30-50 dB
Quiet, comfortable for most activitiesQuiet conversationRefrigerator humQuiet office
50-70 dB
Moderate, typical indoor environmentNormal conversationDishwasherModerate rainfall
70-85 dB
Loud, may cause annoyanceVacuum cleanerBusy trafficAlarm clock
85-100 dB
Very loud, hearing protection recommendedLawnmowerMotorcyclePower tools
100-120 dB
Extremely loud, hearing damage possibleRock concertChainsawThunder
120+ dB
Painful, immediate hearing damage riskJet engineGunshotFireworks
Common Noise Levels
đ Household Appliances
Refrigerator40 dB
Washing Machine70 dB
Vacuum Cleaner75 dB
Hair Dryer85 dB
Blender90 dB
đTraffic & Outdoor
Electric Car (at low speed)60 dB
City Traffic (inside car)85 dB
Motorcycle95 dB
Car Horn110 dB
Siren120 dB
How the Decibel Scale Works
The decibel (dB) scale is logarithmic. Each 10 dB increase means the sound is 10 times more intense. So 80 dB is 10 times louder than 70 dB.
Safe Exposure Times
Sounds above 85 dB can damage your hearing with prolonged exposure. Safe listening time cuts in half for every 3 dB increase above 85 dB.
85 dB8 hours
88 dB4 hours
91 dB2 hours
94 dB1 hour
100 dB15 minutes