What dB is a gunshot?

An unsuppressed gunshot from a handgun or rifle typically measures 140–170 dB at the shooter's ear, depending on caliber — well above the level that can cause instant, permanent hearing damage from a single exposure, according to CDC data.

Can a human survive 200 decibels?

No, not at close range. 200 dB is far beyond any survivable sound-pressure level for a person nearby — pressures that extreme cause fatal lung and organ trauma before hearing damage is even the primary concern. They occur only near explosions or rocket launches.

How many dB can a human yell?

A loud human shout typically reaches about 90–100 dB measured at 1 meter, comparable to a power drill or a passing motorcycle — loud enough to contribute to hearing damage with prolonged, repeated, unprotected exposure per NIOSH exposure guidelines.

How many dB is a whisper?

A whisper measures about 30 dB at 1 meter, roughly the level of rustling leaves — one of the quietest sounds people commonly produce, and well below any level associated with hearing risk.

What dB is too loud for neighbors?

Most residential noise ordinances set daytime limits around 55–65 dB(A) and night-time limits around 45–55 dB(A) at the property line, though exact numbers vary by city and country. Check your local regulation for the enforceable limit in your area.

Decibel Chart

This decibel chart lists typical sound levels for more than 50 everyday sounds, from a whisper at 30 dB to a jet engine at 130 dB, alongside how long NIOSH and OSHA consider each level safe to be around without hearing protection.

Figures are typical, representative dB(A) measurements drawn from published CDC/NIOSH and OSHA noise-exposure references — real readings vary with distance, room acoustics and the specific device or source. For a live reading of your own surroundings, use the decibel meter on the home page.

Key facts

The decibel scale is logarithmic: every 10 dB increase sounds roughly twice as loud, and every 3 dB increase doubles the actual sound energy.
NIOSH's Recommended Exposure Limit is 85 dB(A) averaged over 8 hours; OSHA's legal limit is 90 dB(A) over 8 hours.
Sounds above 120–130 dB approach the threshold of pain and can cause immediate hearing damage from a single exposure.
WHO recommends outdoor night-time noise stay at or below 40 dB to protect sleep.

Sound level table

Sound	dB(A)	Zone
Threshold of human hearing	0	Quiet
Calm breathing, 1 m away	10	Quiet
Rustling leaves	20	Quiet
Ticking wristwatch, at the ear	22	Quiet
Empty recording studio	25	Quiet
Whisper, 1 m away	30	Quiet
Quiet library	35	Quiet
Quiet bedroom at night	38	Quiet
Quiet home, no appliances running	40	Moderate
Birdsong nearby	42	Moderate
Refrigerator hum	45	Moderate
Quiet suburban street	48	Moderate
Moderate rainfall	50	Moderate
Quiet open-plan office	50	Moderate
Electric toothbrush	55	Moderate
Dishwasher, next room	55	Moderate
Normal conversation, 1 m away	60	Moderate
Window air conditioner	62	Moderate
Laughing out loud	65	Moderate
Electric shaver	67	Moderate
Washing machine	70	Loud
Television at a comfortable volume	70	Loud
Busy road traffic, from the sidewalk	72	Loud
Flushing toilet	75	Loud
Alarm clock, bedside	75	Loud
Vacuum cleaner	78	Loud
Garbage disposal	80	Loud
City traffic, heard inside a car	80	Loud
Hair dryer	82	Loud
Kitchen blender	84	Loud
Heavy city traffic, curbside	85	Very loud
Gas-powered lawn mower	87	Very loud
Motorcycle passing, 8 m away	88	Very loud
Handheld power drill	90	Very loud
Leaf blower, 3 m away	92	Very loud
Subway train, inside the car	95	Very loud
Diesel truck accelerating nearby	97	Very loud
Snowmobile	99	Very loud
Chainsaw	100	Dangerous
Jackhammer, 15 m away	100	Dangerous
Sports arena crowd noise	100	Dangerous
Nightclub dance floor	103	Dangerous
Table saw	105	Dangerous
Car horn, 1 m away	110	Dangerous
Rock concert, front rows	110	Dangerous
Emergency vehicle siren, close by	115	Dangerous
Thunderclap overhead	120	Dangerous
Jet aircraft taking off, 300 m away	120	Dangerous
Balloon popping	125	Dangerous
Jet engine at takeoff, 30 m away	130	Dangerous
Threshold of pain	130	Dangerous
Firecracker	140	Dangerous
Small firearm, unsuppressed, at the ear	140	Dangerous
Rock concert, peak level near the stage	150	Dangerous
Firework shell, close range	155	Dangerous
Rocket launch, close range	180	Dangerous

Exposure time and the noise dose calculator

Hearing damage from noise depends on both how loud a sound is and how long you're exposed to it. NIOSH and OSHA each define a maximum safe exposure time for an 8-hour day at a given level, then shorten that allowed time as the level rises, using an "exchange rate": NIOSH halves the safe time every 3 dB above 85 dB; OSHA halves it every 5 dB above 90 dB, which is why the two models diverge more at higher levels.

Enter a level and how long you expect to be exposed to it below, and the calculator will show your dose as a percentage of the daily limit, your 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), and how much longer you could safely stay at that level under each standard.

Noise dose calculator

Level (dB)	Hours exposed	Remove

Dose: 0%
8-hour TWA: --
Safe time at this level: --

Every level, explained

Frequently asked questions

What dB is a gunshot?: An unsuppressed gunshot from a handgun or rifle typically measures 140–170 dB at the shooter's ear, depending on caliber — well above the level that can cause instant, permanent hearing damage from a single exposure, according to CDC data.
Can a human survive 200 decibels?: No, not at close range. 200 dB is far beyond any survivable sound-pressure level for a person nearby — pressures that extreme cause fatal lung and organ trauma before hearing damage is even the primary concern. They occur only near explosions or rocket launches.
How many dB can a human yell?: A loud human shout typically reaches about 90–100 dB measured at 1 meter, comparable to a power drill or a passing motorcycle — loud enough to contribute to hearing damage with prolonged, repeated, unprotected exposure per NIOSH exposure guidelines.
How many dB is a whisper?: A whisper measures about 30 dB at 1 meter, roughly the level of rustling leaves — one of the quietest sounds people commonly produce, and well below any level associated with hearing risk.
What dB is too loud for neighbors?: Most residential noise ordinances set daytime limits around 55–65 dB(A) and night-time limits around 45–55 dB(A) at the property line, though exact numbers vary by city and country. Check your local regulation for the enforceable limit in your area.