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Free Decibel Meter

20 Decibels — How Loud Is It?

Quiet

20 dB is about as loud as rustling leaves. 20 dB is close to the threshold of human hearing — quiet enough that a wristwatch ticking at your ear or leaves rustling outside become distinctly audible. Purpose-built quiet spaces like recording studios and audiometric test booths are engineered to reach this level or lower, since almost any louder background noise would interfere with what they're designed for.

What does 20 dB sound like?

  • 20 dB — Rustling leaves
  • 22 dB — Ticking wristwatch, at the ear
  • 25 dB — Empty recording studio

Safe exposure time at 20 dB

Under NIOSH's Recommended Exposure Limit (85 dB, 3 dB exchange rate), safe unprotected exposure at 20 dB is effectively unlimited. Under OSHA's legal Permissible Exposure Limit (90 dB, 5 dB exchange rate), it is effectively unlimited.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Is 20 dB very quiet?
    Yes — 20 dB is close to the threshold of human hearing and about as quiet as rustling leaves. Most people experience anything under 30 dB as effectively silent indoors, with no meaningful background hum to notice.
    What produces a sound this quiet?
    Recording studios, sound-treated rooms and the countryside at night commonly measure around 20 dB — quiet enough that a wristwatch ticking at the ear becomes noticeable.
    Is 20 dB harmful?
    No — 20 dB carries no hearing-risk whatsoever. Occupational damage risk under NIOSH guidelines only begins around 85 dB sustained over an 8-hour day.

    Sources