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Free Decibel Meter

45 Decibels — How Loud Is It?

Moderate

45 dB is about as loud as refrigerator hum. 45 dB sounds like a refrigerator humming in the next room, or a quiet suburban street with light, distant traffic. It sits just above WHO's 40 dB night-time sleep guideline — not loud by any everyday measure, but enough that sensitive sleepers may notice it as background presence rather than true quiet.

What does 45 dB sound like?

  • 45 dB — Refrigerator hum
  • 48 dB — Quiet suburban street
  • 40 dB — Quiet home, no appliances running

Safe exposure time at 45 dB

Under NIOSH's Recommended Exposure Limit (85 dB, 3 dB exchange rate), safe unprotected exposure at 45 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

    What does 46 dB sound like?
    About the hum of a refrigerator, or a quiet conversation carrying from another room — close to WHO's 45 dB threshold, above which it recommends against outdoor night-time noise exposure for sleep protection.
    Is 45 dB safe for a nursery?
    Yes, from a hearing-safety standpoint — 45 dB is far below any occupational risk threshold. For sleep quality specifically, it sits just above the 40 dB level WHO recommends for undisturbed night-time rest.
    Is 45 dB loud?
    No — 45 dB is a moderate background level, comparable to a refrigerator hum. Most people would describe it as quiet-to-moderate rather than loud.

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