Decibel Meter

Measure how loud it is in decibels, right in your browser.

Measures sound with your device's microphone. Nothing is recorded or uploaded.

How to Use It

Tap Start Measuring and allow microphone access.
Hold your phone with the microphone pointing at the sound, away from your body.
Watch the live level. Avg shows the average (Leq) since you started. Reset clears it.

Common Sound Levels

Level	Example
30 dB	Whisper
50 dB	Quiet office
60 dB	Normal conversation
70 dB	Vacuum cleaner
85 dB	Heavy traffic, hearing risk with long exposure
100 dB	Nightclub
110 dB	Rock concert, front row

See the full noise levels chart, or read how accurate a phone decibel meter is.

Safe dB Levels and Listening Times

Below 70 dBA is safe for any length of time. From 85 dBA, long exposure can damage hearing. NIOSH sets 85 dBA for 8 hours as the limit and halves the time for every 3 dB more:

Level	Safe Time per Day
85 dBA	8 hours
88 dBA	4 hours
91 dBA	2 hours
94 dBA	1 hour
97 dBA	30 minutes
100 dBA	15 minutes
110 dBA	About 1.5 minutes

Meters for Specific Places

Classroom noise meter: a full-screen green, amber, and red traffic light for the board.
Concert decibel meter: shows how long you can safely listen at the current level.
Neighbor noise meter: leads with the average level over time, to document a noise problem.
Workplace noise meter: checks noise at work against the 85 dBA guideline.

For a dedicated meter for work or a noise complaint, see our sound level meter guide, or compare sound level meters by spec.

Guides

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Questions

Is this decibel meter accurate?+

Phone and laptop microphones vary, so an uncalibrated reading is usually within 5 to 10 dB. Calibrate once against a hardware sound meter and it is typically within 1 to 2 dB for everyday sounds. Sounds above about 100 dB can overload phone microphones.

Is anything recorded or uploaded?+

No. The sound is analyzed on your device, in your browser. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

What does dBA mean?+

dBA is a sound level with A-weighting, which reduces the lowest and highest frequencies to match how human hearing works. It is the standard for noise and hearing safety.

How loud is too loud?+

Sounds above 85 dBA can damage hearing with long exposure. At 85 dBA the safe limit is about 8 hours a day, and every 3 dB louder halves that time.

Does it work on iPhone and Android?+

Yes. Open this page in Safari, Chrome, or another current browser and tap Start Measuring. There is no app to install. It also works on a laptop or desktop with a microphone.

Is a decibel meter the same as a sound level meter?+

Yes. Decibel meter, sound meter, noise meter, dB meter, and SPL meter all name the same kind of instrument. A certified sound level meter (Class 1 or 2) meets the IEC 61672 standard for accuracy; a phone meter is a good estimate, not a certified reading.

Why does it ask for microphone access?+

It needs the microphone to hear the room. Your browser only allows this after you agree.