A noise level chart showing examples of sounds with dB levels ranging from 0 to 180 decibels.
dBA
Example
Home & Yard Appliances
Workshop & Construction
0
healthy hearing threshold
10
a pin dropping
20
rustling leaves
30
whisper
40
babbling brook
computer
50
light traffic
refrigerator
60
conversational speech
air conditioner
70
shower
dishwasher
75
toilet flushing
vacuum cleaner
80
alarm clock
garbage disposal
85
passing diesel truck
snow blower
90
squeeze toy
lawn mower
arc welder
95
inside subway car
food processor
belt sander
100
motorcycle (riding)
handheld drill
105
sporting event
table saw
110
rock band
jackhammer
115
emergency vehicle siren
riveter
120
thunderclap
oxygen torch
125
balloon popping
130
peak stadium crowd noise
135
air raid siren
140
jet engine at takeoff
145
firecracker
150
fighter jet launch
155
cap gun
160
shotgun
165
.357 magnum revolver
170
safety airbag
175
howitzer cannon
180
rocket launch
...
194
sound waves become shock waves
Most noise levels are given in
dBA,
which are decibels adjusted to reflect the ear's response to different frequencies of sound. Sudden, brief impulse sounds, like many of those shown at 120 dB or greater, are often given in dB (no adjustment).
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