Decibel Chart of Common Sounds
Complete dB reference chart with safe exposure times. Measure real sound levels with our online sound level meter.
| dB Level | Sound | Safe Exposure |
|---|---|---|
| 20–30 dB | Whisper | Unlimited |
| 32–47 dB | Refrigerator | Unlimited |
| 45–60 dB | Dishwasher | Unlimited — well below hearing damage threshold |
| 70–80 dB | Vacuum Cleaner | Several hours per day is generally safe |
| 70–85 dB | Busy Traffic | 8+ hours at 85 dB per day |
| 80–110 dB | Motorcycle | 15 minutes or less at 100+ dB |
| 80–90 dB | Hair Dryer | 2 hours per day at 90 dB |
| 85–95 dB | Lawn Mower | 2 hours max at 90 dB before hearing damage risk |
| 100–120 dB | Rock Concert | Less than 15 minutes at 100 dB, seconds at 115+ |
| 105–120 dB | Chainsaw | Less than 5 minutes without protection |
| 110–120 dB | Thunder | Instantaneous exposure — protection not usually practical |
| 130–150 dB | Jet Engine | Less than 1 second without hearing protection |
How to read the dB chart
The decibel scale is logarithmic. A 10 dB increase means a sound is 10× more intense — so 90 dB is 100× more intense than 70 dB, not just a little louder. Learn more in What is a decibel?
Safe exposure follows the NIOSH 3 dB exchange rate
At 85 dB you can be safely exposed for 8 hours. Every additional 3 dB halves the safe time: 88 dB → 4 hours, 91 dB → 2 hours, 94 dB → 1 hour. Track your daily dose with our noise exposure calculator.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a decibel chart?
A decibel chart lists common sounds and their approximate dB levels, making it easy to compare noise levels and understand safe exposure limits at a glance.
How does the decibel scale work?
The decibel scale is logarithmic, not linear. A 10 dB increase means a sound is 10 times more intense. So 90 dB is 100 times more intense than 70 dB, even though it does not sound 100 times louder.
What does the NIOSH 3 dB exchange rate mean?
The 3 dB exchange rate means that for every 3 dB increase in sound level, the safe exposure time is cut in half. This is why 88 dB is safe for 4 hours, while 91 dB is only safe for 2 hours.
What is the safe exposure time at 90 dB?
At 90 dB, the recommended safe exposure time is about 2 hours per day. Going beyond that increases the risk of permanent hearing damage.