How Loud Is a Whisper?
What does 20–30 dB sound like?
A soft whisper at close range measures around 30 dB. This is quieter than a typical bedroom at night and poses zero risk to hearing.
How it compares
The threshold of human hearing is 0 dB. Sounds this quiet are at the low end of what most people can hear without acute focus.
How to protect your hearing
- Whispered conversation is a good baseline for measuring background noise
- If a whisper is inaudible in your room, the ambient level is likely 50 dB or higher
Measure the actual dB level of your environment with our free online decibel meter, or estimate your cumulative daily exposure with the noise exposure calculator.
Learn more
Related sounds
Frequently asked questions
How loud is a Whisper?
A whisper measures 20–30 dB. A soft whisper at close range measures around 30 dB. This is quieter than a typical bedroom at night and poses zero risk to hearing.
What is the safe exposure time for a whisper?
The recommended safe exposure time for a whisper is Unlimited.
How does a whisper compare to other sounds?
The threshold of human hearing is 0 dB. Sounds this quiet are at the low end of what most people can hear without acute focus.
How can I protect my hearing from a whisper?
Whispered conversation is a good baseline for measuring background noise If a whisper is inaudible in your room, the ambient level is likely 50 dB or higher