Decibel Chart: Essential Guide to Sound Levels

What Is A Decibel?

This is a number that tells you how loud something is: dB. Since it's a linear scale, every 10 dB increase means ten times stronger sound. This scale helps us understand and measure a wide range of sound levels, from very quiet whispers to very loud bangs.

Overview of the Decibel Chart

One way to find decibels is to use a sound level meter. This tool puts sound pressure into a decibel (dB) number, which lets you keep a close eye on how loud things are in different areas.

0 dB

There is no sound that the human ear can pick up below 0 dB. This is about the quietest amount of sound that can be in a room with no other sounds.

10 dB

At 10 dB, it's very hard to hear. This level sounds like a whisper or leaves rustling. In a quiet room, this is how much noise a clock might make. It's hard to hear these sounds if the background isn't very quiet.

20 dB

When the noise level is 20 dB or less, it's quiet. This could be the noise level in a library or at night. A few examples are the hum of a refrigerator or the sound of birds singing far away.

30 dB

Even 30 dB sounds are pretty quiet, like a whisper or a room with no one else around. This much could be heard as background noise in a very quiet place.

40 dB

It's pretty quiet if the number is 40 dB. It sounds like someone is talking quietly or in a quiet place like a library. The soft sound of a bird singing or a conversation that is turned down are two examples.

50 dB 

Sounds are pretty loud at 50 dB, like in a quiet office or an area with not many cars. Sounds like a light rain or a fridge running are at this level.

60 dB 

A normal conversation or light rain has a sound level of 60 dB. The sound of a vacuum cleaner or a coffee shop that's busy are two familiar ones.

70 dB

The sound is loud when the level hits 70 dB. These are places where there is a lot of noise or traffic. This could be a hair dryer or a restaurant with lots of people.

80 dB

If the level is 80 dB, the sounds are very loud. This level could be heard in a noisy diner or on a busy city street. Like the sound of a lawnmower or an office that's full of people.

90 dB

When the level drops to 90 dB, sounds get very loud. Even if it's only for 30 minutes, long-term contact can start to hurt your hearing. Everyday things like hair dryers and power tools also work at this level, which means they can be dangerous if you don't wear the right ear protection.

100 dB

Sounds that are 100 dB, like those made by motorbikes or jackhammers, are loud enough to damage your hearing over time. 

110 dB

Sounds heard in a nightclub are 110 dB; they can hurt your hearing right away. Without earplugs, even short periods of time spent in such loud environments can cause lasting hearing loss.

120 dB

At 120 dB, the noise is not only loud; it hurts. One example of this is the sound of a plane engine taking off. At this level of volume, noise can hurt your hearing right away and badly.

130 dB

Most people can't stand noise levels above 130 dB. This loud sound, which is like a blast, is very dangerous and can damage your hearing very quickly. Such loud noises can be made by drilling tools and other big industry equipment.

140 dB

140-dB sounds are very dangerous and could damage your hearing right away in a way that can't be fixed. The noise level at this close range is usually caused by gunshots.

Why It’s Important to Know About Decibels

• Keep your ears safe: You can keep your ears healthy if you know how to measure decibels. Over 85 dB of noise can hurt your hearing, so when you're somewhere noisy, you should wear earplugs.
• Noise pollution: Noise pollution can be bad for health because it makes people stressed out and unable to sleep. Decibel levels need to be controlled to stop noise pollution. A better state of life can be reached with good management.
• The sound quality: Controlling decibel levels is a key part of audio engineering for making sure that sound is clear and doesn't get distorted.

Conclusion

You should know how to use the decibel chart to keep noise levels in check and your ears safe. Knowing how different sound levels affect you can help you protect your ears and make smart decisions about how much noise you can handle.