Generators & Utilities

Decibel Meter (Noise Level)

Press Start and allow the microphone to see the noise level around you in decibels. Handy for checking noisy neighbours, your workplace, your bedroom at night or how loud your music really is.

Free No Sign-up Runs on Your Device
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dB(A)

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Min
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Average (Leq)
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Peak
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Duration
0:00

Safe exposure time: -

Calculated from the average (Leq) using 85 dB(A) for 8 hours, halved for every 3 dB increase (NIOSH).

🎚️ Calibration
Offset 0 dB
dB

Place the phone next to a sound level meter or calibrated app, measure a steady sound, then enter the reference reading and press Match.

Readings are estimates. Phone and laptop microphones are not calibrated like a certified sound level meter (class 1 or 2), so the numbers can be off by a few decibels. For official measurements, such as complaints or workplace safety, use a calibrated meter. Audio is not recorded or sent to a server.

How to Measure Noise with Your Phone

Press Start Measuring, allow the microphone and place the phone where you want to measure, with the microphone facing the sound. The big number shows the current noise level, while Average (Leq) and Peak sum up the whole measurement. The chart keeps the last 60 seconds so you can see when the noise peaks.

dB(A)
Like the human ear
A-weighting, the unit used by noise regulations.
Leq
Energy average
The standard figure for comparing with noise limits.
60 s
Live chart
See when the noise rises and falls.
0
Recordings
Audio is never stored or sent anywhere.

WHO Guideline Values for Community Noise

The World Health Organization's Guidelines for Community Noise suggest these average levels (LAeq). Compare them with the Average (Leq) of your measurement:

EnvironmentdB(A)
Bedroom at night (sleep)30
Living room during the day35
School classroom35
Hospital ward30
Outdoor living area, moderate annoyance50
Outdoor living area, serious annoyance55
Industrial, shopping and traffic areas70

Safe Exposure Time at Work

NIOSH recommends these daily exposure limits. The louder the sound, the shorter the safe time each day:

Noise levelExposure per day
85 dB(A)8 hours
88 dB(A)4 hours
91 dB(A)2 hours
94 dB(A)1 hour
97 dB(A)30 minutes
100 dB(A)15 minutes
103 dB(A)7.5 minutes

Tips for More Reliable Results

Frequently Asked Questions

It is good for estimates and comparisons, but it is not an official measurement. Phone microphones are designed for speech, so readings can differ by 3 to 10 dB from a certified sound level meter, especially for very quiet or very loud sounds. If you have a calibrated meter or app, match the readings in the Calibration menu.
dB(A) is the decibel level with A-weighting, an adjustment that mimics how sensitive human hearing is. Our ears are less sensitive to very low and very high pitches, so those sounds count for less. Almost every noise regulation uses dB(A). The dB(Z) mode shows the unweighted level.
NIOSH recommends a limit of 85 dB(A) averaged over an 8-hour day. For every 3 dB increase, the safe time is halved: 88 dB(A) for 4 hours, 91 dB(A) for 2 hours and only 15 minutes at 100 dB(A). For homes, the WHO suggests keeping daytime outdoor noise below 55 dB and bedrooms below 30 dB at night.
The big number is the current level with a fast response (about 0.125 seconds). The average is Leq, the energy-average level over the whole measurement, which is what noise rules use. The peak is the highest level recorded, for example a car horn or a slammed door.
Measure inside the room where the noise bothers you, with windows and doors as they normally are. Put the phone on a flat surface instead of holding it, away from fans or air conditioning. Measure for at least 5 to 10 minutes while the noise is happening and note the average (Leq) and the peak. Repeat at different times to build a solid record.
The microphone and electronics in a phone have their own noise, so in a very quiet room the reading stops at a floor. Very loud sounds (above roughly 100 dB) can overload the microphone. The most reliable range is about 40 to 95 dB.
Open Calibration. If you have a sound level meter or a calibrated app, place both side by side near a steady sound, type the reading from that meter and press Match. You can also move the offset by hand. The calibration is saved in this browser for this device.
No. This page only calculates the energy level of the microphone signal in your browser. Nothing is recorded, stored or sent to a server. The microphone turns off when you press Stop or close the tab.
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