How Loud Is It? Decibel Levels of Everyday Sounds

A gunshot is 140–175 dB at the shooter's ear. Anything above 140 dB can cause permanent hearing loss from a single exposure, which is why hearing protection is required at every range.

A typical concert measures 100–120 dB. At 100 dB, hearing damage can begin after roughly 15 minutes — a full two-hour show without earplugs delivers many times the daily safe noise dose.

A dog bark measures 80–100 dB at one to three metres, and large breeds can peak above 110 dB right next to your ear — louder than a lawn mower and enough to disturb neighbours through a shared wall.

A petrol lawn mower measures roughly 90 dB at the operator's ear. NIOSH guidance allows about two hours of unprotected exposure per day at that level, so hearing protection is sensible for anything longer than a small lawn.

A vacuum cleaner measures 70–80 dB at one metre — roughly the level of a busy restaurant. It is not loud enough to damage hearing during normal use, but it comfortably drowns out conversation and TV.

A modern dishwasher runs at 42–55 dB, about the level of a quiet library to light rainfall. Anything rated under 45 dB is considered genuinely quiet and is barely noticeable in an adjacent room.

A refrigerator runs at 35–50 dB. Modern inverter models sit near 35 dB — quieter than a whisper-level bedroom — while older compressors cycle up to 50 dB, which is loud enough to notice at night.

Air conditioners range from about 19 dB for a modern split-system indoor unit on low fan to 75 dB for a portable unit at full speed. For bedrooms, aim for under 45 dB.

Snoring typically measures 50–90 dB beside the bed. Light snoring sits around 50 dB — similar to light rain — while severe snoring can exceed 90 dB, roughly the level of a petrol lawn mower.

A motorcycle measures 80–105 dB depending on the exhaust and engine speed. Most jurisdictions cap roadside noise around 80–86 dB, and aftermarket exhausts routinely exceed that by 15–20 dB.

Fireworks produce 150–175 dB at the point of detonation and 110–125 dB for spectators standing close to the launch area. Anything above 140 dB can cause instant, permanent hearing damage.

A jet engine produces about 150 dB at the exhaust, 140 dB at 30 m and roughly 120 dB at 100 m. Inside the cabin, cruise noise is a far more moderate 80–85 dB.