✅ Status: Ready to measure
Pro Tip: For accurate environmental analysis, measure for at least 30-60 seconds to smooth out sudden noises.
Note: Estimated readings. Quiet room ≈ 30-40 dB, conversation ≈ 60 dB, traffic ≈ 80 dB.
Frequency
History (30s)
Sound Level Guide
Note: Decibel scale is logarithmic - each 10 dB increase means ~10x intensity increase.
How to Use
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1Allow Microphone AccessClick "Start Measuring" and grant permission to your microphone.
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2Monitor Noise LevelsView real-time dB readings. Recommendation: Keep measuring for ~1 min to filter out transient anomalies.
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3Stop & Generate ReportClick "Stop Measuring" to finish, then "Save Report" to download a detailed PDF summary.
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4Take ActionUse the data to identify harmful noise sources and protect your hearing.
Safe Exposure Time by Decibel Level
According to NIOSH/CDC, the higher the noise level, the shorter the safe exposure time.
Safe for all day exposure
NIOSH recommended 8-hour exposure limit
Lawn mower, motorcycle noise level
Hair dryer, power tools
Rock concert, siren
Firecrackers, jet engine - avoid exposure
⚠️ Important: For every 3 dB increase above 85 dB, safe exposure time is cut in half. Learn more at NIDCD.
Understanding Decibels and Sound Measurement
A sound meter (decibel meter) measures sound pressure level (SPL) in decibels (dB). Our online tool uses your device's microphone to detect environmental noise and provide real-time measurements.
Why decibels matter: The decibel scale is logarithmic - each 10 dB increase represents approximately 10 times more sound intensity and feels about twice as loud. This means 80 dB is not just slightly louder than 70 dB; it's significantly more intense.
🏥 WHO Recommendation: The World Health Organization recommends keeping noise levels below 70 dB for extended periods to prevent hearing loss. Sounds above 85 dB can cause hearing damage with prolonged exposure.
How noise damages hearing: According to health authorities, loud sounds damage the delicate hair cells in your inner ear. These cells don't regenerate, so damage is permanent. High-intensity or long-duration noise causes:
- Mechanical damage to inner ear hair cells
- Over-stimulation of auditory nerves
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
- Tinnitus (ringing in ears) and sensitivity issues
Privacy & Data Security
Your privacy is our priority. All audio processing happens locally within your browser. No audio data is ever recorded, stored, or uploaded to our servers. The "Save Report" feature generates the PDF file directly on your device using the summary statistics (min, max, avg) from your current session.
Health Impact of Noise Pollution
Beyond hearing loss, chronic noise exposure affects overall health. Source: WHO Europe
Hearing Loss (NIHL)
Exposure to sounds ≥85 dB for 8+ hours can cause permanent hearing damage.
CDC/NIOSH Guidelines →Stress & Anxiety
Chronic noise raises stress hormones and increases anxiety disorders risk.
WHO Research →Sleep Disruption
Nighttime noise above 40 dB can disturb sleep quality and duration significantly.
Sleep Guidelines →Cardiovascular Risk
Long-term high noise exposure may increase heart disease and hypertension risk.
WHO Studies →Cognitive Impact
Noise pollution can impair concentration, memory, and learning abilities.
HHF Resources →Child Development
Children are more vulnerable to noise-related learning and behavioral issues.
WHO Findings →🛡️ Protection Tips (from NIOSH/CDC):
- Keep daily noise exposure below 70 dB when possible
- Wear ear protection (earplugs/earmuffs) in ≥85 dB environments
- Limit high-intensity noise exposure time
- Use noise monitoring tools to track and manage sound levels
- Give your ears rest periods after loud noise exposure
Practical Uses for Your Online Sound Meter
This free online sound meter turns your browser into a functional noise measurement tool. While it's not a replacement for a calibrated professional Class 1 decibel meter, it serves as an excellent reference for daily life situations where understanding noise levels can improve your health and productivity.
🏠 Home & Living
- Appliance Testing: Check if your new dishwasher or vacuum cleaner is as quiet as advertised.
- Neighbor Noise: Objectively measure how loud your neighbor's renovation or music actually is from your living room.
- Sleep Environment: Ensure your bedroom stays below the recommended 30-40 dB for optimal sleep quality.
💼 Work & Study
- Office Distractions: Identify peak noise times in your open-plan office to schedule focused work better.
- Study Zones: Find the quietest corner in a library or cafe. Ideal study noise is often around 40-50 dB.
- Remote Work: Test your background noise level before joining an important video conference call.
- Documentation: Use the "Save Report" feature to create a PDF record of noise levels for workplace compliance or dispute resolution.
🎧 Audio & Entertainment
- Safe Listening: Calibrate your speaker system volume to stay within a safe 70-80 dB range for movies.
- Event Monitoring: Check if the concert or club you're attending exceeds dangerous 100 dB levels.
- Gaming Setup: Measure computer fan noise under load to optimize your silent PC build.
🩺 Health & Wellness
- Tinnitus Management: Help identify environments that might trigger ringing in the ears.
- Baby Safety: Ensure the nursery environment is soothingly quiet and white noise machines aren't too loud.
- Stress Reduction: Correlate your stress levels with environmental noise to better manage your sensory input.
How It Works: Browser-Based Audio Analysis
Unlike traditional sound level meters that use specialized hardware sensors, this tool leverages the Web Audio API standard built into modern web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox). Here is a simplified breakdown of the process:
- Signal Capture: The browser requests access to your device's microphone (input stream).
- Digital Sampling: The raw analog sound waves are converted into digital data packets (samples) thousands of times per second.
- Frequency Analysis: We use an algorithm called Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to analyze the intensity of different sound frequencies.
- RMS Calculation: The Root Mean Square (RMS) amplitude is calculated to determine the average power of the audio signal.
- Decibel Mapping: This raw digital value is mapped to a decibel (dB) scale using a calibration algorithm designed to approximate standard room acoustics.
Note on Calibration: Because every microphone (smartphone, laptop, webcam) has different sensitivity hardware, a web-based meter can never be 100% accurate without external hardware calibration. We use a "best-fit" curve that aligns with common consumer device microphones to provide the most useful relative measurements possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sound meter accurate?
While this online sound meter provides good estimations, it may not match professional-grade devices. Accuracy depends on your device's microphone quality and calibration. For precise measurements, consider professional equipment from certified providers.
Compare decibel levels →Why do I need to allow microphone access?
The sound meter requires microphone access to measure ambient noise levels. Your audio is processed locally in your browser and never recorded, stored, or transmitted to any server. Your privacy is protected.
What is a safe noise level?
According to NIOSH/CDC, noise levels below 70 dB are generally safe for prolonged exposure. The occupational exposure limit is 85 dB for 8 hours. Levels above 85 dB can cause hearing damage with extended exposure, and anything above 120 dB can cause immediate harm.
NIOSH Guidelines →Can I use this on mobile devices?
Yes! This sound meter works on both desktop and mobile devices (iOS Safari, Chrome Mobile, etc.). Simply allow microphone access when prompted to start measuring. Note that microphone quality varies between devices.
How does noise damage hearing?
Loud sounds damage the tiny hair cells in your inner ear's cochlea. These cells convert sound vibrations into electrical signals for your brain. Once damaged, they don't regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss. High intensity or prolonged exposure accelerates this damage. If you are concerned about your hearing health, consider taking our free online hearing test.
Learn more at NIDCD →What's the "3 dB exchange rate"?
The NIOSH 3 dB exchange rate means that for every 3 dB increase in noise level, safe exposure time is cut in half. For example: 85 dB = 8 hours, 88 dB = 4 hours, 91 dB = 2 hours, and so on. This exponential relationship shows why small dB increases matter significantly.
📚 Authoritative Sources & References
All information on this page is based on guidelines and research from internationally recognized health and safety organizations:
🏛️ NIOSH/CDC
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention
🌍 World Health Organization (WHO)
Safe Listening Guidelines and Hearing Loss Prevention
🔬 NIDCD (NIH)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
👂 Hearing Health Foundation
Decibel Exposure Chart and Safe Listening Education
🇪🇺 WHO Europe
Environmental Noise and Health Effects Research
📰 Forbes Health
Decibel Levels and Hearing Health Guide
Last updated: January 2026. We continuously review our content against the latest scientific guidelines to ensure accuracy.
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