Click Start, allow the microphone and see the approximate noise level in decibels, live.
Tip: press Space to start or stop
Min
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Average
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Max
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Last 60 seconds
Compare with a reference sound level meter (or a phone app you trust) and enter the difference here, for example -5 or +8. It is saved in this browser.
Phone and laptop microphones are not calibrated, so these readings are approximate and best used to compare sounds with each other. This is not a certified sound level meter. Use the calibration offset below if you have a reference meter.
How loud is it? Common sounds
| 20 dB | Rustling leaves, quiet bedroom at night |
|---|---|
| 30 dB | Whisper, quiet countryside |
| 40 dB | Quiet library, refrigerator hum |
| 50 dB | Light rain, quiet office |
| 60 dB | Normal conversation, dishwasher |
| 70 dB | Vacuum cleaner, busy traffic inside a car |
| 80 dB | Alarm clock, busy street |
| 90 dB | Lawn mower, heavy truck, subway train |
| 100 dB | Motorcycle, nightclub, power tools |
| 110 dB | Rock concert, car horn up close |
| 120 dB | Ambulance siren, threshold of pain |
Nothing is uploaded: sound is analysed only in your browser and no audio is recorded or saved.
How to measure noise with the decibel meter
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1
Click Start measuring
Your browser asks for permission to use the microphone. Click Allow; nothing is recorded or uploaded.
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2
Point the microphone at the sound
Hold the phone or sit the laptop where you want to measure and keep your hands off the mic, because touching it adds noise.
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3
Read the gauge
The big number is the current level in dB. Below it you see the min, average and max since you started, plus a 60-second chart.
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4
Calibrate if you can
If you have a reference meter, compare readings and type the difference in the calibration offset box. It is remembered next time.
What a decibel reading means
Decibels (dB) use a logarithmic scale: every +10 dB is about twice as loud to the ear, and +3 dB doubles the sound energy. A whisper is around 30 dB, normal conversation 60 dB, heavy traffic 80 dB and a rock concert 110 dB.
Hearing guidelines say that long exposure to 85 dB or more can damage hearing. The meter turns the label red from that level, and the table at the top of the page lets you compare your reading with everyday sounds.
How accurate is a browser decibel meter?
Honestly: it is approximate. Phone and laptop microphones are not calibrated, and each model has a different sensitivity and frequency response, so the same room can read 10 dB differently on two devices. This tool turns off echo cancellation, noise suppression and automatic gain so the level follows the real sound, but it cannot know your microphone’s sensitivity.
Use it to compare (is it louder here than there? did the fan get quieter?), not as legal proof of a noise level. For official measurements, such as a complaint about a neighbour or workplace exposure, use a certified Class 1 or Class 2 sound level meter.
Tips for better readings
- Keep the same device and position when comparing two situations.
- Do not cover the microphone with your hand or a case, and stay away from it while measuring.
- Wind and breath hitting the mic read as loud noise, so avoid blowing on it and measure outdoors with care.
- Use the average value for steady noise and the max value for sudden peaks.
- Calibrate once against a reference meter to get closer to real numbers.
Decibel meter FAQ
Is this decibel meter accurate?
It is approximate. Phone and laptop microphones are not calibrated, so readings are relative and can differ by several dB between devices. It is good for comparing sounds, not for certified measurements.
Can I calibrate it?
Yes. Compare the reading with a reference sound level meter and enter the difference in the calibration offset box. The offset is saved in your browser.
How loud is 85 dB?
About a busy street or heavy city traffic. Long exposure to 85 dB or more can damage hearing, so use hearing protection in those environments.
Does the site record or upload my audio?
No. Sound is analysed live in your browser to calculate a number, and no audio is recorded, saved or sent anywhere.
Why does it show a different value on another device?
Every microphone has its own sensitivity and frequency response, and some systems apply processing. Use the same device for comparisons or calibrate each device with the offset.
Does it work on phones?
Yes, in Chrome or Safari on Android and iPhone. Tap Start measuring and allow the microphone. Some phones limit how loud a sound the mic can measure, so very loud sounds may read lower than they are.