DeskTray

Decibel Meter

Check how loud a room, road, party or machine is. The meter shows the live sound level in dB(A), the average and peak, and how long that level is safe to listen to.

Runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded Free, no sign-up Works on mobile
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dB(A)
Press Start and allow the microphone
Minimum
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Average (Leq)
0 dB(A)
Maximum
–
Safe exposure at average
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Weighting
dB(A) matches how loud sounds seem to people. Used for noise rules.
Calibration: 0 dBCompare with a real sound level meter, then adjust until both match.
How loud is that? Common sound levels
  • 20 dB: Rustling leaves
  • 30 dB: Whisper, quiet bedroom
  • 40 dB: Library, quiet office
  • 50 dB: Light traffic far away, fridge hum
  • 60 dB: Normal conversation
  • 70 dB: Busy street, vacuum cleaner
  • 80 dB: Heavy traffic, alarm clock
  • 90 dB: Truck, lawn mower, shouting
  • 100 dB: Motorcycle, loud headphones
  • 110 dB: Concert, car horn up close
  • 120 dB: Siren, thunder, pain threshold

Readings are estimates. Phone and laptop microphones aren’t calibrated measuring instruments and usually can’t measure above about 100–110 dB. Long exposure above 85 dB(A) can damage hearing.

How to use Decibel Meter

  1. Press Start measuring and allow the microphone.
  2. Hold the device still, pointing towards the sound.
  3. Read the live level, average (Leq) and maximum. Press Reset to start a new measurement.

Features

  • Live dB(A) or flat dB reading
  • Minimum, average (Leq) and maximum
  • Safe listening time
  • 30-second level graph
  • Calibration

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is an online decibel meter?

Expect an estimate within a few decibels after calibration. Phone microphones vary and aren’t certified instruments; use a calibrated sound level meter for legal or workplace measurements.

What is dB(A)?

A-weighted decibels adjust the reading to match how sensitive human ears are to different pitches. Noise limits, such as those in India’s Noise Pollution Rules, are given in dB(A).

What noise level is harmful?

Long exposure above 85 dB(A) can damage hearing. At 85 dB the safe limit is about 8 hours a day, and it halves for every 3 dB louder, so 100 dB is safe for only about 15 minutes.

What are the noise limits in India?

Under the Noise Pollution Rules, daytime limits are 50 dB(A) in silence zones, 55 in residential areas, 65 in commercial areas and 75 in industrial areas, with lower limits at night.

Is my audio recorded?

No. The sound level is calculated live in your browser; nothing is recorded, saved or uploaded.

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