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Extremely loud · Sound level

How loud is 102 dB?

102 dB is extremely loud – sounds about 18.4 times as loud as normal conversation.

102 dB
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Listen: sounds near 102 dB

Black-Prince-Cicada- Psaltoda-plaga
0:31CC BY-SA 4.0by 7575uWikimedia Commons
0:31
Sec. Walsh on Construction Jobs in Infrastructure Bill v2
0:40Public domainby https://www.youtube.com/c/WhiteHouse/Wikimedia Commons
0:40
2.518 PaSound pressure
0.01585 W/m²Intensity
×18.38Perceived vs. 60 dB talk
9.4 minutesNIOSH daily limit

How loud is 102 dB?

102 decibels is extremely loud. 102 dB sounds about 18.4 times as loud as normal conversation (60 dB), and it carries 1.58e+04 times the sound energy. Typical sounds around this level: cicada chorus, construction site, garbage truck.

Decibels are logarithmic: every +10 dB means ten times more sound intensity but is heard as only about twice as loud, and every +6 dB doubles the sound pressure. That is why a few decibels can make a big difference.

Is 102 dB dangerous?

Yes, with enough exposure. NIOSH recommends no more than 9.4 minutes per day at 102 dBA (US law, via OSHA, allows 1.5 hours). Hearing damage from noise is cumulative and permanent, so use earplugs or earmuffs, increase distance or reduce exposure time.

Sounds around 102 dB

100 dBCicada chorus
Some species exceed 100 dB at 50 cm.100 dBConstruction site
Mixed heavy machinery nearby.100 dBGarbage truck
Compactor running, at curbside.100 dBHeadphones at max volume
CDC: personal listening devices at maximum volume reach 94–110 dB.100 dBHelicopter
Flying overhead at about 30 m (100 ft).100 dBNightclub
On the dance floor.100 dBRooster crowing
Over 130 dB has been measured at the rooster's own ear canal.100 dBSnowmobile
Rider's ear at full throttle.

Safe listening time

LevelNIOSH recommended limitOSHA legal limit (US)
96 dBA38 minutes3.5 hours
99 dBA19 minutes2.3 hours
102 dBA9.4 minutes1.5 hours
105 dBA4.7 minutes1.0 hours
108 dBA2.4 minutes40 minutes

NIOSH: 85 dBA for 8 hours with a 3 dB exchange rate; OSHA: 90 dBA for 8 hours with a 5 dB exchange rate. General information, not medical advice – see a hearing professional about ringing ears, muffled hearing or pain.

Frequently asked questions

Is 102 dB loud?

102 dB is extremely loud. For comparison: cicada chorus, construction site, garbage truck.

How many times louder is 102 dB than 92 dB?

A 10 dB increase means ten times the sound intensity and is heard as roughly twice as loud.

How long can you listen to 102 dB?

NIOSH recommends a maximum of 9.4 minutes per day at 102 dBA.