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Extremely loud · Sound level

How loud is 104 dB?

104 dB is extremely loud – sounds about 21.1 times as loud as normal conversation.

104 dB
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Listen: sounds near 104 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
3.17 PaSound pressure
0.02512 W/m²Intensity
×21.11Perceived vs. 60 dB talk
6.0 minutesNIOSH daily limit

How loud is 104 dB?

104 decibels is extremely loud. 104 dB sounds about 21.1 times as loud as normal conversation (60 dB), and it carries 2.51e+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 104 dB dangerous?

Yes, with enough exposure. NIOSH recommends no more than 6.0 minutes per day at 104 dBA (US law, via OSHA, allows 1.1 hours). Hearing damage from noise is cumulative and permanent, so use earplugs or earmuffs, increase distance or reduce exposure time.

Sounds around 104 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.105 dBCircular saw
At the operator's position.105 dBSymphony orchestra (peak)
Musicians inside the orchestra are exposed more than the audience.

Safe listening time

LevelNIOSH recommended limitOSHA legal limit (US)
98 dBA24 minutes2.6 hours
101 dBA12 minutes1.7 hours
104 dBA6.0 minutes1.1 hours
107 dBA3.0 minutes45 minutes
110 dBA1.5 minutes30 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 104 dB loud?

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

How many times louder is 104 dB than 94 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 104 dB?

NIOSH recommends a maximum of 6.0 minutes per day at 104 dBA.