Listen: sounds near 120 dB
How loud is 120 dB?
120 decibels is painful. 120 dB sounds about 64.0 times as loud as normal conversation (60 dB), and it carries 1e+06 times the sound energy. Typical sounds around this level: baby crying, bagpipes, lion roar.
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 120 dB dangerous?
Yes, with enough exposure. NIOSH recommends no more than 9 seconds per day at 120 dBA (US law, via OSHA, allows 7.5 minutes). Hearing damage from noise is cumulative and permanent, so use earplugs or earmuffs, increase distance or reduce exposure time.
Sounds around 120 dB
Very close to the ear; levels drop quickly with distance.110 dBBagpipes
Highland pipes at the player's ear.114 dBLion roar
Commonly cited maximum, at about 1 m. Roars carry up to 8 km.116 dBScreaming piha
One of the loudest birds measured, at 1 m.120 dBEmergency siren
CDC lists sirens at 110–129 dB.120 dBThunder (close)
A strike within a few hundred metres.120 dBVuvuzela
At 1 m from the horn.125 dBWhite bellbird
The loudest bird song ever measured: 125.4 dB at 1 m.
Safe listening time
| Level | NIOSH recommended limit | OSHA legal limit (US) |
|---|---|---|
| 114 dBA | 35 seconds | 17 minutes |
| 117 dBA | 18 seconds | 11 minutes |
| 120 dBA | 9 seconds | 7.5 minutes |
| 123 dBA | 4 seconds | 4.9 minutes |
| 126 dBA | 2 seconds | 3.3 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 120 dB loud?
120 dB is painful. For comparison: baby crying, bagpipes, lion roar.
How many times louder is 120 dB than 110 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 120 dB?
NIOSH recommends a maximum of 9 seconds per day at 120 dBA.