How loud is 146 dB?
146 decibels is dangerous. 146 dB sounds about 388.0 times as loud as normal conversation (60 dB), and it carries 3.98e+08 times the sound energy. Typical sounds around this level: .22 caliber rifle, jet engine at takeoff, loudest stadium crowd.
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 146 dB dangerous?
Yes, with enough exposure. NIOSH recommends no more than less than a second per day at 146 dBA (US law, via OSHA, allows 12 seconds). Hearing damage from noise is cumulative and permanent, so use earplugs or earmuffs, increase distance or reduce exposure time.
Impulse noise and the limits of sound
At 140 dB and above even a single exposure – a gunshot, an explosion, fireworks at close range – can cause immediate, permanent hearing damage. NIOSH sets 140 dB as the ceiling for unprotected impulse noise.
194 dB is the theoretical maximum for an undistorted sound wave in air at sea level: the pressure swings between zero (a vacuum) and twice atmospheric pressure. Beyond that, sound becomes a shock wave.
Sounds around 146 dB
Safe listening time
| Level | NIOSH recommended limit | OSHA legal limit (US) |
|---|---|---|
| 140 dBA | less than a second | 28 seconds |
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 146 dB loud?
146 dB is dangerous. For comparison: .22 caliber rifle, jet engine at takeoff, loudest stadium crowd.
How many times louder is 146 dB than 136 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 146 dB?
NIOSH recommends a maximum of less than a second per day at 146 dBA.