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Quiet · Sound level

How loud is 36 dB?

36 dB is quiet – sounds about 5.3 times quieter than normal conversation.

36 dB
0306085110140194

Listen: sounds near 36 dB

Purr-Rent-Ambient-Yoik-2022 09 19 13 38 13
3:00CC BY-SA 4.0by 1stArtHistorianWikimedia Commons
3:00
Papercut simple whisper 2 - 100 bpm
0:19CC BY 3.0by The Rubicon DeltaWikimedia Commons
0:19
0.001262 PaSound pressure
3.98 × 10^-9 W/m²Intensity
×0.19Perceived vs. 60 dB talk
No limitNIOSH daily limit

How loud is 36 dB?

36 decibels is quiet. 36 dB sounds about 5.3 times quieter than normal conversation (60 dB), and it carries 0.00398 times the sound energy. Typical sounds around this level: cat purring, whisper, quiet library.

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 36 dB safe?

Yes. 36 dB is far below the levels that damage hearing. In bedrooms, the WHO recommends night-time levels around 30 dB or lower for undisturbed sleep.

Sounds around 36 dB

25 dBCat purring
Purrs are low (25–150 Hz) and quiet; most are about 25 dB at a short distance.30 dBWhisper
A soft whisper at about 1.5 m (5 ft).40 dBQuiet library
Background level of a quiet reading room.40 dBRefrigerator hum
Modern fridges are often rated 32–40 dB.

Frequently asked questions

Is 36 dB loud?

36 dB is quiet. For comparison: cat purring, whisper, quiet library.

How many times louder is 36 dB than 26 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 36 dB?

36 dB is safe for unlimited listening.