Listen to normal breathing
How loud is normal breathing?
Normal breathing is about 10 dB, with a typical range of 5–15 dB. Measured close to the face in a very quiet room.
That is quieter than normal conversation (60 dB).
Can it damage your hearing?
No – 10 dB is well below the 85 dBA level at which prolonged exposure starts to risk hearing damage.
How sound level changes with distance
Decibel figures always depend on distance. For a small source in open air, every doubling of distance lowers the level by about 6 dB; indoors, reflections reduce that drop. Use the sound-vs-distance calculator to estimate the level where you are.
Sounds as loud as normal breathing
More recordings elsewhere
- BreathingWomNose.aiff by nickrave – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Breathing Mouth.aiff by nickrave – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Inhale_10115b.wav by otherthings – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Old lady breathing - panic.wav by Vampirella17 – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Extreme Exhale by unfa – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
Frequently asked questions
How many decibels is normal breathing?
About 10 dB, with a typical range of 5–15 dB.
Is normal breathing louder than a jet engine?
No – a jet engine at takeoff is about 140 dB at 30 m, while normal breathing is about 10 dB.
How are these levels measured?
With a sound level meter, usually A-weighted (dBA) to match human hearing. Published figures depend on distance and conditions, so treat them as typical values.