Listen to city traffic
How loud is city traffic?
City traffic is about 85 dB, with a typical range of 80–90 dB. Standing at the curb of a busy street.
That is about 6 times as loud to the ear as normal conversation and 316 times the sound energy.
Can it damage your hearing?
Yes, with enough exposure. At 85 dBA, NIOSH recommends a daily limit of 8.0 hours; at the top of the range (90 dB) it is 2.5 hours. Wear earplugs or earmuffs, keep your distance and limit time near the source.
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 city traffic
Cruising flight; seats near the engines are louder.80 dBAlarm clock
Measured at the pillow.80 dBGarbage disposal
Kitchen sink food waste disposer.85 dBGas lawn mower
CDC lists gas mowers and leaf blowers at 80–85 dB; operator-ear levels can be higher.85 dBHair dryer
Very close to the ear while in use.85 dBMovie theater
CDC gives 74–104 dB depending on the film and seat.85 dBSmoke alarm
Alarms must reach at least 85 dB at 3 m (10 ft).88 dBBlender
High-power blenders crushing ice are the loudest.
Safe listening time
| Level | NIOSH recommended limit | OSHA legal limit (US) |
|---|---|---|
| 79 dBA | 32.0 hours | 36.8 hours |
| 82 dBA | 16.0 hours | 24.3 hours |
| 85 dBA | 8.0 hours | 16.0 hours |
| 88 dBA | 4.0 hours | 10.6 hours |
| 91 dBA | 2.0 hours | 7.0 hours |
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.
More recordings elsewhere
- city traffic 03 MS 141121_0457.wav by klankbeeld – CC BY 4.0 (freesound)
- city traffic noise2.MP3 by Cameron Johnson – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- busy city traffic 50km 161003_1006.wav by klankbeeld – CC BY 4.0 (freesound)
- Hamburg City Traffic Ambience by Kinoton – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- city traffic 01 MS 141121_0459.wav by klankbeeld – CC BY 4.0 (freesound)
Frequently asked questions
How many decibels is city traffic?
About 85 dB, with a typical range of 80–90 dB.
Is city traffic louder than a jet engine?
No – a jet engine at takeoff is about 140 dB at 30 m, while city traffic is about 85 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.
Sources & credits
- CDC – What Noises Cause Hearing Loss?
- Funkverkehr – Air Traffic Cleveland 1995 by Maximilian Schönherr – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rm-sursilv-il biro da traffic by Speaker: Erwin Ardüser – CC0 1.0
- Rm-sursilv-la tabla da traffic by Speaker: Erwin Ardüser – CC0 1.0