Listen to thunder
How loud is thunder?
Thunder is about 120 dB, with a typical range of 110–130 dB. A strike within a few hundred metres.
That is about 64 times as loud to the ear as normal conversation and 1e+06 times the sound energy.
Can it damage your hearing?
Yes, with enough exposure. At 120 dBA, NIOSH recommends a daily limit of 9 seconds; at the top of the range (130 dB) it is less than a second. 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 thunder
Very close to the ear; levels drop quickly with distance.110 dBBagpipes
Highland pipes at the player's ear.110 dBCar alarm
Measured close to the vehicle.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 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.
More recordings elsewhere
- Thunder God by Ivan Tregub (BER) – CC BY 3.0 (jamendo)
- THUNDER / Rain low frequencies 4-CHANNEL-48kHz.wav by BlueDelta – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Thunder by Fission9 – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Thunder Rush. 28 July 2021.wav by carthny – CC0 1.0 (freesound)
- Thunder Tube, Large, Hit, A (H1).wav by InspectorJ – CC BY 4.0 (freesound)
Frequently asked questions
How many decibels is thunder?
About 120 dB, with a typical range of 110–130 dB.
Is thunder louder than a jet engine?
No – a jet engine at takeoff is about 140 dB at 30 m, while thunder is about 120 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
- Typical values compiled from CDC, NIOSH and ASHA noise charts
- Thunder by Subhashish Panigrahi – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Very close thunder cracks by Delorean76 – CC BY-SA 3.0
- Thunder Sound by Shishirdasika – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Thunder crack 2B by Jud McCranie – CC BY-SA 4.0