🎚️ Decibel Meter

Phone and laptop microphones are not calibrated, so absolute dB readings are approximate — typically off by 10 dB or more depending on the device. Use it for relative comparison (is A louder than B?) rather than for safety, legal, or medical measurements. For accurate readings, use a calibrated SPL meter.

A decibel is a logarithmic unit that measures sound pressure level. Because our ears perceive loudness logarithmically, every 10 dB increase sounds roughly twice as loud. 0 dB is near the threshold of human hearing; normal conversation is around 60 dB; sustained exposure above 85 dB can damage hearing.

Prolonged exposure to sound above 85 dB can cause permanent hearing damage. Rock concerts (100–110 dB) can damage hearing in minutes. As a rule of thumb: if you have to shout to be heard, the environment is loud enough to be harmful over time.

Each device's microphone has a different sensitivity and frequency response, and none are calibrated to a known SPL reference. This is why the same real-world sound produces different readings across devices — another reason to treat web decibel meters as approximate.

No. This tool is not calibrated and should not be used for legal, regulatory, or occupational safety measurements. Use a certified Type 2 (or better) SPL meter for those purposes.