Allow your microphone
Press Start measuring and approve the browser prompt. Keep the microphone uncovered and leave the device still.
Online Sound Meter & Decibel Meter
Measure ambient noise with your microphone. View live decibel estimates, track changes, and export your results in your browser.
Free to useNo downloadNo account needed
Measure your sound level
Ready to measure
—dB(A) estimate
Audio is processed on your device. Never recorded or uploaded.
Time measured00:00:00
Minimum—dB(A)
Average—dB(A)
Maximum—dB(A)
Sound level over time
30 sec · dB(A)Your live chart appears when you start measuring.
Estimated levels. Accuracy varies by microphone. Accuracy guide ↗
Report notes (optional)＋
GETTING STARTED
How to measure decibels online
Turn your microphone into a browser-based noise level meter. No installation required.
Watch for a pattern
Measure for 30–60 seconds. Watch the average level and use the chart to spot short changes.
Save the context
Stop, note the location and distance, and save a report. Repeat with the same setup to compare changes fairly.
DECIBEL LEVEL GUIDE
Understand your sound level
These are approximate examples, not calibration targets. Distance, room acoustics and the source itself can change the level considerably.
Estimated levelEnvironmentEveryday examples
20–40dBA
Quiet surroundings
A quiet bedroom, leaves rustling, a whisper at a distance.
40–60dBA
Everyday background
A calm office or conversation nearby.
60–85dBA
Noticeably louder
A busy street, vacuum cleaner or lively restaurant.
85–100dBA
Loud environments
Some power tools, machinery or amplified music.
100–120dBA
Very loud sources
A loud concert or siren nearby. Reduce exposure and protect your hearing.
120+dBA
Intense sound
Fireworks or other impulse sounds nearby. Move away; consumer microphones can saturate.
What does dB(A) mean?
dB(A) is a commonly used way to describe environmental noise. It adjusts the contribution of different frequencies. This tool’s reading also depends on your microphone and calibration.
Why time matters
Noise-related hearing risk depends on level and duration. Loud impulse sounds also matter. The exposure calculator illustrates an occupational reference, rather than diagnosing individual risk.
What does a change in dB mean?
Decibels use a logarithmic scale: an increase of 10 dB corresponds to ten times the sound intensity. Small changes in the number can represent a substantial difference.
Understand the 3 dB rule ↗ACCURACY & CALIBRATION
How accurate is an online sound meter?
Microphone sensitivity and input processing affect the number. A reference meter can align one steady level; consistent positioning makes comparisons more useful.
Understand accuracy & calibration ↗Keep input gain, microphone position and distance unchanged.
Keep the microphone uncovered and away from airflow.
Repeat equal-length sessions and compare their averages.
LEVEL & DURATION
Explore noise level and exposure time
Enter a measured noise level to explore how exposure time changes as sound gets louder.
dBA
70 dBA130 dBA
Reference exposure time8 h 0 min85 dBA → 8 h · 88 dBA → 4 h · 91 dBA → 2 h
Based on the NIOSH occupational reference. Uses the level you enter, independently of the meter above. Not a personal safety assessment. Read the NIOSH guidance ↗
YOUR RESULTS, SAVED LOCALLY
Save your noise measurement results
Keep one session’s statistics, charts and notes together. The report includes the measurement time, microphone and calibration details so you can understand it later.
Save the report as PDF from the browser’s print dialog.
Download the session’s data as CSV.
Add location, distance and notes before exporting.
Example report with fictional data. Your export contains your own session’s results.
Open the full example report ↗EVERYDAY NOISE CHECKS
Use a sound meter at home, work or on your computer
Home & neighbours
Compare appliance settings, open and closed windows, or changes to your room. Keep dated notes about what you hear.
Work & study
Find quieter times in a shared space or compare meeting locations. A short session does not represent a full workday.
Audio & computer setups
Compare fan noise, background hum and room changes. The spectrum helps reveal where signal energy is concentrated.
Traffic & intermittent sound
Compare equal-length sessions at the same window. Note passing vehicles and use the history to distinguish bursts from steady background sound.
Hearing, sleep and concentration
Noise can affect more than hearing. For a room or study space, note recurring events and when they occur alongside your measurements.
WHO: environmental noise and health ↗QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Online sound meter FAQ
How do I measure decibels on my PC?
Select Start measuring and allow microphone access. The meter measures sound reaching your microphone, not your computer’s internal playback volume. Use the average and history to understand changes.
Why is the sound meter not working?
Open the HTTPS version in a current browser. Check microphone permission in both the browser and operating system, confirm the input is connected and not muted, then close other apps using it and try again.
The microphone is allowed. Why does the reading barely change?
Check the selected input under Microphone & advanced options and your system input-level indicator. A muted or unintended input may show little activity. Automatic gain or noise suppression can also flatten changes; check the device settings and any processing warning.
Is an online decibel meter accurate?
Absolute readings are estimates unless aligned to a trusted reference, and alignment does not correct every hardware error. Use the Accuracy guide for the procedure and limitations.
Why are two devices showing different numbers?
Microphone sensitivity and audio processing differ. Comparing the same device before and after a change is usually more useful than comparing uncalibrated numbers from two devices.
How do I calibrate my microphone?
Open Microphone & advanced options, choose Calibrate and enter the average from a trusted reference meter beside your microphone during a steady sound. Do not use a typical household sound as the reference.
What do minimum, average and maximum mean?
Minimum and maximum are the lowest and highest short-interval readings. Average summarizes the energy over the captured audio; it is not a simple average of the displayed numbers. Time measured counts analyzed audio.
Why does it need microphone permission?
The browser needs permission to supply microphone samples. They are processed locally, never recorded or uploaded by the meter, and are not included in exports.
Does this work on a phone?
Yes, in a supported mobile browser. Keep the page visible: switching apps, locking the screen or an audio interruption can stop the measurement. Completed results are kept until a new measurement or reload.
How do I save a PDF?
Stop the measurement and select Save report. In the report window, choose Print / Save PDF, then use the browser’s Save as PDF option. CSV is available separately.
Can a report prove a noise complaint or workplace limit?
It is a personal record, not a certified survey or a determination of compliance. Ask the relevant authority which equipment and procedure a formal assessment requires.
Does a low reading mean a sound is safe?
No. Hardware limits can understate loud sounds, and a short session cannot assess daily exposure. The calculator explains an occupational reference using a separately entered level; it does not validate the microphone reading.
MEASUREMENT GUIDES