Sound library

Common sounds, placed on a useful scale.

Explore typical ranges, compare examples and open a sourced guide where one is published. These are context-dependent reference ranges, not fixed readings.

Typical ranges for normal conversation, a vacuum cleaner, baby crying, a lawn mower and a concert on a shared scale from 50 to 110 dB.
Typical ranges overlap. Distance, environment, source and measurement method can change the actual reading.
Typical example

Whisper

A whisper is quiet at close range. Distance and room reflections can change the reading substantially.

Usually well below occupational exposure limits.

25–35 dB
  • Whisper25–35 dB

    A whisper is quiet at close range. Distance and room reflections can change the reading substantially.

    Usually well below occupational exposure limits.

  • Normal conversation55–75 dB

    Normal conversation varies with vocal effort, distance, background noise and room acoustics.

    Ordinary one-to-one conversation is generally not treated as a hearing hazard.

    Read sound guide
  • Vacuum cleaner65–85 dB

    Vacuum cleaner readings change with the model, setting, floor, room and microphone position.

    Duration matters more for repeated or occupational cleaning than for a short household task.

    Read sound guide
  • Busy traffic75–85 dB

    Road traffic changes with vehicle mix, speed, distance and surrounding buildings.

    Long or repeated exposure near the upper end deserves attention.

  • Lawn mower86–96 dB

    Powered mower levels vary with the machine, blade, load, terrain and operator position.

    Levels in this range can accumulate occupational noise dose quickly.

    Read sound guide
  • Concert85–105 dB

    Concert levels vary by audience position, loudspeaker layout, venue, programme and averaging period.

    At higher average levels, a full occupational reference dose can accumulate rapidly.

    Read sound guide
  • Baby crying75–100 dB

    Crying levels vary strongly with age, vocal effort, distance, room and whether average or maximum is reported.

    A close loud cry and repeated exposure are different contexts; the reading cannot assess health.

    Read sound guide
  • Siren105–120 dB

    Sirens are designed to remain audible over other sound and can be intense at close range.

    Move away from the source when practical; distance strongly affects the level.

  • Fireworks120–150 dB

    Fireworks produce brief impulse peaks. Type, distance and surroundings create large variations.

    Impulse sound is not well represented by a simple continuous-exposure estimate.

Typical ranges vary with distance, environment, source and measurement method.

Initial collection

5 complete guides, 9 comparisons

Sounds without a full article remain available in the Explorer without linking to unfinished pages.