Decibel Shield
Decibel chart › 100 dB
How loud is 100 decibels?
100 decibels is about as loud as a car horn at 5 m, an approaching subway train, a jackhammer. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 15 minutes a day, and every 3 dB louder halves that. On the decibel scale, each 10 dB step sounds roughly twice as loud.
Last updated:
| Sound level | 100 dB |
|---|---|
| Hearing risk | Extreme |
| Safe exposure (NIOSH) | About 15 minutes a day |
What 100 dB sounds like
These charted sounds sit at about 100 dB — sourced to CDC, NIOSH, NIDCD and ASHA. Open any one for its own breakdown, or see the full decibel levels chart.
- Car horn at 5 m 100 dB
- Approaching subway train 100 dB
- Jackhammer 100 dB
- Sporting event 94–110 dB
How loud is 100 decibels (100 dB)?
100 decibels is about as loud as a car horn at 5 m, an approaching subway train, a jackhammer. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 15 minutes a day, and every 3 dB louder halves that. On the decibel scale, each 10 dB step sounds roughly twice as loud.
Is 100 decibels dangerous, and how long is safe?
At 100 dB, NIOSH puts the safe daily exposure at about 15 minutes a day. Each 3 dB increase halves it.
Measure 100 dB yourself
Want to know if where you are hits 100 dB? Check it live with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser, and nothing is recorded or uploaded.