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Decibel chart › 101 dB
How loud is 101 decibels?
101 decibels is about as loud as a circular saw, a sporting event, a car horn at 5 m. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 12 minutes a day, and every 3 dB louder halves that. On the decibel scale, each 10 dB step sounds roughly twice as loud. Measure it yourself with Decibel Shield's free online decibel meter.
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| Sound level | 101 dB |
|---|---|
| Hearing risk | Extreme |
| Safe exposure (NIOSH) | About 12 minutes a day |
| Workplace limit (OSHA) | 1.5 to 2 hours a day (OSHA noise limits) |
What is comparable to 101 decibels?
Everyday examples of sounds around 101 decibels, each sourced to CDC, NIOSH, NIDCD and ASHA. Open any one for its own breakdown, or see the full decibel levels chart.
- Circular saw 96–107 dB
- Sporting event 94–110 dB
- Car horn at 5 m 100 dB
- Approaching subway train 100 dB
- Snowmobile 100 dB
- Train horn 96–110 dB
- Gas-powered leaf blower 92–102 dB
- Cicada chorus 90–100 dB
- Barking dogs 88.4–100.3 dB
- Tractor with no cab 82–100 dB
- Movie theater 74–104 dB
Is any city as loud as 101 dB?
No city averages 101 dB. That is a sound-source level, not an ambient one. The loudest mapped cities peak around 70–75 dB by day. These are the loudest mapped.
- Orange, CA 4.4% of residents at 70 dBA or more
- Terni 55–75 dB by day
- Hastings 55–75 dB by day
What does 101 decibels sound like?
101 decibels is about as loud as a circular saw, a sporting event, a car horn at 5 m. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 12 minutes a day, and every 3 dB louder halves that. On the decibel scale, each 10 dB step sounds roughly twice as loud. Measure it yourself with Decibel Shield's free online decibel meter.
Is 101 decibels too loud?
Yes, 101 decibels is loud, about the loudness of a circular saw, at or above the 85 dB line, so prolonged exposure can damage hearing and ear protection is recommended.
How long is 101 decibels safe to hear?
At 101 dB, NIOSH puts the safe daily exposure at about 12 minutes a day. Each 3 dB increase halves it.
How far away can you hear 101 dB?
In open air a small source measured at 101 dB from 1 m falls to about 81 dB at 10 m and 61 dB at 100 m, losing 6 dB each time the distance doubles. You keep hearing it while it stays above the background level around you: farther in a quiet field at night, much less on a 60 dB street. Walls, ground and wind change the figure.
Work out any distance, or a line source such as a road, with the sound distance calculator.
Measure 101 dB yourself
Want to know if where you are hits 101 dB? Check it live with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser, and nothing is recorded or uploaded.
