Decibel Shield
Decibel chart › 140 dB
How loud is 140 decibels?
140 decibels is about as loud as firecrackers, a jet engine at takeoff, a firearm at the shooter's ear. That is far above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: there is no safe exposure time at all, and even a brief moment can harm hearing. On the decibel scale, each 10 dB step sounds roughly twice as loud.
Last updated:
| Sound level | 140 dB |
|---|---|
| Hearing risk | Extreme |
| Safe exposure (NIOSH) | Unsafe at any duration |
What 140 dB sounds like
These charted sounds sit at about 140 dB — sourced to CDC, NIOSH, NIDCD and ASHA. Open any one for its own breakdown, or see the full decibel levels chart.
- Firecrackers 140–150 dB
- Jet engine at takeoff 140–150 dB
- Firearm at the shooter's ear 140–165 dB
How loud is 140 decibels (140 dB)?
140 decibels is about as loud as firecrackers, a jet engine at takeoff, a firearm at the shooter's ear. That is far above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: there is no safe exposure time at all, and even a brief moment can harm hearing. On the decibel scale, each 10 dB step sounds roughly twice as loud.
Is 140 decibels dangerous, and how long is safe?
At 140 dB there is no safe daily exposure at all — it can harm hearing almost instantly, so hearing protection is essential.
Measure 140 dB yourself
Want to know if where you are hits 140 dB? Check it live with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser, and nothing is recorded or uploaded.