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Decibel chart › 87 dB
How loud is 87 decibels?
87 decibels is about as loud as a generator, a hair dryer, a kitchen blender. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 5 hours 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 | 87 dB |
|---|---|
| Hearing risk | High |
| Safe exposure (NIOSH) | About 5 hours a day |
| Workplace limit (OSHA) | At the 85 dBA action level; no time limit until 90 dBA (OSHA noise limits) |
What is comparable to 87 decibels?
Everyday examples of sounds around 87 decibels, each sourced to CDC, NIOSH, NIDCD and ASHA. Open any one for its own breakdown, or see the full decibel levels chart.
- Generator 79–97 dB
- Hair dryer 80–90 dB
- Kitchen blender 80–90 dB
- Movie theater 74–104 dB
- Tractor with no cab 82–100 dB
- City traffic 80–85 dB
- Gas-powered lawn mower 80–85 dB
- Gas-powered leaf blower 80–85 dB
- Barking dogs 88.4–100.3 dB
Is any city as loud as 87 dB?
No city averages 87 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 87 decibels sound like?
87 decibels is about as loud as a generator, a hair dryer, a kitchen blender. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 5 hours 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 87 decibels too loud?
Yes, 87 decibels is loud, about the loudness of a generator, at or above the 85 dB line, so prolonged exposure can damage hearing and ear protection is recommended.
How long is 87 decibels safe to hear?
At 87 dB, NIOSH puts the safe daily exposure at about 5 hours a day. Each 3 dB increase halves it.
How far away can you hear 87 dB?
In open air a small source measured at 87 dB from 1 m falls to about 67 dB at 10 m and 47 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 87 dB yourself
Want to know if where you are hits 87 dB? Check it live with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser, and nothing is recorded or uploaded.