Decibel Shield
Decibel chart › 87 dB
How loud is 87 decibels?
87 decibels is about as loud as a hair dryer, a kitchen blender, a movie theater. 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.
Last updated:
| Sound level | 87 dB |
|---|---|
| Hearing risk | High |
| Safe exposure (NIOSH) | About 5 hours a day |
What does 87 decibels sound like?
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.
- 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
How loud is 87 decibels (87 dB)?
87 decibels is about as loud as a hair dryer, a kitchen blender, a movie theater. 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.
Is 87 decibels loud?
Yes, 87 decibels is loud, about the loudness of a hair dryer, at or above the 85 dB line, so prolonged exposure can damage hearing and ear protection is recommended.
Is 87 decibels dangerous, and how long is safe?
At 87 dB, NIOSH puts the safe daily exposure at about 5 hours a day. Each 3 dB increase halves it.
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.