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Decibel chart › 87 dB
How loud is 87 decibels?
87 decibels is about as loud as a battery leaf blower, a generator, 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. Measure it yourself with Decibel Shield's free online decibel meter.
Last updated:
| 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) |
Measure 87 dB yourself
Want to know if where you are hits 87 dB? Press Start and the meter below reads it live. It runs in your browser, and nothing is recorded or uploaded.
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.
- Battery leaf blower 81–91 dB
- Generator 79–97 dB
- Movie theater 74–104 dB
- Hair dryer 80–90 dB
- Kitchen blender 80–90 dB
- Tractor with no cab 82–100 dB
- Fuel-powered mower 86–97 dB
- City traffic 80–85 dB
- Battery push mower 77–87 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 battery leaf blower, a generator, 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. 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 battery leaf blower, 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.
