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Decibel chart › 88 dB
How loud is 88 decibels?
88 decibels is about as loud as a generator, a movie theater, a shouted conversation. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 4 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 | 88 dB |
|---|---|
| Hearing risk | High |
| Safe exposure (NIOSH) | About 4 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 88 decibels?
Everyday examples of sounds around 88 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
- Movie theater 74–104 dB
- Shouted conversation 90 dB
- Hair dryer 80–90 dB
- Kitchen blender 80–90 dB
- Tractor with no cab 82–100 dB
- Riding a subway 90–95 dB
- Barking dogs 88.4–100.3 dB
- Cicada chorus 90–100 dB
Is any city as loud as 88 dB?
No city averages 88 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 88 decibels sound like?
88 decibels is about as loud as a generator, a movie theater, a shouted conversation. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 4 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 88 decibels too loud?
Yes, 88 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 88 decibels safe to hear?
At 88 dB, NIOSH puts the safe daily exposure at about 4 hours a day. Each 3 dB increase halves it.
How far away can you hear 88 dB?
In open air a small source measured at 88 dB from 1 m falls to about 68 dB at 10 m and 48 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 88 dB yourself
Want to know if where you are hits 88 dB? Check it live with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser, and nothing is recorded or uploaded.