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Decibel chart › 89 dB
How loud is 89 decibels?
89 decibels is about as loud as a movie theater, riding a subway, a generator. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 3.2 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 | 89 dB |
|---|---|
| Hearing risk | High |
| Safe exposure (NIOSH) | About 3.2 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 89 decibels?
Everyday examples of sounds around 89 decibels, each sourced to CDC, NIOSH, NIDCD and ASHA. Open any one for its own breakdown, or see the full decibel levels chart.
- Movie theater 74–104 dB
- Riding a subway 90 dB
- Generator 79–97 dB
- Tractor with no cab 82–100 dB
- Fuel-powered mower 86–97 dB
- Battery leaf blower 81–91 dB
- Hair dryer 80–90 dB
- Kitchen blender 80–90 dB
- Barking dogs 88.4–100.3 dB
- Cicada chorus 90–100 dB
- Battery push mower 77–87 dB
Is any city as loud as 89 dB?
No city averages 89 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 89 decibels sound like?
89 decibels is about as loud as a movie theater, riding a subway, a generator. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 3.2 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 89 decibels too loud?
Yes, 89 decibels is loud, about the loudness of a movie theater, at or above the 85 dB line, so prolonged exposure can damage hearing and ear protection is recommended.
How long is 89 decibels safe to hear?
At 89 dB, NIOSH puts the safe daily exposure at about 3.2 hours a day. Each 3 dB increase halves it.
How far away can you hear 89 dB?
In open air a small source measured at 89 dB from 1 m falls to about 69 dB at 10 m and 49 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 89 dB yourself
Want to know if where you are hits 89 dB? Check it live with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser, and nothing is recorded or uploaded.
