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Decibel chart › 98 dB
How loud is 98 decibels?
98 decibels is about as loud as a hand drill, a car horn at 5 m, an approaching subway train. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 24 minutes 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 | 98 dB |
|---|---|
| Hearing risk | High |
| Safe exposure (NIOSH) | About 24 minutes a day |
| Workplace limit (OSHA) | 2 to 3 hours a day (OSHA noise limits) |
What is comparable to 98 decibels?
Everyday examples of sounds around 98 decibels, each sourced to CDC, NIOSH, NIDCD and ASHA. Open any one for its own breakdown, or see the full decibel levels chart.
- Hand drill 98 dB
- Car horn at 5 m 100 dB
- Approaching subway train 100 dB
- Jackhammer 100 dB
- Stock car race 96 dB
- Snowmobile 100 dB
- Cicada chorus 90–100 dB
- Circular saw 96–107 dB
- Barking dogs 88.4–100.3 dB
- Sporting event 94–110 dB
- Train horn 96–110 dB
- Tractor with no cab 82–100 dB
- Movie theater 74–104 dB
- Generator 79–97 dB
Is any city as loud as 98 dB?
No city averages 98 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 98 decibels sound like?
98 decibels is about as loud as a hand drill, a car horn at 5 m, an approaching subway train. That is at or above the 85 dB hearing-risk line: NIOSH limits safe exposure to about 24 minutes 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 98 decibels too loud?
Yes, 98 decibels is loud, about the loudness of a hand drill, at or above the 85 dB line, so prolonged exposure can damage hearing and ear protection is recommended.
How long is 98 decibels safe to hear?
At 98 dB, NIOSH puts the safe daily exposure at about 24 minutes a day. Each 3 dB increase halves it.
How far away can you hear 98 dB?
In open air a small source measured at 98 dB from 1 m falls to about 78 dB at 10 m and 58 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 98 dB yourself
Want to know if where you are hits 98 dB? Check it live with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser, and nothing is recorded or uploaded.