Decibel Shield

Classroom noise meter › Voice level chart

Voice level chart for the classroom

Five voice levels, from 0 to 4: silent, whisper, partner voice, table voice and presenter voice. Each one says when to use it, so a class can switch levels on a number instead of a raised voice. The chart prints on one page; use your browser's print command. A soft whisper is about 30 dB, normal conversation about 60 to 70 dB.

0

Silent

Tests, reading time, listening to instructions.

1

Whisper

Asking a neighbour a quick question.

A soft whisper is about 30 dB.

2

Partner voice

Working with one other person, so only they can hear.

3

Table voice

Group work: your group hears you, the next table does not.

Normal conversation is about 60 to 70 dB.

4

Presenter voice

Speaking to the whole class so everyone can hear.

Last updated:

Show the level live

A chart sets the rule; a meter shows when the room drifts. The classroom noise meter turns the device's microphone into a green, amber and red light for a projector or interactive board, with thresholds you set yourself. Nothing is recorded.

What are the voice levels in a classroom?

Most charts use five, from 0 to 4: silent, whisper, partner voice, table or group voice, and presenter voice. Some add a fifth, outside voice, for the playground. The numbers matter more than the names: a teacher can call "voice level 2" across a room without raising their own.

How do I print the chart?

Use your browser's print command (Control-P on Windows, Command-P on a Mac, or Share then Print on a phone). The page prints on its own, without the site's menus, at a size that fills a letter or A4 sheet.

How loud is each voice level in decibels?

Only two are well documented: a soft whisper is about 30 dB and normal conversation about 60 to 70 dB; shouting reaches about 90 dB. The levels in between depend on the room and the speaker, which is why the classroom noise meter lets you set your own thresholds.

Can I show the noise level live?

Yes. The classroom noise meter turns the room into a green, amber and red light on a projector or interactive board, using the device's microphone, and nothing is recorded.

Decibel figures from the decibel levels chart, sourced to CDC and NIDCD.