Decibel Meter Online: Live dB With Min, Max and a 60 s History
RingtoneGenerator turns your phone or computer microphone into a decibel meter in your browser, free to try. It shows an estimated dB(A) level live, with min, average, max, peak and a 60-second history, A, C or Z weighting, and a calibration offset you can match to a real sound level meter. It works in modern browsers on iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows, with no app or sign-up. Audio stays on your device and is never uploaded.
- Free, no app, no sign-up
- Live dB with a 60 s history
- Min, average, max and peak
- Audio never uploaded
Min
--dB(A)
Avg (Leq)
--dB(A)
Max
--dB(A)
Peak
--dB
Duration
0:00
Offset
+100.0dB
Measure the sound level around you
Press Start and allow the microphone. Readings are estimates, and the audio stays on this device.
Ready to measure
Press Space or the mic button to start
Estimates only: browser microphones aren't calibrated, so this is not a legal, workplace or medical measurement.
- SpaceStart / stop mic
- PPause / resume
- RReset
- WWeighting
- TFast / slow
- FFull screen
- ECSV
- EscStop mic
Noise limit (classroom mode)
A big traffic light for noise
Set a limit and show it on a classroom screen: green when it's calm, amber when it's close, red when it's over. It uses a 1-second average so one clap doesn't trip it.
Calibration
Browser microphones aren't calibrated. The reading is the mic level in dBFS plus this offset. The default (+100 dB) makes a quiet room read roughly right on many laptops. Match it to a real meter for better estimates; it's remembered for this microphone in this browser.
Match a sound level meter
Hold your device next to a real sound level meter with a steady sound playing (pink noise from the Sound Test works well), set the same weighting, enter its reading and press Match now.
This page reads -- dB(A) (3-second average).
Typical sound levels
- ~120 dBSiren up close, thunderclap
- ~110 dBLoud rock concert, nightclub
- ~100 dBMotorcycle, power tools
- ~90 dBLawn mower, shouting
- ~80 dBBusy traffic, alarm clock
- ~70 dBVacuum cleaner, busy restaurant
- ~60 dBNormal conversation
- ~50 dBQuiet office, moderate rain
- ~40 dBLibrary, quiet home
- ~30 dBWhisper, quiet bedroom
- ~20 dBRustling leaves
Exposure guide (NIOSH)
NIOSH recommends no more than 8 hours a day at 85 dB(A), and half the time for every 3 dB above that. For reference only, not medical advice.
Values are typical and approximate; real sounds vary with distance and the room.
Good to know
- Readings are estimates (microphone level + an offset). Phone and laptop mics can differ by 10 dB or more.
- Not for legal, workplace-compliance or medical use. Use a certified sound level meter for that.
- The mic, its case and your system's input volume all change the reading. Recalibrate after changing any of them.
- Very loud sounds can overload a small mic, so readings near the top of the scale may be too low.
- dB(A) and dB(C) are digital approximations of the IEC 61672 curves, applied on top of your mic's own unknown frequency response.
- Unlike the mic test and the analyzer, the meter keeps the mic on in a background tab: history, CSV log and the limit beep carry on. Phones may still pause the page when the screen locks.
- Audio is processed on this device. Nothing is uploaded or stored, and there is no sign-in.
What a Decibel Meter Measures
A decibel meter turns sound into one number, the decibel (dB). The scale is logarithmic: every 10 dB more is ten times the sound energy and sounds about twice as loud, so 80 dB traffic is far louder than 60 dB talk, not just a third louder. This decibel meter reads your microphone many times a second, shows the level on a big gauge and draws the last 60 seconds, so you can see if a room is quiet, busy or loud, and what changes it.
- Music or a TV through the wall when you try to sleep.
- A classroom or open office that keeps getting louder.
- A gym class, club or concert that feels too loud.
- A fan, fridge or computer that hums all night.
- A ringtone you cannot hear on a busy street.
What This Sound Meter Does
Everything a quick sound level check needs, in one browser tab.
Live dB on a big gauge
A needle gauge and a large number update as you watch, with a Fast (125 ms) or Slow (1 s) response.
Min, average, max and peak
The sound meter tracks the quietest and loudest moments, the energy average (Leq) of the session and the highest peak.
60-second history
A scrolling line shows the last minute, so a door slam or a shout stands out from the steady background.
Calibration and weighting
Match the offset to a real meter; it is remembered for that microphone. Pick A, C or Z weighting.
Noise limit mode
Pick a limit and the noise meter shows a big green, amber or red signal, with an optional beep and full screen.
CSV export, nothing uploaded
Download a per-second CSV log. The microphone audio stays on your device and is never uploaded or saved by us.
How to Use the Decibel Meter Online in 3 Steps
From a closed tab to a live sound meter reading in about 10 seconds, with nothing to install.
- 1
Start and allow the mic
Press Start microphone and allow it when the browser asks. If you have more than one input, pick it in the device list.
- 2
Place the device
Hold the phone or laptop still, about 1 meter (3 feet) from the sound, with the microphone uncovered and facing it.
- 3
Read, pause or save
Watch the dB number, the min, average and max and the 60-second line. Pause to freeze it, Reset to start over, or press CSV to save a log.
Noise Meter Features: History, Calibration and Limits
Honest decibel meter readings first: echo cancellation, noise suppression and auto gain are switched off, so the browser does not quietly change the level.
Live dB Reading With a 60-Second History
The big number is the level right now, and the needle moves with every word, clap and engine, leaving a peak-hold mark for 2 seconds. Below it, a line draws the last 60 seconds, so you can tell a steady hum from a single bang. Min, average (Leq) and max count from the moment you start, next to the peak and the time measured. Fast follows quick changes over 125 ms; Slow averages over 1 second for a steadier number. Video call apps usually turn on echo cancellation, noise suppression and auto gain, which lift a quiet room and squash a loud one. This decibel meter asks the browser to switch all three off, so the sound meter shows what the microphone really hears.
Watch the Live ReadingA Reference Scale From Whisper to Concert
A number means more next to sounds you know. The Sound levels tab lists typical sounds from rustling leaves at 20 dB to a siren up close at 120 dB and marks where you are now: a whisper or a quiet bedroom near 30 dB, normal conversation near 60 dB, a vacuum cleaner near 70 dB, busy traffic near 80 dB and a loud rock concert near 110 dB. The exposure guide follows NIOSH: 8 hours a day at 85 dB(A), half the time for every 3 dB more, so about 1 hour at 94 dB, and it shows what that allows at your session average. Use the db meter as a hint to step away or wear ear plugs, not as a hearing test.
Compare Your RoomCalibrate It Against a Real Sound Level Meter
A browser measures in dBFS, the level compared with the loudest sound the microphone can take, and the page adds an offset, +100 dB by default, so a quiet room reads roughly right on many laptops. To do better, open the Calibrate tab and hold this device next to a real sound level meter with a steady sound playing; pink noise from the sound test works well. Set the same weighting, type the reading into Meter reads and press Match now: the page moves the offset so its last 3 seconds match. The offset is saved for that microphone in this browser. Calibrate again after you change the mic, its case or the input volume.
Set the OffsetClassroom Noise Limit With Color Zones
In the Noise limit tab, switch on Watch a noise limit and pick a level or a preset: Library 45, Classroom 55, Office 65 or Hearing 85 dB. The noise meter shows a big signal that stays green while the room is calm, turns amber within 6 dB of the limit and red above it. It uses a 1-second average, so one clap does not trip it, and it counts the time spent over the limit. Beep when it's too loud adds two short beeps after a second over the limit. Press Full screen to put it on a projector or tablet, in a classroom, an open office or a rehearsal room.
Set a Noise LimitDecibel Meter Demo, No Microphone Needed
Pick a place to see a typical level, its 60-second line and where it sits on the scale. The demo plays made-up data and never asks for your microphone.
Min
61.3
Average
61.3
Max
61.3
Closest to talk (about 60 dB) on the reference scale.
Made-up room sounds, drawn in your browser. Nothing here uses the microphone.
Pick a place
Real rooms move: a quiet office drifts between about 40 and 50 dB, while a street jumps 10 dB each time a bus goes by. That is why the average and the 60-second line say more than one number. Press Start on the decibel meter at the top to measure your own room the same way.
Tips for an Honest dB Meter Reading
Small habits that make a phone or laptop noise meter read closer to the truth.
Same device, same spot
Compare rooms or days with one device in one position. Two phones read differently, even after calibration.
Mind the distance
Sound from a small source drops about 6 dB each time you double the distance, so note how far away you stood.
Keep the mic clear
Do not cover the microphone with a finger or a case, and keep the phone out of a pocket or bag.
Close other mic apps
Calls, voice assistants and recorders can hold the microphone or turn processing back on. Close them first.
Browser Decibel Meter vs Phone App vs Sound Level Meter
Pick the tool that fits the job. For legal, workplace or medical measurements, only a certified meter will do.
| Browser Decibel Meter vs Phone App vs Sound Level Meter | RingtoneGenerator decibel meter online | Phone noise meter app | Class 2 sound level meter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free to a few dollars, often with ads | Roughly $100 to $500 |
| Install | Nothing, opens in a tab | App store download | Separate device |
| Works on | Phones, tablets and computers | One phone | The meter itself |
| Calibration | Offset you set against a real meter | Some apps offer an offset | Factory calibrated, checked with a calibrator |
| Frequency weighting | A, C or Z, approximate | Often A only | A, C and Z |
| Fast and Slow response | Some apps | ||
| Accuracy | An estimate, depends on the mic | An estimate, varies by phone | Meets IEC 61672 Class 2 limits |
| 60 s history and export | History and per-second CSV | Varies | Logging on many models |
| Audio stays on the device | Depends on the app | ||
| Workplace or legal use |
Who Uses a Noise Meter
Quick checks where a rough number beats a guess.
Teachers
Put the noise limit board on the projector in full screen, so the class sees the level and keeps it in the green.
Home offices
Check the fan, the street or the next room before a call, then run a mic test to hear what others will hear.
Sleep and baby rooms
Leave the decibel meter running for a minute at night to see if traffic or a fan keeps the room above 30 to 40 dB.
Concerts, gyms and clubs
See when the music goes past 100 dB, then take a break or wear ear plugs.
Neighbor noise
Note the time, the level and the source as a first record before you talk to a neighbor or landlord. For a formal complaint, ask about a certified measurement.
Ringtones and speakers
Measure how loud your phone rings across a room, then make a loud ringtone if it gets lost in the noise.
Decibel Meter FAQ
Straight answers on readings, accuracy and privacy.
Is this decibel meter accurate?
It gives an estimate that is good for comparing rooms and seeing when noise rises, but it is not a certified measurement. Phone and laptop microphones are not calibrated and can differ by 10 dB or more, and many pick up very low and very high sounds weakly. Match the calibration offset to a real sound level meter to bring the numbers closer.
How do I measure decibels on my phone?
Open this page in Safari or Chrome, press Start microphone and allow it. The decibel meter works on iPhone and Android with no app. Hold the phone still, with the microphone uncovered and pointing at the sound.
Is there a free decibel meter online with no app?
Yes, this one. It runs in your browser for free, with no download and no sign-up, on phones, tablets and computers.
What is the difference between a decibel meter, a sound meter and a noise meter?
In everyday use there is none: all three show sound level in dB. A sound level meter, or SPL meter, usually means a certified handheld device built to the IEC 61672 standard; a db meter on a phone or in a browser gives an estimate.
What is dBFS, and why does the meter need an offset?
dBFS means decibels relative to full scale: 0 dBFS is the loudest sound the microphone can record, and everything else is below it. Real sound pressure is measured in dB SPL. The calibration offset, +100 dB by default, bridges the two on your device, so once you match it, the readings line up with a real meter.
Does it measure dBA?
Yes, as an estimate: A-weighting is on by default. It turns down low and very high frequencies the way ears do, so a deep hum reads lower than with Z, which is flat; C keeps more of the bass. These are digital versions of the IEC 61672 curves on top of your mic, so it is not a compliant dBA reading.
How loud is too loud?
NIOSH guidance limits exposure to 85 dBA averaged over 8 hours, and each extra 3 dB halves the time. If you must raise your voice to talk to someone at arm length, the room is probably near or above 85 dB. Take breaks and use ear plugs at concerts.
What is a normal noise level in a room?
A quiet bedroom at night is about 30 dB, a library 40 dB, a quiet office 50 dB, a conversation about 60 dB and a busy restaurant about 70 dB. Your reading will move around these, so look at the average.
Can I use it for workplace safety or a noise complaint?
Not as proof. It is fine for a first look and personal notes, but workplace, legal and medical decisions need a certified sound level meter used by a trained person.
Why do two phones show different numbers?
Each phone has its own microphone, position and built-in processing, and browsers handle audio slightly differently. Calibrate each device on its own, and compare readings from the same device.
Why does it never read lower in a very quiet room?
Every microphone has its own hiss. In a very quiet room the reading stops at that floor, so the room is probably quieter than the number. Very loud sounds can also hit the top of what the microphone takes and stop rising.
Can I export the readings?
Yes. Press CSV to download a per-second log of the session and open it in Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets to keep a record or draw your own chart.
Does the sound meter record or upload my audio?
No. The microphone signal is turned into numbers on your device and is never uploaded or saved by us. Only the CSV you choose to export leaves the page, as a file on your device.
Does it keep measuring if I switch tabs?
Yes. The decibel meter keeps measuring in a background tab, so you can leave it running. Phones may still pause the page when the screen locks, so keep the screen on for long sessions.
The browser blocked my microphone. What now?
Click the icon next to the address bar, set Microphone to Allow and reload. On a Mac, also check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone; on Windows, Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. If another app holds the mic, close it. A mic test helps find the right input.
Can it tell me the pitch or frequency of a noise?
This page shows how loud a sound is. To see which frequencies a hum or whine is made of, open the frequency analyzer, which draws a live spectrum and spectrogram.
More Free Device Tests
After the decibel meter, check the microphone, the speakers and the headphones.
Too Noisy to Hear Your Phone?
A street can sit near 80 dB. Make a ringtone that cuts through with our free ringtone maker, or pick a louder alarm.
Measure Noise With the Decibel Meter Now
Press Start, allow the microphone and read the live dB level, the min, average and max and the 60-second line. This decibel meter is free, needs no app or sign-up, and your audio never leaves your device.