Yuzool

Decibel meter

An estimate of how loud it is in decibels, from your microphone. Nothing is recorded.

–dB
Estimate: phone mics aren't calibrated
Tap Start to measure
20406080100120
Min–
Avg–
Max–
0:00
Last minuteOffset +100 dB
How loud is that?

Nothing is recorded: the page reads the microphone's level and keeps only the numbers. For a closer reading, set the offset against a real sound level meter in Settings.

About the decibel meter

This decibel meter listens through your microphone and shows an estimate of the sound level in dB(A), with the minimum, average and maximum since you started, a graph of the last minute and a list of everyday sounds at similar levels.

It is an estimate. Phone and laptop microphones aren't calibrated, and each one hears loudness a little differently, so readings can be several decibels off. To get closer, match it once to a real sound level meter with the offset in Settings.

The page reads the microphone's level and keeps only the numbers: no audio is recorded or uploaded. It works on phones and on computers with a microphone.

How to use it

  1. Tap Start and allow microphone access when the browser asks.
  2. Hold the phone still, pointing the microphone towards the sound, and don't cover it with your hand.
  3. Watch the live level, and the min, average and max underneath.
  4. Tap Stop for a summary of the session. Reset clears the min, average and max.

Good for

  • Seeing whether music, a party or a workshop is getting too loud
  • Comparing how loud two appliances or fans are
  • Checking a quiet room for sleep or recording
  • A rough number before you complain about noise

Questions

How accurate is a phone decibel meter?

It is an estimate. In a 2014 study by NIOSH, the US workplace safety institute, a few iPhone apps came within about 2 dB of a reference meter, but most apps were less accurate. A browser can't know your microphone's sensitivity, so treat the number as a guide.

What does dB(A) mean?

Decibels with A-weighting, which turns down very low and very high frequencies the way human hearing does. It is the usual unit for noise people hear.

Does the decibel meter record me?

No. It reads the sound level many times a second and keeps only the numbers. No audio is stored or sent anywhere.

More tools in Bubble Level

Bubble levelSpirit levelLevel appInclinometerAngle finderOnline rulerRuler on screencm rulerInch rulerProtractorCompassDecibel meterSound level meterNoise meter

Everything is in one free app: Bubble Level. Guide: How to hang a picture straight.