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Free online sound meter

Read noise levels in decibels using your phone, tablet or laptop microphone. Built to compare the noise of portable air conditioners, and useful for any room.

FreeRuns in your browserNo audio stored
A phone showing a decibel reading while a portable air conditioner sends sound waves towards a microphone
--dB
Ready to measure
MIN
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AVG
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MAX
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Calibrate the meter
Align reading · offset 90 dB

Hearing safety: Start measuring to check the noise level in your environment.

Frequency spectrumLow / Bass → High / Treble
History · last 30sdB over time
1209060300
Danger 100
0 · Silent40 · Quiet70 · Safe85 · Limit100+ · Harmful120 dB

Note: This online sound meter is a reference-only estimate. Device microphones vary, so results may be shifted — use the calibrate control above to align the reading against a known source. For legal or occupational compliance, use a professional class-1 or class-2 meter. Quiet room ≈ 30–40 dB, conversation ≈ 60 dB, city traffic ≈ 80 dB.

Measurement History

No saved readings yet. Press Stop during a measurement and its min, average, and max are saved here — even after you close the sound meter.

Measure in four steps

  1. 1

    Allow the microphone

    Press Start measuring and allow access when your browser asks.

  2. 2

    Hold it steady

    Place the device about a metre from the noise source and keep it still.

  3. 3

    Let it settle

    Run for 30 to 60 seconds so the average steadies, then note min, average and max.

  4. 4

    Calibrate if needed

    If a silent room reads too high or low, use the align buttons to correct it.

What a sound meter measures

A sound meter measures how loud a sound is and shows it in decibels (dB). This online version samples audio from your device's microphone in the browser, so there is nothing to install: open the page, allow the microphone and it starts reading.

We built it to help shoppers compare the noise of portable air conditioners, but it works for a noisy office, a neighbour's music or a quiet bedroom too. A sound meter and a decibel meter are the same thing. A professional one is a calibrated hardware device; this one estimates the level from your microphone, which makes it good for comparing sources and less suitable for legal or workplace compliance.

Common sound levels in decibels, from a quiet bedroom to a loud concert
ReadingTypical exampleLevel
30 dBQuiet bedroom at night, a libraryQuiet
40 dBQuiet office, a refrigerator humQuiet
50 dBLight rain, a quiet conversationModerate
60 dBNormal conversation, a typical portable air conditionerModerate
70 dBVacuum cleaner, busy road trafficLoud
85 dBHearing risk begins with long exposureHarmful over time
100 dB+Lawnmower, nightclubHarmful quickly

Using the sound meter to test an air conditioner

Point the microphone at the unit from about a metre away and read the average at each fan speed.

Under 50 dB

Very quiet for a portable unit. Suitable for bedrooms and home offices.

50 to 62 dB

Typical. Fine for living rooms; use sleep mode if you want to sleep in the same room.

63 dB and above

Loud for a home. Best for daytime, short bursts or rooms away from where you sleep.

Your privacy

  • Everything runs in your browser; no audio is sent to our servers.
  • No recordings or audio files are stored.
  • You can revoke microphone access at any time.

Works on

  • Phones, tablets and computers with a built-in microphone.
  • Current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge.
  • No app or account needed.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is this online sound meter?

It is a good tool for comparing sounds, but it is not a calibrated instrument. Phone and laptop microphones differ, so readings can be a few decibels off. Use the calibrate buttons to align the reading with a known source, and use a certified meter for legal or workplace testing.

Is a sound meter the same as a decibel meter?

Yes. Both measure how loud a sound is and show it in decibels. You may also see them called sound level meters or SPL meters.

What decibel level is quiet enough for a bedroom?

Aim for about 50 dB or lower from a portable air conditioner at your bed, and lower still if you are a light sleeper. The World Health Organization suggests around 30 dB for continuous noise in a bedroom.

Does the sound meter record or upload my audio?

No. Measurement happens in your browser. No audio is sent to our servers or stored, and you can revoke microphone access at any time in your browser settings.

Why does the reading change when I move the phone?

Distance and surfaces change what the microphone hears. Every doubling of distance lowers the level by about 6 dB. For fair comparisons, measure from the same spot, about a metre from the unit, at each fan speed.

Choose a quieter unit