How loud is 110 decibels?
110 dB is a rock concert, a chainsaw or a car horn close by. Hearing can be harmed in under 2 minutes. Earplugs at concerts reduce the level by 15–30 dB without ruining the music.
Extremely loud
Hearing damage possible within minutes. Protect your ears.
Sounds around 110 dB
- Jackhammer105 dB
- Rock concert110 dB
- Chainsaw110 dB
- Car horn (2 m)110 dB
Is 110 dB safe?
NIOSH recommends a maximum of 1 min per day at 110 dB(A). The more lenient US OSHA workplace limit is 30 min.
- NIOSH
- 1 min
- OSHA
- 30 min
Where you hear 110 dB
110 dB is a rock concert near the stage, a chainsaw, a car horn at close range or a packed club dance floor. The WHO Global Standard for Safe Listening Venues and Events recommends that venues keep levels at or below 100 dB LAeq over any 15 minutes, which many concerts still exceed.
Practical tips at 110 dB
Wear earplugs at concerts; musician-style plugs lower the level evenly, so the music still sounds natural. Standing away from the speakers makes a big difference, and a short break in a quieter area every hour gives your ears time to recover. Ringing ears after a show is a warning sign of temporary damage.
The physics of 110 dB
- Sound pressure
- 6.3 Pa
- Sound intensity
- 0.1 W/m²
- Energy vs. threshold of hearing
- 10¹¹×
How does 110 dB compare?
Measure 110 dB yourself
Open the free sound meter, press Start and see whether your environment is above or below 110 dB.
Frequently asked questions
Is 110 dB safe?
NIOSH recommends a maximum of 1 min per day at 110 dB(A). The more lenient US OSHA workplace limit is 30 min.
Sounds around 110 dB
Jackhammer (105 dB), Rock concert (110 dB), Chainsaw (110 dB), Car horn (2 m) (110 dB)
How does 110 dB compare?
110 dB sounds about 4× as loud as 90 dB, with 100× the sound energy. 110 dB sounds about 2× as loud as 100 dB, with 10× the sound energy. 110 dB sounds about 2× quieter than 120 dB. 110 dB sounds about 4× quieter than 130 dB.
Sources
Exposure limits follow the NIOSH REL (85 dB(A), 3 dB exchange rate) and the OSHA PEL (90 dB(A), 5 dB exchange rate). Example levels are typical values; real sources vary with distance and conditions.
- Noise and hearing loss basics (NIOSH recommended exposure limit), CDC / NIOSH
- 29 CFR 1910.95: Occupational noise exposure, US OSHA
- Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region (2018), World Health Organization
- Safe listening devices and systems: a WHO-ITU standard (H.870), World Health Organization
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, NIH / NIDCD
Measure the noise around you now
100% private. Audio is analysed on your device and is never recorded or uploaded.
Open the sound meter