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Decibel comparisons

How much louder is one level than another? Because decibels are logarithmic, a 10 dB gap means ten times the energy but only about twice the perceived loudness. Pick a pair to see the exact ratios and what each sounds like.

Each comparison page breaks down the energy ratio, the perceived-loudness ratio, the combined level when both sound at once, and which side needs hearing protection. These are the most-searched pairings:

Popular comparisons

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Sources & accuracy. Reference levels are drawn from published data by NIOSH, OSHA, the CDC, the WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Real-world readings vary with distance, room acoustics and the specific source, so treat every figure as a typical value rather than an exact constant. Last reviewed 2026-08-11.