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How loud is a shower?

A shower is typically around 70 dB — comparable to a vacuum cleaner at 3 m. That falls in the “loud” band, safe for unlimited exposure.
0 dB3570105140 dB
Typical level
70 dB
Category
Loud
Vs conversation
2.0× louder
Safe limit
Unlimited

People search “how loud is a shower?” for two reasons: curiosity about the number, and a practical worry about whether it is doing damage. Here is both — the typical level, what it feels like next to sounds you know, and what to do about it.

What 70 dB actually feels like

70 dB is loud but still below the 85 dBA action level, so it will not damage hearing at any duration. The practical issue is communication and annoyance: at this level you start to raise your voice to be heard, and prolonged exposure becomes fatiguing even though it is not dangerous. In the specific case of a shower, the figure depends a lot on distance and the exact source: measured close up it can be several decibels higher, and across a room several decibels lower. Treat 70 dB as a representative, real-world value rather than a fixed constant.

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Is a shower dangerous?

At 70 dB, a shower is safe for your hearing. It sits below the 85 dBA action level, so there is no cumulative hearing risk — although loud, sustained everyday noise can still affect sleep and concentration.

A shower vs other everyday sounds

SoundLevelCompared to a shower
A television70 dBabout the same
A washing machine70 dBabout the same
A portable generator75 dB5 dB louder
A busy restaurant75 dB5 dB louder
A toilet flushing75 dB5 dB louder
A vacuum cleaner75 dB5 dB louder

How to reduce it

Soft furnishings, sealed door gaps and a little extra distance all help. Because 70 dB is not a hearing hazard, the goal is comfort — reducing reflections and background hum rather than blocking dangerous peaks. See our soundproofing guide for what actually works.

Frequently asked questions

How many decibels is a shower?
A shower is typically about 70 dB, though the exact figure varies with distance, model and conditions. That places it in the “loud” band of the decibel scale.
Is a shower bad for your hearing?
At about 70 dB, a shower is below the 85 dBA action level, so it will not damage hearing at any duration.
How does a shower compare to normal conversation?
Normal conversation is about 60 dB. At 70 dB, a shower is perceived as roughly 2.00× as loud and carries about 10× the sound energy.
How can I make a shower quieter?
Move further away, add soft furnishings to cut reflections, and seal gaps around doors — distance and mass are the two things that reliably help.

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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.