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Safe Headphone Volume: The 60/60 Rule

Headphones and earbuds are a top cause of preventable hearing loss. The 60/60 rule is a simple way to keep listening safe.

⏱️ Safe Listening Time

Key points

  1. Keep the volume at no more than 60% of maximum.
  2. Listen for no more than 60 minutes at a stretch, then take a break.
  3. Use over-ear or noise-cancelling headphones so you are not turning up the volume to beat background noise.
  4. If someone an arm’s length away can hear your music, it is too loud.
  5. Maxed-out headphones can hit 100–110 dB — dangerous in well under 15 minutes.

FAQ

Is 60% volume safe?

For most headphones, 60% keeps levels in a safer range, especially combined with breaks. Lower it further in quiet rooms where you don’t need much volume.

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