Online Sound Meter
See how loud it is around you, using your device's microphone. Nothing is recorded.
Sound level
--dB
Estimated level, unweighted. Microphones vary, so calibrate for a closer reading.
Your browser will ask for microphone access. Audio stays on this device.
Last 30 seconds
- Min
- –
- Average
- –
- energy average
- Max
- –
How to use the sound meter
- Tap Start measuring and allow microphone access when your browser asks.
- Hold the device still with the microphone uncovered, pointing toward the sound.
- Watch the live level, the 30-second graph and the session minimum, maximum and average. Tap Stop to release the microphone.
Understanding the reading
The meter shows an estimated level in decibels (dB), based on how a typical phone or laptop microphone responds. Higher means louder, and every 10 dB sounds roughly twice as loud. Because microphones differ, the same room can read 5 to 15 dB apart on different devices, so the meter is best for comparing sounds on one device: before and after closing a window, or one appliance against another.
The average is energy-based (like Leq), so short loud sounds count more than they would in a simple average of decibel values, which matches how sound exposure is usually measured.
Why a phone can't replace a sound level meter
- Every microphone model has a different sensitivity, so the same room reads differently on different devices.
- Phones are tuned for voice and can reduce very loud sounds. The meter asks the browser to turn off noise suppression, echo cancellation and automatic gain, but not every device honours that.
- Professional meters use frequency weighting (dB(A) or dB(C)). These readings are unweighted, so they are not dB(A) even after calibration.
- Cases, wind and how you hold the device all change the reading.
Calibrating for better estimates
If you have access to a real sound level meter, play a steady sound such as a fan or pink noise, place both devices side by side and use Calibrate. The meter stores the offset for this microphone in this browser. Calibrated readings are closest to the meter's value at similar volumes and drift further away for much quieter or louder sounds.
Frequently asked questions
Is this sound meter accurate?
It gives a good estimate, but phone and laptop microphones are not calibrated and their sensitivity varies between models, so uncalibrated readings can be 5 to 15 dB away from a real sound level meter. It is most reliable for comparing louder and quieter sounds on the same device.
What do the numbers mean?
Readings are estimated decibels (dB). As a rough guide, a quiet room is around 30 to 40 dB, normal conversation around 60 dB, busy traffic around 80 dB, and a loud concert 100 dB or more. Most phone microphones can't record much above about 100 dB, so very loud sounds may read lower than they are.
How do I get more accurate readings?
Use Calibrate while measuring a steady sound next to a real sound level meter, and enter what it shows. The app saves the difference for this microphone and uses it from then on. Readings stay estimates because microphones respond differently at different pitches and volumes.
Is my audio recorded or uploaded?
No. The audio is analysed in your browser to calculate a level and is immediately discarded. Nothing is recorded, stored or sent anywhere, and the microphone is released when you tap Stop or leave the page.
Can I use this to check if noise is harmful to my hearing?
No. This tool is not a certified measuring instrument and should not be used for hearing safety, workplace or legal noise assessments. Use a certified Class 1 or Class 2 sound level meter for those.