How loud is 85 decibels?
85 dB is the most important number in hearing safety. It is the level of a hair dryer or heavy traffic, and NIOSH sets it as the threshold at which 8 hours of daily exposure may cause permanent hearing loss. Above it, safe listening time halves every 3 dB.
Very loud
Risk of hearing damage with prolonged exposure. Consider ear protection.
Sounds around 85 dB
- Inside a train or subway car80 dB
- Alarm clock (close)80 dB
- Heavy city traffic80 dB
- Piano (1 m)80 dB
- Hair dryer85 dB
- Food blender90 dB
- Gas lawn mower90 dB
- Dog barking (5 m)90 dB
Is 85 dB safe?
NIOSH recommends a maximum of 8 hr per day at 85 dB(A). The more lenient US OSHA workplace limit is 16 hr.
- NIOSH
- 8 hr
- OSHA
- 16 hr
Where you hear 85 dB
85 dB(A) is the reference point for occupational hearing rules worldwide. NIOSH sets its recommended exposure limit at 85 dB(A) over 8 hours, 85 dB(A) is the EU upper exposure action value, and OSHA requires a hearing conservation program once workers reach an 8-hour average of 85 dB(A). A hair dryer, a food processor and heavy city traffic are typical 85 dB sources.
Practical tips at 85 dB
If you measure 85 dB or more, time matters. Use the meter’s Leq to see your average, and remember that each 3 dB rise halves the safe time under the NIOSH rule: 8 hours at 85 dB, 4 hours at 88 dB and 2 hours at 91 dB. Properly fitted foam earplugs typically cut 15 to 30 dB.
The physics of 85 dB
- Sound pressure
- 0.36 Pa
- Sound intensity
- 3.2 × 10⁻⁴ W/m²
- Energy vs. threshold of hearing
- 3.2 × 10⁸×
How does 85 dB compare?
65 dB
85 dB sounds about 4× as loud as 65 dB, with 100× the sound energy.
75 dB
85 dB sounds about 2× as loud as 75 dB, with 10× the sound energy.
95 dB
85 dB sounds about 2× quieter than 95 dB.
105 dB
85 dB sounds about 4× quieter than 105 dB.
Measure 85 dB yourself
Open the free sound meter, press Start and see whether your environment is above or below 85 dB.
Frequently asked questions
Is 85 dB safe?
NIOSH recommends a maximum of 8 hr per day at 85 dB(A). The more lenient US OSHA workplace limit is 16 hr.
Sounds around 85 dB
Inside a train or subway car (80 dB), Alarm clock (close) (80 dB), Heavy city traffic (80 dB), Piano (1 m) (80 dB), Hair dryer (85 dB), Food blender (90 dB), Gas lawn mower (90 dB), Dog barking (5 m) (90 dB)
How does 85 dB compare?
85 dB sounds about 4× as loud as 65 dB, with 100× the sound energy. 85 dB sounds about 2× as loud as 75 dB, with 10× the sound energy. 85 dB sounds about 2× quieter than 95 dB. 85 dB sounds about 4× quieter than 105 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
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