What is Sound Level Meter?

Sound Level Meter uses your device's microphone to measure ambient noise in approximate decibels (dB). See a real-time gauge, waveform visualization, and min/max/average readings. Useful for checking room noise, comparing environments, or monitoring sound levels.

The meter pulls audio from your microphone, runs an RMS calculation, and maps the result to a logarithmic dB scale. A live waveform shows what's hitting the mic in real time, and a session history captures one snapshot per second. Export the log as CSV when you want a record.

How to use

1. Allow microphone access when prompted — the tool needs it to measure sound.
2. Watch the real-time dB meter and waveform. The display shows current, minimum, maximum, and average levels.
3. Use the reference guide to understand your readings: 30dB (whisper), 60dB (conversation), 85dB (heavy traffic), 120dB (pain threshold).

When to use

• Comparing how loud different rooms in your home are before recording a podcast.
• Checking how much noise a baby monitor, fan, or fridge actually puts out at night.
• Spot-checking workplace, gym, or restaurant noise against safety thresholds.

Result

You want to check if your home office is quiet enough for recording. Start the meter — it reads 35-40dB average (quiet room). Turn on the AC and it jumps to 52dB. Now you know to turn it off before recording.

FAQ

Are these decibel readings accurate enough for legal or safety reports?

No. Phone and laptop microphones aren't calibrated reference instruments and their response above 90 dB clips badly. Treat readings as relative — useful for A/B comparisons, not for occupational safety filings.

Why does my reading drop to zero or stay low even when there's clear noise?

Most operating systems apply automatic gain control and noise suppression to the mic stream. That smoothing can mask quiet, steady sounds. Disable noise cancellation in your OS audio settings for steadier readings.

Is my audio being uploaded anywhere?

No. The microphone stream stays on your device — only the numerical dB value and waveform get computed locally. Stop the meter and nothing further is captured.

What's a healthy long-term noise level for an office or bedroom?

Most acoustic guidance suggests under 40 dB for bedrooms at night and under 50 dB for focused office work. Sustained exposure above 80 dB starts contributing to hearing fatigue and damage over years.

Can I export the session readings to analyse later?

Yes. The session history captures one snapshot per second with current, min, max, and average dB values. Export the log as a CSV file and open it in any spreadsheet for charting or analysis.

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