# Measure how loud a place is

> An estimate from your microphone. Match it to a real sound meter to calibrate it.

A decibel meter in your browser: a live estimate of dBA from your microphone, with min, average and max over a 60-second graph. Nothing is recorded.

- Tool: [Sound level meter](https://fixmint.cc/noise-meter)
- Category: [Device checks](https://fixmint.cc/device-tests)
- Fixes: How loud is it?
- Runs in the browser: files and text stay on the device, no sign-up, free.

## How to measure sound level

1. Press Start microphone and allow access when the browser asks.
2. Hold the device where you want to measure, away from your hand and any speaker.
3. Read the live number. Use the calibration to match a real meter if you have one.

## Questions

### How accurate is a phone or laptop sound meter?

It is an estimate, not a calibrated meter. Microphones differ between devices and models, so the reading can be several decibels off. Match it to a real sound level meter with the calibration control, then the offset is kept for next time on the same device.

### What is dBA?

dBA is decibels with A-weighting, a filter that roughly follows how human hearing responds to different pitches. Most noise limits and hearing guidance use dBA.

### At what level can noise damage hearing?

The U.S. CDC says sound at 85 decibels or more can damage hearing over time, and NIOSH sets its workplace limit at 85 dBA averaged over 8 hours. Every 3 dB louder halves the safe time.

### Does the sound leave my device?

No. The microphone signal is measured in this page only. Nothing is recorded, saved or uploaded, and the microphone stops when you press Stop or leave the page.

## Related tools

- [Microphone test](https://fixmint.cc/microphone-test): Can they hear me?
- [Speaker test](https://fixmint.cc/speaker-test): Is sound coming from both sides?
- [Guitar tuner](https://fixmint.cc/guitar-tuner): Strings sound out of tune
- [Webcam test](https://fixmint.cc/webcam-test): Is my camera working?