About Is It Noisy?

A free, privacy-focused online decibel meter designed to help you measure and understand environmental noise levels instantly - no app download required.

Our Mission: Making Sound Measurement Accessible

We believe everyone should have easy access to tools that help protect their hearing and understand their acoustic environment. Is It Noisy? provides a free, easy-to-use online decibel meter that works directly in your web browser - whether you're a concerned parent checking nursery noise levels, a remote worker assessing home office acoustics, a student learning about sound science, or anyone curious about the noise around them.

What Is It Noisy? Offers

🎯 Real-Time Noise Measurement

Instant decibel readings using the Web Audio API and your device's microphone. See current, average, and peak noise levels with visual charts tracking changes over time.

📊 Comprehensive Sound Database

Browse 48+ detailed articles explaining how loud common sounds are - from whispering and conversation to lawn mowers and rock concerts. Compare and understand everyday noise levels.

🔒 Privacy-First Design

All audio processing happens locally in your browser. We never record, store, or transmit your audio data to servers. Your measurements remain on your device only.

📱 Works Everywhere

Access from any device with a web browser - iPhone, Android, laptop, or desktop. No app installation, no account required, completely free forever.

Key Features of Our Online Decibel Meter

Real-time decibel (dB) measurements with visual chart
Current, average, and peak noise level tracking
Color-coded safety indicators (green, yellow, orange, red)
Measurement history with timestamps (saved locally)
Adjustable sensitivity calibration for your device
Shareable measurement links to show others your readings
Detailed decibel chart with 48+ common sound sources
Educational guides explaining hearing safety and noise levels
No installation, no account, completely free
Works on iPhone, Android, tablets, and computers

How Our Sound Level Meter Works

Is It Noisy? uses the Web Audio API, a powerful browser technology that provides real-time audio processing capabilities. When you click "Start Measuring", your browser requests access to your device's microphone. Once granted, the app captures ambient sound and analyzes audio waveforms to calculate sound pressure levels in decibels (dB).

The algorithm processes thousands of audio samples per second, applying digital signal processing techniques to convert raw audio data into meaningful decibel measurements. Results are displayed instantly with smoothing algorithms to reduce visual noise while maintaining accuracy. A visual chart shows how noise levels change over time, helping you identify patterns and peak noise events.

Technical Note: Our meter approximates A-weighted decibels (dBA), the standard scale for measuring environmental and occupational noise as it correlates with human hearing sensitivity across frequencies.

Who Uses Is It Noisy?

🏠 Homeowners & Renters

Check neighborhood noise, assess home office acoustics, monitor appliance loudness

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents

Monitor nursery noise levels, check toy loudness, ensure safe listening environments for children

🎓 Students & Educators

Learn about sound physics, conduct science experiments, teach hearing safety principles

💼 Remote Workers

Assess home office noise levels, optimize workspace acoustics, identify distracting sounds

🎵 Musicians & Audio Professionals

Quick venue checks, rehearsal space assessment, general noise awareness (not for professional calibration)

👂 Hearing Health Advocates

Identify potentially harmful noise exposure, educate about hearing protection, promote acoustic awareness

Your Privacy is Protected

Zero audio recording. Is It Noisy? processes all audio data locally in your web browser using the Web Audio API. We do not record, store, or transmit any audio to our servers or third parties. Your microphone captures sound only to calculate decibel levels in real-time - nothing more.

Local-only data storage. Your measurement history (numerical dB readings, timestamps, and labels) is saved locally on your device using browser localStorage. We have no access to this data. You can clear it anytime by clearing your browser's site data.

Read our complete Privacy Policy for detailed information about data handling and your rights.

Important: Accuracy & Limitations

While Is It Noisy? provides useful estimates of noise levels for general awareness and educational purposes, it is not a substitute for professional sound level meters. Accuracy depends on your device's microphone quality, which varies significantly between devices and is not calibrated to reference standards.

Do NOT use this tool for:

• OSHA workplace compliance measurements
• EPA environmental noise assessments
• Legal proceedings or noise complaints
• Building acoustics certification
• Professional audio engineering work

For these applications, hire a certified acoustical consultant or industrial hygienist with calibrated Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meters meeting IEC 61672 international standards.

Built With Modern Web Technologies

Is It Noisy? is built using cutting-edge web technologies to deliver a fast, reliable, and privacy-focused experience:

Frontend

Next.js 13, React, TypeScript, Chakra UI, Tailwind CSS

Audio Processing

Web Audio API, Chart.js for visualizations

Content

MDX for articles, gray-matter for metadata

Start Measuring Noise Levels Now

Free forever. No signup required. Works on any device.

Launch Decibel Meter →

Learn more about sound levels and hearing safety:

Decibel Chart•All Guides•FAQs•Privacy Policy•Terms of Service