Noise Comparison Tool – Compare Two Places by dB (A)

Compare Room Noise Levels Online (Free dB Difference Calculator)

This simple tool helps you answer everyday questions like: Is my home office quieter than the living room? or How much louder is the street-facing bedroom compared to the courtyard side? Record short samples and you’ll see the average decibel and peak decibel for each place, plus a clear difference in dB.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I record each place?

Ten seconds is a good starting point for typical rooms. For very changeable environments (traffic, construction, crowds), try twenty seconds so the average settles. You can always retake a sample if a sudden bang or shout skewed the numbers.

What does the “difference in dB” actually tell me?

Decibels are logarithmic. A 3 dB difference is a small but noticeable step. Around 6 dB is clearly louder. A 10 dB jump is perceived as roughly twice as loud to our ears. So if Room A averages 52 dB and Room B averages 62 dB, B will feel much louder in day-to-day use.

Is this accurate enough for apartment hunting or desk moves?

For everyday comparisons—yes. You’ll get a dependable sense of which spot is quieter and by how much. Microphone quality and distance to the noise source matter, so hold your phone or laptop in a similar position for both recordings.

Does the tool record or upload my audio?

No. Everything runs locally in your browser. We analyze the microphone signal in real time and throw it away—nothing is stored or sent to a server.

Is this A-weighted like a dB(A) meter?

Readings are an uncalibrated estimate intended to mimic everyday A-weighted monitoring. If you need formal measurements for workplace safety or legal purposes, use a calibrated sound level meter.

Any quick ways to reduce room noise?

Close gaps around doors, add soft materials (curtains, rugs, books), and position your desk away from hard corners. Even a small change—like moving a meter farther from a noisy window—can shave several dB off the reading.