Session tracking with live waveform
Start a session to capture maximum, minimum and average sound levels on a live waveform, then review statistics including average exposure (Leq).
Sound Meter
Sound Meter: Decibel Meter App for iPhone and Android
Measure noise levels in real time with live decibel readings.
UtilitiesSound Meter turns your phone's microphone into a live decibel meter, with session tracking, history and an optional Hearing Risk Insights panel. Want to test it first? Try the free online decibel meter in your browser, or read how to measure sound levels with your phone for background on accuracy and technique.
🧪Try it in your browser
No install needed — try the free web version right now.
📖About This App
Turn your phone into a sound level meter. Sound Meter uses your phone's microphone to show a live decibel reading on a 0-130 dB scale, with a sound level guide comparing your current reading to everyday references like a whisper, a normal conversation or traffic. Start a session to track maximum, minimum and average levels while watching a live waveform, then review session statistics including the average exposure (Leq). An optional Hearing Risk Insights panel estimates noise dose and a projected 8-hour time-weighted average with health tips — viewing it is always free. Sound Meter Pro removes ads, lifts the 10-minute cap on background measuring, and lets you export noise diary and night-report PDFs and unlock unlimited saved places with trend sparklines without spending a pass. Every session is saved to history so you can look back later. The app works fully offline and never records or uploads audio, and it is available in 14 languages. Because it relies on your phone's built-in microphone and is not calibrated to a reference standard unless you calibrate it yourself in Settings, readings are a helpful estimate for everyday use rather than a certified measurement, and the app is not intended for occupational safety or regulatory compliance decisions.
🧭How It Works
- 1Open the Scan tab and allow microphone access to see a live dB reading on a 0-130 dB scale.
- 2Start a session to capture maximum, minimum and average levels on a live waveform.
- 3Stop the session to review statistics, including the average exposure (Leq), and optionally view Hearing Risk Insights.
- 4Browse every past session from the History tab, or calibrate the microphone against a reference meter in Settings.
Product tour
See the app in action
Real screens from the current app. Swipe or scroll to explore.
Live decibel reading
A real-time dB gauge compares your reading to everyday sound references.
Hearing risk insights
See an estimated noise dose and projected 8-hour average exposure.
Session history
Every session is saved so you can review past readings later.
🚀What's new & in progress
Hearing Risk insights
An optional panel estimates noise dose and a projected 8-hour time-weighted average with health tips — viewing it is always free, and Pro removes ads and unlocks pass-free PDF exports.
14-language support
The app is available in 14 languages and works fully offline — it never records or uploads audio.
✨Why Choose Sound Meter?
Live Decibel Readings
See a real-time dB reading on a 0-130 dB scale with a sound level guide comparing it to everyday references like a whisper or traffic.
Session Tracking
Start a session to capture maximum, minimum and average sound levels along with a live waveform.
Hearing Risk Insights
Estimate noise dose and a projected 8-hour average exposure — viewing insights is always free; Pro adds unlimited background measuring and pass-free PDF exports.
Session History
Every measurement session is saved automatically so you can review past readings.
Optional Calibration
Calibrate the microphone reading against a reference meter in Settings for a closer estimate.
14 Languages
The full app, including the sound level guide and insights, is translated into 14 languages.
🛠️Key Features
Decibel Meter
Live dB readings on a 0-130 dB scale, read from your phone's built-in microphone.
Live Waveform & Sound Guide
Watch the sound level move in real time and compare it against everyday reference levels.
Session Statistics
Max, min, average and Leq (average exposure) for every recorded session.
Hearing Risk Insights
Estimated noise dose and a projected 8-hour time-weighted average, with health guidance — viewing is always free; Pro removes ads and the pass requirement for diary and night-report PDF exports.
Session History
Browse and revisit every past measurement session.
Microphone Calibration
Fine-tune the reading against a known reference in Settings for closer estimates.
⚠️Limitations
- Your phone's microphone is not a calibrated Class 1 or Class 2 sound level meter; readings are an estimate, and accuracy varies by device and microphone.
- Calibrating against a reference meter in Settings improves the estimate but does not make it a certified measurement.
- The app is not intended for occupational safety or regulatory compliance decisions — see our [decibel levels and exposure limits chart](/guides/decibel-levels-chart) for reference values from NIOSH and OSHA.
📚Guides
How to Measure Sound Levels with Your Phone
Learn to measure decibel levels using your smartphone. Understand noise levels, protect your hearing, and use your phone as a sound level meter.
Decibel Levels Chart: How Loud Is That Sound?
A decibel levels chart for common everyday sounds, plus the NIOSH, OSHA and WHO noise exposure limits that explain when a sound becomes a hearing-health risk.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are the decibel readings?
Sound Meter gives a real-time estimate using your phone's built-in microphone on a 0-130 dB scale. Unless you calibrate it yourself against a reference meter in Settings, treat readings as a helpful estimate rather than a certified measurement — the app is not intended for occupational safety or regulatory compliance decisions.
Can I calibrate the app?
Yes. Settings includes a calibration option that lets you adjust the reading against a known reference sound meter for a closer estimate.
What is Leq and why does it matter?
Leq is the average sound level over your measurement session. It's a better indicator of overall exposure than a single peak reading, which is why it's included in your session statistics.
What are Hearing Risk Insights?
An optional panel that estimates your noise dose and projects an 8-hour time-weighted average from your session, along with general hearing-health tips. It's informational, not a medical or occupational assessment.
Do I have to pay to see Hearing Risk Insights?
No. Viewing your noise dose, projected 8-hour exposure and health tips is free for everyone. Sound Meter Pro removes ads and unlocks pass-free PDF exports (noise diary, night reports), unlimited background measuring beyond 10 minutes, and unlimited saved places with trend sparklines.
Does the app record or upload audio?
No. Sound Meter only reads the live sound level to calculate a decibel value — it does not record, save or upload any audio.
Does Sound Meter work offline?
Yes, all measuring, session tracking and history work fully offline with no internet connection required.
Can I review past sessions?
Yes. Every session you run is automatically saved to History, where you can review max, min, average and Leq values later.
What does Sound Meter Pro include?
Pro removes all ads, lifts the 10-minute limit on background measuring, lets you export noise diary and night-report PDFs and your session report without spending a pass, keeps more than 3 nights of night-report history, and unlocks unlimited saved places with trend sparklines. Subscription and lifetime options are available in the app.
How do I contact support?
Open the app's Settings menu and use the Contact Support or Feedback option to reach the Sound Meter team directly.
🔒Privacy & Security
✓Microphone used for measurement only
✓No audio recording or storage
✓Data stays on your device
✓Ads and anonymous usage analytics support the free version
Ready to try Sound Meter?
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