Is your room quiet enough for a call?
Background noise is the most common reason people sound bad on calls. A room under about 40 dB is great for meetings and recording. Between 40 and 50 dB your mic's noise suppression will cope. Above 50 dB, from fans, traffic or people talking, others will hear it. Measure while you sit where you take calls, then try closing a window, turning off a fan or moving away from the router hum.
How accurate is an online decibel meter?
This meter reads the level from your device's microphone and converts it to an estimated decibel value. Every microphone is different, so treat the number as a guide rather than a certified measurement. If you have a sound level meter or a known reference, use Calibration to match it. Readings are unweighted and update ten times a second. Nothing is recorded or uploaded.
Decibel meter questions
Can my phone measure decibels?
Yes, as an estimate. Your phone microphone picks up the sound level and this page converts it to decibels. Phones are usually within a few decibels in normal ranges, but very loud sounds may be limited by the mic.
What is a good noise level for video calls?
Under 40 dB is ideal. Up to about 50 dB is fine with noise suppression on in Zoom or Teams. Above that, people will hear the background.
Is the decibel meter recording me?
No. It only reads the sound level as it happens. No audio is stored or sent anywhere.
How loud is too loud?
Long exposure above 85 dB can damage hearing. If the meter often shows more than 85 dB where you work, consider hearing protection.
More free camera and audio tests
- Mic testCheck your microphone level and sound
- Speaker testLeft, right and bass test tones
- Headphone testLeft/right, stereo and phase check
- Webcam testSee how you look on Zoom, Teams and Meet
- Zoom camera testThe exact crop Zoom shows
- Webcam mirrorMirror with a screen ring light
- Webcam recorderRecord a test video with sound
- Internet speed testReady for HD video calls?
- TeleprompterRead your script next to the camera