How Loud Is My Street?
You Googled it because you want to know. Maybe you're considering a new apartment. Maybe you can't sleep. Maybe you just want proof that your street is unreasonably loud. DecibelMap gives you real numbers.
🗺️ Check Your Street NowSearch any address on the interactive noise map
How to Check Noise Levels at Any Address
1
Open the Map
Go to DecibelMap.com — it's a full interactive map of the world.
2
Search Your Address
Type any street address, city, or landmark in the search bar. The map flies to that location.
3
Check Existing Readings
If someone has already measured noise near your address, you'll see colored dots with dB numbers. Tap any dot to see details.
4
Or Measure It Yourself
Tap the 🎤 button. Your phone's microphone measures ambient noise for 5 seconds and pins the reading to your GPS location. Takes 10 seconds total.
No audio is ever recorded or stored. Only the decibel number and your GPS coordinates are saved. Your microphone is active for exactly 5 seconds, then released.
What's a Normal Noise Level for a Street?
| Street Type | Typical dB | What It Means |
|---|
| Quiet residential | 30–45 dB | You can hear birds, leaves, your own breathing |
| Suburban side street | 45–55 dB | Occasional car passes, otherwise calm |
| Moderate urban | 55–65 dB | Steady background hum, can still talk normally |
| Busy road | 65–75 dB | Need to raise your voice, hard to ignore |
| Major highway/airport | 75–85+ dB | Constant noise, stressful, health risk over time |
Why the Same Street Sounds Different at Different Times
A street that measures 48 dB on a Tuesday at 2 PM might hit 72 dB on a Friday at midnight if there are bars nearby. Morning rush hour, school pickup, garbage collection, nightlife — noise changes dramatically by time of day.
This is why a single apartment showing doesn't tell you the whole story. You need readings at multiple times to understand what living there actually sounds like.
Take readings at 4 different times: morning (7-9 AM), midday (11-1 PM), evening rush (5-7 PM), and night (9-11 PM). Each takes 10 seconds.
Common Questions
How accurate is a phone microphone for measuring noise?
Phone microphones aren't lab-calibrated, but they're consistent enough for comparative measurements. The readings are within ±3-5 dB of professional equipment for most phones. More importantly, they're accurate for relative comparison — telling you which streets are louder than others.
What noise level makes it hard to sleep?
The World Health Organization recommends under 40 dB for healthy sleep. Most people start having trouble above 50 dB. Above 60 dB, you'll likely need earplugs or a white noise machine. For context, a busy road one block away typically measures 55-65 dB with windows open.
Can I check noise before signing a lease?
Absolutely — that's the primary use case. Visit the address at different times of day and take readings with DecibelMap. Or search the address on the map to see if anyone has already measured nearby. A 5-minute investment can save you 12 months of regret.
Why isn't there data for my street yet?
DecibelMap is crowdsourced — every reading comes from a real person. If your street doesn't have data yet, you can be the first to measure it. Your reading helps the next person who searches for that area.
Explore More
🎤 Measure Your Street in 5 SecondsOpen the map → tap record → done