How loud is an alarm clock?
An alarm clock is about 60 to 80 dBA according to the household 'Counting Decibels' table in Environmental Health Perspectives. That is louder than normal conversation, because it has to be noticed by someone who is asleep.
- Level
- 60–80 dBAA-weighted sound level
- Daily limit
- No daily limitNIOSH, at the loud end
- Versus conversation
- 5.6× energyabout 1.7× as loud
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. Bedside alarm clock sounding, from a compiled household table; distance not stated, figures approximate.
Alarm clocks use buzzers, bells or speakers designed to wake people, so they sit above conversation level. The Environmental Health Perspectives table, compiled from NIDCD, EPA and Noise Pollution Clearinghouse figures, gives 60 to 80 dBA and notes that the figures are approximate.
The level you actually hear depends on how close the clock is to your head and on the type of alarm: a mechanical twin-bell clock is generally harsher than a phone or radio alarm with adjustable volume.
How long is safe?
Below 85 dBA, the level NIOSH allows for a full 8-hour day.
| Level | NIOSH limit (85 dBA, 3 dB rule) | OSHA limit (90 dBA, 5 dB rule) | UK/EU 80 dB(A) action value reached after | UK/EU 85 dB(A) action value reached after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 dBA | No limit | No limit | Not reached in 24 h | Not reached in 24 h |
Times are for a whole day’s exposure, with the rest of the day quiet. The workplace limits were written for adults at work, not for children. Work out a mixed day with the noise dose calculator.
Protecting your hearing
No hearing protection is needed. If you need a very loud alarm, keep it at arm's length rather than beside your ear.
Earplug and earmuff ratings (NRR in the US, SNR in the UK and EU) are lab figures; real-world protection is usually lower. How to read the ratings.
Compared with sounds nearby
Using midpoints of each range. Energy multiplies by 10 every 10 dB; perceived loudness roughly doubles (why).
- Infant sleep machine (50–85 dBA): this has about 1.8× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Cat purring (67.8 dBA max): this has about 1.7× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Cinema (61–84 dBA): it has about 1.8× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- City street traffic (73.4 dBA): it has about 2.2× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
- Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 5.6× its energy and sounds about 1.7× as loud.
Questions
How loud should an alarm clock be?
Typical alarm clocks are 60 to 80 dBA according to the Environmental Health Perspectives table.
Is an alarm clock louder than a smoke alarm?
No. Alarm clocks are about 60 to 80 dBA, while smoke alarms are rated at 85 dB at 10 feet.
Sources
- Decibel Hell: The Effects of Living in a Noisy World, Environmental Health Perspectives (NIEHS). Supports: dB_low/dB_high: 60 to 80 dBA.
Alarm clock 60–80
Checked 2026-11-02.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have ringing in your ears, muffled hearing or any change in your hearing, see an audiologist or your doctor.