How loud is a balloon popping?
A balloon burst right beside the ear can peak at about 168 dB. University of Alberta researchers measured a mean peak of 167.82 dB SPL when 9-inch party balloons were inflated until they ruptured at the microphone, louder than a 12-gauge shotgun.
- Level
- 168 dB peakunweighted peak sound pressure level
- Distance
- 0 mat the ear (0 m from the microphone)
- Daily limit
- No safe unprotected exposureimpulse noise
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. Mean peak SPL of standard 9-inch party balloons blown up until they burst at the entrance of a high-pressure measurement microphone (10 trials); pin-popped and crushed balloons were lower.
Audiologist Bill Hodgetts and engineer Dylan Scott burst balloons three ways: inflated until they ruptured, crushed, and pin popped. The worst case was a balloon inflated to rupture at the entrance of the microphone, the equivalent of blowing one up until it pops beside someone's ear, with a mean peak of 167.82 dB.
Crushed and pin-popped balloons were lower, and levels fell as the balloon moved further from the microphone (they also measured at 0.5 m, 1 m and 2 m). By their calculations adults might tolerate 2 to 3 such exposures, but not even one would be considered safe for a child at that distance.
How dangerous is a 168 dB peak?
A peak of 168 dB is at or above 140 dB, the impulse limit used by NIOSH and OSHA and the EU and UK exposure limit value. A single exposure at close range can damage hearing.
| Rule | Peak limit | This sound |
|---|---|---|
| UK and EU lower exposure action value | 135 dB(C) | Above |
| UK and EU upper exposure action value | 137 dB(C) | Above |
| UK and EU exposure limit value; NIOSH and OSHA impulse ceiling | 140 dB | Above |
Children
Children's parties are the main exposure: stamping or squeezing balloons next to small ears produces impulse peaks well above the 140 dB limit used in workplace rules.
Protecting your hearing
Do not pop balloons near anyone's ears, let them deflate instead, and keep small children away from balloon-stomping games.
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.
Questions
Is a balloon pop really as loud as a gunshot?
In this study, a balloon inflated until it burst at the ear peaked near 168 dB, about four decibels louder than a 12-gauge shotgun.
Is popping a balloon with a pin quieter?
Yes, pin-popped and crushed balloons were lower in peak level than balloons inflated until they burst.
Sources
- Science Matters: balloon popping and impulse noise, Canadian Audiologist, Vol. 3 Issue 6 (2016). Supports: 167.82 dB peak (rounded to 168).
Mean peak SPL in this scenario was 167.82 dB with a standard deviation of 3.75 dB.
Checked 2026-11-02. - Science Matters: balloon popping and impulse noise, Canadian Audiologist, Vol. 3 Issue 6 (2016). Supports: child risk.
However, for the children, not even 1 exposure would be considered safe when a balloon is inflated to rupture near the ear.
Checked 2026-11-02. - Popping balloons can be as loud as a shotgun, ScienceDaily (University of Alberta release). Supports: almost 168 dB.
The loudest bang was made by the ruptured balloon at almost 168 decibels, four decibels louder than a 12-gauge shotgun.
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.