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How loud is a cat purring?

67.8dBA maxdistance not stated

The loudest purr by a domestic cat on record is 67.8 dBA, according to Guinness World Records. It was set by Smokey in Northampton in 2011 and equalled by Merlin in Torquay in 2015; an ordinary purr is much quieter.

Level
67.8 dBA maxA-weighted maximum sound level
Daily limit
No daily limitNIOSH, at the loud end
Versus conversation
3.4× energyabout 1.4× as loud

What the numbers mean

How it was measured. Guinness World Records record for the loudest purr by a domestic cat: 67.8 dBA, set by Smokey (Northampton, UK, 25 March 2011) and equalled by Merlin (Torquay, UK, 2 April 2015). Measurement distance not stated. Typical purrs are quieter; no measured typical level was found.

Guinness World Records lists the loudest purr by a domestic cat at 67.8 dB (A-weighted). Smokey, owned by Lucinda Ruth Adams, set it at Spring Hill farm near Northampton on 25 March 2011, at home where Guinness says the cat felt relaxed and happy. Merlin, owned by Tracy Westwood, equalled it in Torquay, Devon, on 2 April 2015, aged 13.

For comparison, CDC lists normal conversation at 60 dB and a washing machine or dishwasher at 70 dB, so a record-breaking purr falls between the two. Guinness does not state the measurement distance, and a purr measured with the meter close to the cat will read higher than one heard across a room.

Is it safe?

Below 85 dBA, the level NIOSH allows for a full 8-hour day. At this level, sound is not a hearing risk however long it lasts, though it can still disturb sleep or concentration.

Protecting your hearing

No protection needed.

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).

  • Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 3.4× its sound energy and sounds about 1.4× as loud.
  • Washing machine (47–78 dBA): this has about 3.4× its sound energy and sounds about 1.4× as loud.
  • Alarm clock (60–80 dBA): it has about 1.7× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
  • Inside a car (65–77.2 dBA): it has about 2.1× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
  • Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 3.4× its energy and sounds about 1.4× as loud.

Questions

What is the loudest cat purr ever recorded?

67.8 dBA, by Smokey in 2011 and equalled by Merlin in 2015, according to Guinness World Records.

Is a cat purr louder than talking?

A record purr of 67.8 dBA is louder than the 60 dB CDC gives for normal conversation, but that is the world record; ordinary purrs are much quieter.

Sources

  1. Loudest purr by a domestic cat ever, Guinness World Records. Supports: dB_low/dB_high: 67.8 dB.The loudest purr by a domestic cat is 67.8 dB and was achieved by Smokey, owned by Lucinda Ruth Adams (UK) at Spring Hill farm, Pitsford, Northampton, UK, on 25 March 2011Checked 2026-11-02.
  2. Loudest purr by a domestic cat ever, Guinness World Records. Supports: weighting: A.67.8 decibel(s) (A-weighted)Checked 2026-11-02.
  3. Loudest purr by a domestic cat ever, Guinness World Records. Supports: body: Merlin aged 13.Merlin was 13 years old at the time of its record.Checked 2026-11-02.
  4. What Noises Cause Hearing Loss? (archived copy, 31 Dec 2022), CDC National Center for Environmental Health. Supports: body: conversation comparison.Normal conversation, air conditioner 60Checked 2026-11-02.
  5. What Noises Cause Hearing Loss? (archived copy, 31 Dec 2022), CDC National Center for Environmental Health. Supports: body: dishwasher comparison.Washing machine, dishwasher 70Checked 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.