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How loud is a chainsaw?

98.5–112dBAat the operator

Petrol chainsaws measured near the operator at full throttle reached maximum levels of 105.0 to 108.6 dBA in a study of university groundskeepers, and landscapers using gas chainsaws averaged 98.5 dBA over the task. ASHA's noise chart lists a chainsaw at 112 dBA.

Level
98.5–112 dBAA-weighted sound level
Daily limit
56 s a dayNIOSH, at the loud end
Versus conversation
18,836× energyabout 19.4× as loud

What the numbers mean

How it was measured. Petrol chainsaws: mean task exposure from personal dosimeters on landscapers (98.5 dBA); maximum levels at full throttle measured with a sound level meter (105 to 108.6 dBA); ASHA chart figure of 112 dBA (distance not stated).

In the groundskeeper study, a Stihl MS261 had the highest maximum level of any tool measured, 108.6 dBA at full throttle, and an Echo CS-530 measured 105.0 dBA. A NIOSH Science Blog summary of the same work gives chainsaws as 105 to 109 dBA. Averaged over real tasks, which include idling and pauses, gas chainsaws gave landscapers a mean of 98.5 dBA.

Battery power makes a large difference: the same landscaping study measured a mean of 81.1 dBA for battery chainsaws, against 98.5 dBA for gas saws. Distance helps too: the US Federal Highway Administration's construction database gives a measured Lmax of 84 dBA at 50 ft (15 m) for chainsaws.

How long is safe?

NIOSH recommends no more than 56 s a day at 112 dBA (21 min at 98.5). OSHA's legal limit is 23 min.

LevelNIOSH limit (85 dBA, 3 dB rule)OSHA limit (90 dBA, 5 dB rule)UK/EU 80 dB(A) action value reached afterUK/EU 85 dB(A) action value reached after
98.5 dBA21 min2 h 28 min6 min 47 s21 min
112 dBA56 s23 min18 s57 s

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

Earmuffs (often built into forestry helmets) are standard kit for chainsaw work. Consider a battery saw for occasional jobs: about 17 dB quieter on average in one study.

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).

  • Train horn (96–110 dBA): this has about 1.7× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
  • Nightclub (94–112.4 dBA): this has about 1.6× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
  • MRI scanner (102–115.8 dBA): it has about 2.3× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
  • Crying baby (99–120 dBA max): it has about 2.7× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
  • Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 18,836× its energy and sounds about 19.4× as loud.

Questions

How many decibels is a chainsaw?

Petrol chainsaws reached 105 to 108.6 dBA at full throttle near the operator in one study, and averaged 98.5 dBA over real landscaping tasks.

Are battery chainsaws quieter?

Yes. Landscapers using battery chainsaws averaged 81.1 dBA against 98.5 dBA with gas chainsaws.

How loud is a chainsaw from 50 ft away?

The FHWA construction noise database gives a measured maximum of 84 dBA at 50 ft (15 m).

Sources

  1. Assessment of Occupational Noise Exposure among Groundskeepers in North Carolina Public Universities, Environmental Health Insights (2016), open access via PMC. Supports: max 108.6 dBA.The STIHL MS261 chainsaw has the highest maximum SPL measured at full throttle (108.6 dBA), followed by the STIHL BR 600 leaf blower (105.9 dBA) and wood chipper (105.7 dBA).Checked 2026-11-03.
  2. Assessment of Occupational Noise Exposure among Groundskeepers in North Carolina Public Universities, Environmental Health Insights (2016), open access via PMC. Supports: max 105.0 dBA.Echo CS-530 105.0Checked 2026-11-03.
  3. Hazardous exposures and engineering controls in the landscaping services industry, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (2025), open access via PMC. Supports: dB_low: 98.5 dBA gas; body: battery 81.1 dBA.The mean noise exposure of 98.5 dBA from a gas chainsaw ( n = 30) was higher ( p < 0.003) than that from a battery chainsaw (81.1 dBA, n = 11).Checked 2026-11-03.
  4. Grounds for Change: Reducing Noise Exposure in Grounds Management Professionals - Part 1, NIOSH Science Blog, CDC (archived copy). Supports: body: 105-109 dBA.Chainsaw 105-109Checked 2026-11-03.
  5. Loud Noise Dangers (noise chart), asha.org public information page (credited to the Communication Health Support Association). Supports: dB_high: 112 dBA.112 dBA = maximum output of some personal audio devices (e.g. smartphone with earbuds), music concert, chainsawChecked 2026-11-03.
  6. Construction Noise Handbook, 9.0 Construction Equipment Noise Levels and Ranges, Federal Highway Administration (US Department of Transportation). Supports: body: measured Lmax 84 dBA at 50 ft.Chain Saw No 20 85 84 46Checked 2026-11-03.

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.