How loud are fireworks?
A big fireworks display measured about 108 to 116 dBA at its loudest moments from around 100 m away, in a Japanese study of a 30,000-shell display. The average over 10-minute periods at night was 95 dB, and the researchers estimated launch noise at the firing site of 133 dB.
- Level
- 108–116 dBA maxA-weighted maximum sound level
- Distance
- 100 mabout 100 m from the launch site
- Daily limit
- 22 s a dayNIOSH, at the loud end
- Versus conversation
- 89,125× energyabout 30.9× as loud
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. Night-time LAmax (fast) of a large Japanese fireworks display (about 30,000 devices) measured about 100 m from the launch site; Leq over 10-minute periods was 89 to 97 dB.
Researchers measured A-weighted levels about 100 m from the launch site of a display in 2013. At night the maximum LAmax was 116 dB, the minimum 108 dB and the average 112 dB, while the 10-minute Leq averaged 95 dB. Low-frequency sound peaked at 125 dB.
Close to the mortars it is much louder. From the measurements the authors estimated launch noise at the firing site of 133 dB, which is why they recommend that pyrotechnicians wear hearing protection and fire remotely.
Consumer fireworks set off in a garden are a different hazard: firecrackers produce peaks of over 140 dB within a few metres (see firecrackers).
How long is safe?
NIOSH recommends no more than 22 s a day at 116 dBA (2 min 22 s at 108). OSHA's legal limit is 13 min. This is a maximum, so a time limit based on it is a worst case.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 108 dBA | 2 min 22 s | 40 min | 46 s | 2 min 24 s |
| 116 dBA | 22 s | 13 min | 7 s | 23 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.
Children
Young children are often frightened by fireworks and are best kept well back with ear defenders. Distance from the launch site is the biggest factor.
Pets
Fireworks are loud enough to carry far beyond the display site; keep pets indoors with windows and curtains closed and a familiar hiding place.
Protecting your hearing
Watch from as far back as you can; at 100 m peaks were still 108 to 116 dBA. Bring earplugs or ear defenders for children, and never stand near the launch area.
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).
- MRI scanner (102–115.8 dBA): this has about 2× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Crying baby (99–120 dBA max): this has about 1.8× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Police siren (115–120 dBA): it has about 3.5× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.5× as loud.
- Earbuds at full volume (115.5–120 dBA): it has about 3.8× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.5× as loud.
- Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 89,125× its energy and sounds about 30.9× as loud.
Questions
How loud are fireworks from the crowd?
About 108 to 116 dBA at the loudest moments, measured about 100 m from a large display.
How loud is it at the launch site?
The study estimated launch noise at the firing site of 133 dB.
Sources
- Noise and low-frequency sound levels due to aerial fireworks and prediction of the occupational exposure of pyrotechnicians to noise, Journal of Occupational Health (2016). Supports: 108-116 dB LAmax.
The maximum L max for the night-time was 116 dB, with a minimum of 108 dB and an average of 112±2.7 dB (SD).
Checked 2026-11-02. - Noise and low-frequency sound levels due to aerial fireworks and prediction of the occupational exposure of pyrotechnicians to noise, Journal of Occupational Health (2016). Supports: A-weighting.
Noise was measured as A-weighted sound pressure level using a precision sound level meter
Checked 2026-11-02. - Noise and low-frequency sound levels due to aerial fireworks and prediction of the occupational exposure of pyrotechnicians to noise, Journal of Occupational Health (2016). Supports: distance 100 m.
Data on firework noise and low-frequency sounds were obtained at a point located approximately 100 m away from the launch site
Checked 2026-11-02. - Noise and low-frequency sound levels due to aerial fireworks and prediction of the occupational exposure of pyrotechnicians to noise, Journal of Occupational Health (2016). Supports: 133 dB at launch site.
The launching noise level predicted from the sounds (85 dB) at the noise measurement point was 133 dB.
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.