How loud is a Formula 1 race?
During the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, sound readings around Albert Park Lake peaked at 121.8 dB (A-weighted), compared with 66.6 dB before the event. The researchers describe the racing cars as able to exceed 120 dB at 20 m.
- Level
- 121.8 dBA maxA-weighted maximum sound level
- Daily limit
- 6 s a dayNIOSH, at the loud end
- Versus conversation
- 851,138× energyabout 61.0× as loud
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. Highest of 30-second A-weighted, slow-response readings at seven points around Albert Park Lake during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix weekend (includes support races). The study's description says racing vehicles can exceed 120 dB at 20 m.
The measurements come from a study of the black swans that live on Albert Park Lake, which the circuit surrounds. Researchers took 30-second readings with an A-weighted, slow-response sound level meter at seven points around the lake. The maximum recorded during the Grand Prix was 121.8 dB, against 66.6 dB before the event and 73.3 dB after it.
Averaged over the sampling period, levels during the Grand Prix were 73.0 dB, 12 to 16 dB higher than before or after, because racing only fills part of each day. The paper notes the cars generate noise for up to six hours a day and can exceed 120 dB at 20 m. The swans did not leave the lake and their everyday behaviour did not measurably change, although their stress hormone levels varied modestly.
How long is safe?
NIOSH recommends no more than 6 s a day at 121.8 dBA. OSHA's legal limit is 5 min 51 s. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 121.8 dBA | 6 s | 5 min 51 s | 2 s | 6 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
Children at a Grand Prix need well-fitting earmuffs; readings near the track passed 120 dB.
Protecting your hearing
Wear earplugs or earmuffs at the circuit, especially near the track, and bring proper earmuffs for children.
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).
- Police siren (115–120 dBA): this has about 2.7× its sound energy and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
- Earbuds at full volume (115.5–120 dBA): this has about 2.5× its sound energy and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
- Basketball arena (record) (129.2–130.4 dBA max): it has about 6.3× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.7× as loud.
- Jackhammer (130 dBA): it has about 6.6× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.8× as loud.
- Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 851,138× its energy and sounds about 61.0× as loud.
Questions
How loud is a Formula 1 car?
Around Melbourne's Albert Park circuit, readings peaked at 121.8 dB (A-weighted) during the Grand Prix, and the cars are described as exceeding 120 dB at 20 m.
How much louder is a race weekend than normal?
Peak readings went from 66.6 dB before the event to 121.8 dB during it.
Sources
- Population, behavioural and physiological responses of an urban population of black swans to an intense annual noise event, PLoS ONE (2012). Supports: 121.8 dB maximum.
maximum noise levels recorded during the GP (121.8 dB) were almost twice as high as those recorded before (66.6 dB) or after (73.3 dB) after the event
Checked 2026-11-03. - Population, behavioural and physiological responses of an urban population of black swans to an intense annual noise event, PLoS ONE (2012). Supports: A-weighted, slow response.
Readings were taken for 30 s using a Lutron SL-4001 Sound Level Meter and a slow response measurement with "A" weighting.
Checked 2026-11-03. - Population, behavioural and physiological responses of an urban population of black swans to an intense annual noise event, PLoS ONE (2012). Supports: over 120 dB at 20 m.
the racing vehicles generate noise for up to six hours per day that can exceed 120 dB at 20 m
Checked 2026-11-03. - Population, behavioural and physiological responses of an urban population of black swans to an intense annual noise event, PLoS ONE (2012). Supports: 73.0 dB mean.
Mean noise levels during the GP sampling period (73.0±1.5 dB)
Checked 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.