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How loud is a jackhammer?

130dBAat the operator (typical chart figure)

NIOSH and ASHA both put a jackhammer at about 130 dBA for the operator. At a distance, the US Federal Highway Administration's construction database gives a measured maximum of 89 dBA at 50 ft (15 m), averaged over 133 samples.

Level
130 dBAA-weighted sound level
Daily limit
under 1 s a dayNIOSH, at the loud end
Versus conversation
5.6 million× energyabout 107.6× as loud

What the numbers mean

How it was measured. Typical operator-level figure given by NIOSH and ASHA (130 dBA) and a US Army chart (pneumatic hammer 130 dB, weighting not stated); exact distance not stated. Measured values at 50 ft are given in the body.

NIOSH's Science Blog uses the jackhammer as its 130 dBA reference point, ASHA's chart lists 130 dBA, and an older US Army fact sheet puts a pneumatic hammer at 130.

For neighbours and passers-by the level drops with distance: the FHWA Roadway Construction Noise Model lists a measured Lmax of 89 dBA at 50 ft from 133 samples on the Central Artery/Tunnel (CA/T) project, and the Federal Transit Administration's table gives 88 dBA typical at 50 ft.

How long is safe?

NIOSH recommends no more than under 1 s a day at 130 dBA. OSHA's legal limit is 1 min 53 s.

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
130 dBAunder 1 s1 min 53 sunder 1 sunder 1 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

Operators need hearing protection, ideally plugs plus muffs for long spells. For bystanders, distance and barriers help; machine-mounted breakers on an excavator with a good cab take the operator away from the tool.

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).

  • Vuvuzela (113–131 dBA max): this has about 6.3× its sound energy and sounds about 1.7× as loud.
  • Motocross and monster truck show (120–125 dBA max): this has about 5.6× its sound energy and sounds about 1.7× as loud.
  • Stadium crowd (record) (142.2 dBA max): it has about 17× the sound energy of this and sounds about 2.3× as loud.
  • Aircraft carrier flight deck (130–160 dBA): it has about 32× the sound energy of this and sounds about 2.8× as loud.
  • Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 5.6 million× its energy and sounds about 107.6× as loud.

Questions

How many decibels is a jackhammer?

About 130 dBA for the operator, according to NIOSH and ASHA, and about 88 to 89 dBA at 50 ft (15 m).

How loud is roadwork from the pavement?

Measured jackhammer noise at 50 ft averaged 89 dBA (maximum level) in the FHWA construction database.

Sources

  1. Grounds for Change: Reducing Noise Exposure in Grounds Management Professionals - Part 1, NIOSH Science Blog, CDC (archived copy). Supports: dB_low/high: 130 dBA.a jackhammer is about 130 dBAChecked 2026-11-03.
  2. Loud Noise Dangers (noise chart), asha.org public information page (credited to the Communication Health Support Association). Supports: dB_low/high: 130 dBA.130 dBA = jackhammerChecked 2026-11-03.
  3. Noise and Hearing Loss, fact sheet 51-001-0902, US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (archived 2004). Supports: body: pneumatic hammer 130.Pneumatic Hammer, Metal Spraying — 130Checked 2026-11-03.
  4. Construction Noise Handbook, 9.0 Construction Equipment Noise Levels and Ranges, Federal Highway Administration (US Department of Transportation). Supports: body: measured Lmax 89 dBA at 50 ft, 133 samples.Jackhammer Yes 20 85 89 133Checked 2026-11-03.
  5. Construction Noise Handbook, 9.0 Construction Equipment Noise Levels and Ranges, Federal Highway Administration (US Department of Transportation). Supports: body: 88 dBA typical at 50 ft (FTA).Jack Hammer 88Checked 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.