How loud is a jet taking off?
At the official take-off noise point, 6.5 km from where the aircraft starts its roll, FAA estimates put the peak level of a fully loaded Boeing 737-800 at 76.8 dBA and an early Boeing 747-100 at 100.5 dBA. Newer, quieter engines and lighter aircraft give lower figures.
- Level
- 76.8–100.5 dBA maxA-weighted maximum sound level
- Daily limit
- 13 min a dayNIOSH, at the loud end
- Versus conversation
- 412× energyabout 6.1× as loud
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. FAA estimated maximum A-weighted levels at the 14 CFR Part 36 Appendix C take-off point (6,500 m from start of roll), at maximum take-off weight: Boeing 737-800 76.8 dBA, Airbus A320 77.3 dBA, Boeing 777-300 85.0 dBA, Boeing 747-100 100.5 dBA.
The FAA's Advisory Circular 36-3H lists estimated maximum A-weighted levels for hundreds of aircraft as they would occur during certification tests, at 6,500 metres from the start of the take-off roll. At maximum take-off weight the Boeing 737-800 (CFM56-7B24 engines) comes out at 76.8 dBA, the Airbus A320-232 at 77.3 dBA, the Boeing 777-300 with Trent 884 engines at 85.0 dBA, and the Boeing 747-100 with JT9D-7F engines at 100.5 dBA.
The FAA stresses that these are estimates for comparison rather than certificated values. Take-off noise falls substantially as take-off weight falls, and airlines often fly below maximum weight, so a real departure over the same point is often quieter. The gap between the 747-100 and large modern twin-jets such as the 777-300 shows how much engine technology has changed.
Near the runway, levels are far higher than at the 6.5 km point. Concorde, at the same point, was estimated at 112.9 dBA.
How long is safe?
NIOSH recommends no more than 13 min a day at 100.5 dBA (no limit at the quiet end, 76.8). OSHA's legal limit is 1 h 52 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76.8 dBA | No limit | No limit | Not reached in 24 h | Not reached in 24 h |
| 100.5 dBA | 13 min | 1 h 52 min | 4 min 17 s | 14 min |
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
If you live under a departure route, double glazing and keeping windows shut during the busiest departure times help most. On an airfield apron, follow the site's hearing protection rules; earmuffs are standard for ground crew.
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).
- Noisy toys (70–102 dBA): this has about 1.8× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Amusement arcade (83–89.4 dBA): this has about 1.7× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Petrol lawn mower (85.5–95.9 dBA): it has about 1.6× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Violin (80–105 dBA): it has about 2.4× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
- Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 412× its energy and sounds about 6.1× as loud.
Questions
How loud is a plane taking off?
At the standard certification point 6.5 km from the start of the take-off roll, FAA estimates range from 76.8 dBA for a Boeing 737-800 to 100.5 dBA for a Boeing 747-100.
Are newer planes quieter?
Yes. The 777-300, a large modern twin-jet, is estimated at 85.0 dBA at that point, against 100.5 dBA for the 747-100.
Why does the same plane sound different on different days?
Take-off noise is reduced substantially when take-off weight is lower, and the procedures flown also change the level.
Sources
- AC 36-3H Change 1: Estimated Airplane Noise Levels in A-Weighted Decibels, US Federal Aviation Administration. Supports: dB_low 76.8 dBA (737-800 take-off).
BOEING B-737-800 CFM56-7B24 174.20 76.8
Checked 2026-11-03. - AC 36-3H Change 1: Estimated Airplane Noise Levels in A-Weighted Decibels, US Federal Aviation Administration. Supports: dB_high 100.5 dBA (747-100 take-off).
BOEING B-747-100 JT9D-7F 750.00 100.5
Checked 2026-11-03. - AC 36-3H Change 1: Estimated Airplane Noise Levels in A-Weighted Decibels, US Federal Aviation Administration. Supports: A320 77.3 dBA.
AIRBUS A320-232 V2527-A5 182.98 77.3
Checked 2026-11-03. - AC 36-3H Change 1: Estimated Airplane Noise Levels in A-Weighted Decibels, US Federal Aviation Administration. Supports: 777-300 85.0 dBA.
BOEING B-777-300 RR TRENT 884 660.00 85.0
Checked 2026-11-03. - AC 36-3H Change 1: Estimated Airplane Noise Levels in A-Weighted Decibels, US Federal Aviation Administration. Supports: Concorde 112.9 dBA.
CONCORDE CONCORDE O-593/M-602 400.00 112.9
Checked 2026-11-03. - AC 36-3G: Estimated Airplane Noise Levels in A-Weighted Decibels, US Federal Aviation Administration. Supports: measurement position (OCR text of the FAA PDF).
6,500 metersfrom start of takeoff roll
Checked 2026-11-03. - AC 36-3G: Estimated Airplane Noise Levels in A-Weighted Decibels, US Federal Aviation Administration. Supports: effect of weight (OCR text of the FAA PDF).
takeoff noiselevelsare reducedsubstantiallyasaircraft takeoff weight is reduced
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.