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How loud is a microwave?

55–59dBAin the kitchen (distance not stated)

A running microwave oven is about 55 to 59 dBA according to the 'Counting Decibels' household table in Environmental Health Perspectives, a little quieter than normal conversation.

Level
55–59 dBAA-weighted sound level
Daily limit
No daily limitNIOSH, at the loud end
Versus conversation
1/3.5 energyabout 1.5× quieter

What the numbers mean

How it was measured. Microwave running (fan, turntable motor and transformer hum), from a compiled household table; distance not stated, figures approximate. The end-of-cycle beep is not included.

While it runs, a microwave's sound is mostly its cooling fan, the turntable motor and the hum of the high-voltage transformer. The Environmental Health Perspectives table, compiled from NIDCD, EPA and Noise Pollution Clearinghouse figures, lists microwave ovens at 55 to 59 dBA and notes that the measurements are approximate.

That puts a microwave just below normal conversation (55 to 65 dBA in the same table) and well below a vacuum cleaner. The beep at the end is a separate, short tone that is not covered by this figure.

Is it safe?

Below 85 dBA, the level NIOSH allows for a full 8-hour day. At this level, sound is not a hearing risk however long it lasts, though it can still disturb sleep or concentration.

Protecting your hearing

No hearing protection is needed.

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).

  • Open-plan office (49–55 dBA): this has about 3.2× its sound energy and sounds about 1.4× as loud.
  • Snoring (45–61.7 dBA max): this has about 2.3× its sound energy and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
  • Dishwasher (38–85 dBA): it has about 2.8× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.4× as loud.
  • Electric car (warning sound) (50–75 dBA): it has about 3.5× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.5× as loud.
  • Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): conversation has about 3.5× the energy of this.

Questions

Is a microwave louder than a fridge?

Yes. The Environmental Health Perspectives table gives 55 to 59 dBA for a microwave and 40 to 43 dBA for a refrigerator.

Is microwave noise harmful?

No. At 55 to 59 dBA it is below normal conversation and far below the 85 dBA level used for workplace hearing limits.

Sources

  1. Decibel Hell: The Effects of Living in a Noisy World, Environmental Health Perspectives (NIEHS). Supports: dB_low/dB_high: 55 to 59 dBA.Microwave oven 55–59Checked 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.