How loud is an MRI scan?
An MRI scan is roughly 102 to 116 dBA inside the scanner. Worst-case sequences on a 1.5 tesla scanner reached 102 to 103 dBA in the bore, and a 3 tesla scanner produced equivalent levels of 110.0 to 115.8 dBA, with unweighted peaks up to 130.7 dB. That is why patients are always given hearing protection.
- Level
- 102–115.8 dBAA-weighted sound level
- Daily limit
- 23 s a dayNIOSH, at the loud end
- Versus conversation
- 43,652× energyabout 24.9× as loud
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. 1.5 T scanner with worst-case pulse sequences measured at the bore entrance and centre (102 to 103 dBA, Radiology 1994); 3 T scanner equivalent levels 110.0 to 115.8 dBA (Nagoya J Med Sci 2007). Peaks reach 130.7 dB unweighted.
The knocking and buzzing of an MRI comes from the gradient coils. Rapidly switching currents in a very strong magnetic field create forces that make the coils flex, turning the scanner into a loudspeaker. Stronger magnets and faster sequences mean more noise.
Shellock and colleagues (Radiology, 1994) measured six worst-case sequences on a 1.5 T scanner and recorded up to 102 dBA at the entrance and exit of the bore and 103 dBA at the centre, from a gradient-echo sequence. A 2007 study of a 3 T scanner found equivalent noise levels of 110.0 dBA (FLAIR) to 115.8 dBA (T1-IR), above the 99 dB level regulated by the International Electrotechnical Commission, with unweighted peaks of 125.7 to 130.7 dB.
At 7 T, a 2025 study measured peak levels of 116.3 dBA and 123.7 dBA for two standard sequences, which software noise-reduction settings cut to 97.0 and 101.5 dBA.
How long is safe?
NIOSH recommends no more than 23 s a day at 115.8 dBA (9 min 27 s at 102). OSHA's legal limit is 13 min.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 102 dBA | 9 min 27 s | 1 h 31 min | 3 min 2 s | 9 min 35 s |
| 115.8 dBA | 23 s | 13 min | 8 s | 24 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 having MRI scans are given ear protection like adults; ask whether quieter sequences or headphones with music are available.
Protecting your hearing
Always wear the earplugs and headphones provided, and push foam earplugs in fully. The 3 T study found using both together reduced perceived loudness significantly more than either alone.
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).
- Ambulance siren (104–108 dBA): this has about 1.9× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Tank (moving) (96–117 dBA): this has about 1.7× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Concorde (109.5–112.9 dBA max): it has about 1.7× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Dog barking (104–118.9 dBA max): it has about 1.8× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 43,652× its energy and sounds about 24.9× as loud.
Questions
Why is an MRI so loud?
The gradient coils vibrate as their current switches rapidly inside the strong magnetic field. Levels of 102 to 116 dBA have been measured.
Can an MRI damage your hearing?
Without protection it could, as levels exceed 100 dBA. With the earplugs and headphones provided, the risk is low.
Is a 3T MRI louder than a 1.5T?
Yes. The 2007 study found the 3 T scanner louder than the 1.5 T in all sequences.
Sources
- Measurement of acoustic noise during MR imaging: evaluation of six "worst-case" pulse sequences, Radiology. Supports: dB_low: 102 to 103 dBA at 1.5 T.
was 102 dB at the entrance and exit of the magnet bore and 103 dB at the center (A-weighted scale)
Checked 2026-11-02. - Measurement and evaluation of the acoustic noise of a 3 Tesla MR scanner, Nagoya Journal of Medical Science. Supports: dB_high: 115.8 dBA at 3 T.
The equivalent noise level was from 110.0 dB for FLAIR to 115.8 dB for T1-IR on the A-weighted scale
Checked 2026-11-02. - Measurement and evaluation of the acoustic noise of a 3 Tesla MR scanner, Nagoya Journal of Medical Science. Supports: unweighted peaks 125.7 to 130.7 dB.
The peak sound pressure level of 3T ranged from 125.7 dB for MR angiography to 130.7 dB for single shot EPI on the linear scale.
Checked 2026-11-02. - Evaluation of Software-Optimized Protocols for Acoustic Noise Reduction During Brain MRI at 7 Tesla, Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Supports: 7 T peaks 116.3 dBA, reduced to 97.0 dBA.
SofTone significantly reduced peak SPLs: from 116.3 to 97.0 dBA
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.